Geek Article System 3.52

IMPORTANT:
Please note that I can no longer support this project. Primarily as it is designed for vb3.0.x and I no longer use that version (im obviously on vb3.5x ). There is a version for vb3.5 however its a commercial script. This project is left here for the community.
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HowdA All.

The GAS3 system is a comprehensive article system that completely integrates into vB3.

News:

• Updated 3/08/05 to version 3.53 for compatability with vb3.08
• Updated 13/05/05 to version 3.52!!! Posts for 3.52 to integrate with GAL4.0 start here

History

Originally, I looked into other article systems to integrate with my forums but just got irritated over and over again as I found the other offering out there very limiting for my needs. I wanted to use my members usergroup permissions, the search facility (so when someone did a search for 'bob' both articles AND threads appeared on one page), I also wanted wysiwyg editing and vBs attachment system. Well, I accomplished 99% of my needs with the Geek Article System 2.0
Why 3.0? While the 2.0 was fine for my needs, many users began asking for a far more complex system that took the beauty of 2.0 and added popular features in the other article systems.

Here are the features in a nutshell:

• Integrates 100% into vB. No importing forums or creating special groups. Simply mark forum as an 'Article' forum and instantly all threads become articles. Dont like it anymore? Simply remove the ID and the therads and forums go back to normal.
• Whatever you can do in a thread or post, you can do with the GAS3 system (uploading attachments, smiles, BBcode, various editors, yadayadayada)
• Adding on the above point: all the differing vB editors (wysiwyg, etc..), usergroup permissions (heck - anything you can set for a forum you can set in this - AND MORE!) why> because it is totally integrated!
• Create multiple pages in your post by simply putting [BREAK] anywhere in your post.
• The first thumbnail in an article substitutes the posters avatar (switchable via admincp)
• Upload header images and have them auto resize
• Choose header images from a global (or forum specific) gallery
• Integrated article byline.
• Synopsis - allows users to give a summary that appears on the new forumdisplay
• New forumdisplay shows article header image and synopsis (if no synopsis then the first X amount of characters from the article is used)
• Synopisis allows BBCode
• Integrates with the Geek AutoLink system (optional)
• Allows you to post as other users
• Article sidebar that shows the article rating, your rating, the rating form, article tools, and article attachments (all toggable via admincp)
• An auto installer/upgrader/uninstaller that makes all file edits for you!
• A whole host of other tiddlybits that I wont bore you with

Special thanks goes to rlamego, peterska2, Snow, Gldtn, and Magic Spark for private Beta testing this for me. Couldnt of happened without them!

Change log
13.05.05 - updated to 3.52
All this does is update GAS for the GAL4.0 integration.
To update, simply replace your existing functions_geekarticles.php with the one in the latest package.

18.3.05 - updated to 3.51
This really just fixes a couple of mega minor bugs.
Added new default icon per forum functionality (see readme)
Wrote a real README.
Wrote a seperate 3.5x upgrade script. Users of 3.5x should run admincp/gas3_upgrade.php

16.3.05 - updated to 3.50
Loads of new features and a new installer that makes the file changes for you.
New forumdisplay
Uploading of images for your header
Synopsis box
yadayadayda

10.2.05 - updated to 3.02
Fixed typo in readme (step 2.6 referenced $articlebyline instead of $GAS_byline). This bug fixes the disappearing byline when editing an article.
To upgrade - edit your editpost template and search for $articlebyline then replace it with $GAS_byline

Importers
I have made an importer for v3articles. Technically speaking, you dont have to strictly have GAS3 installed to use the importer (though it is ideal). What it does is essentailly import v3articles, comments, ratings, and attachments into existing forums as new threads, replies, threadratings, and post attachments. The idea is that you install GAS3, create the forums to house your articles, and then import your existing v3articles into them (but as I said, you can simply import v3articles into normal forums without having GAS3 installed).
There is also a rollback feature in case you change your mind or experience a problem with the import. Your v3articles installation isnt touched. In fact, no v3articles are harmed in the process

Known issues:

• none that I am aware of.

Demos: (note that I have a custom skin, so your results will be ever so slightly different)
http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=11287
http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=8801 - pages with comments (click View Comments to see comments only)


Difficulty - EASY
Time - about 5 minutes
File modifications? a few but now all done automatically for you

Change log:

Updated to 3.01 Feb 7th
Fixed a couple template errors and minor readme instructions


Instructions

Click install. I have busted my butt over the past few weeks to do this and all I ask is that you click install if you use it

• Download the package and unzip.
• Follow the README!
• Ther installer does all the work for you
• When done, go into your admncp, and adjust your settings

Troubleshooting:

• No phrases after install? This happens a lot with many installers for some bizzare reason. All you have to do is do a phrase search for GAS_ , edit the phrase (dont change it), then save it. Bingo - all your phrases appear.

Also:

I would therefore backup your DB, your styles, and any of the files the README asks you to change.

nJoy

[juicie]

I've used the installer to install this, but I don't know what to edit in the admincp after I install it. What do I do? (BTW, this hack looks great!)

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by jaredvolkl

Was it just me or did anyone else have a problem with GAS after upgrading to 3.0.8. Right after I updated, the forums weren't showing up as articles anymore (I assume from file changes). In my efforts to correct the issue, I wiped out my GAS table and don't have a backup. I've just accepted the fact that I'll have to rebuild the table on my own, but I'm still having an issue just installing GAS again. I didn't install it to begin with so I'm a little fuzzy on how everything works. I believe it was hanging at step 708 if I remember right.

I thought the 3.0.8 only affected private.php and faq.php?

However if you did a full update and replaced the files that gas changes... then you will need to do a re-install of the file changes.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by juicie

I've used the installer to install this, but I don't know what to edit in the admincp after I install it. What do I do? (BTW, this hack looks great!)

You dont really need to edit anything in the admincp as that is already edited for you. Make sure you check the gas/changes/ folder for the modified files

hth's

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Originally Posted by The Geek

I thought the 3.0.8 only affected private.php and faq.php?

As posted in the announcement on vb.com:

Originally Posted by Kier

Files Changed Since 3.0.7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

attachment.php
calendar.php
editpost.php
external.php
faq.php
forumdisplay.php
global.php
index.php
newreply.php
poll.php
postings.php
printthread.php
private.php
profile.php
register.php
search.php
showthread.php
subscription.php
threadrate.php
usercp.php
usernote.php
admincp/accessmask.php
admincp/admincalendar.php
admincp/adminlog.php
admincp/adminreputation.php
admincp/backup.php
admincp/forumpermission.php
admincp/global.php
admincp/index.php
admincp/misc.php
admincp/moderator.php
admincp/options.php
admincp/profilefield.php
admincp/subscriptions.php
admincp/template.php
admincp/thread.php
admincp/user.php
admincp/usertools.php
archive/global.php
clientscript/vbulletin_global.js
clientscript/vbulletin_stdedit.js
includes/adminfunctions.php
includes/adminfunctions_template.php
includes/functions.php
includes/functions_bbcodeparse.php
includes/functions_calendar.php
includes/functions_cron.php
includes/functions_databuild.php
includes/functions_digest.php
includes/functions_file.php
includes/functions_forumdisplay.php
includes/functions_forumlist.php
includes/functions_newpost.php
includes/functions_online.php
includes/functions_search.php
includes/functions_showthread.php
includes/functions_subscriptions.php
includes/functions_upload.php
includes/functions_user.php
includes/sessions.php
modcp/banning.php
modcp/index.php
modcp/moderate.php
modcp/thread.php
modcp/user.php
subscriptions/authorize.php
subscriptions/nochex.php
subscriptions/paypal.php
subscriptions/worldpay.php

[The Geek]

yup. If you do a complete update you will over write all your gas file edits. You should just be able to rerun the file changing portion of the install and then bobs your uncle (or aunt).

[ihatetyping]

For a vBulletin beginner like myself & a total php idiot I just had to say: Geek this is the easiest & coolest hack I have been able to install!!Your personal web site is a real inspiration to me and I am very impressed with EVERYTHING I have read there!

I'm using vBadvanced CMPS & Gallery (the gallery is the main reason I'm using vBulletin) and your articles hack just makes it all look so professional that I have a hard time believing I had ANYTHING to do with installing it.

I could not get the "upload image" feature working on (vb3.07) my Linux, Windows or Apache2triad platforms no matter what I tried.
So I gave up and installed the newer vb3.08 and the "upload image" feature now works great anywhere I want to install it. (that is such a cool feature!!!)

Anyway I'm wanting to know how to get the same effect you have on your site where you have a articles forum that only the Admin can create articles but yet members can post reply's to. (I apologize now if I have missed this discussion/answer in any previous threads).

Thanks for ALL your hard work & great results!

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by ihatetyping

For a vBulletin beginner like myself & a total php idiot I just had to say: Geek this is the easiest & coolest hack I have been able to install!!Your personal web site is a real inspiration to me and I am very impressed with EVERYTHING I have read there!

I'm using vBadvanced CMPS & Gallery (the gallery is the main reason I'm using vBulletin) and your articles hack just makes it all look so professional that I have a hard time believing I had ANYTHING to do with installing it.

I could not get the "upload image" feature working on (vb3.07) my Linux, Windows or Apache2triad platforms no matter what I tried.
So I gave up and installed the newer vb3.08 and the "upload image" feature now works great anywhere I want to install it. (that is such a cool feature!!!)

Anyway I'm wanting to know how to get the same effect you have on your site where you have a articles forum that only the Admin can create articles but yet members can post reply's to. (I apologize now if I have missed this discussion/answer in any previous threads).

Thanks for ALL your hard work & great results!

hey there. Thanks for the kind remarks.

All that is just down to forum permissions. Create the forums you want as article forums and edit the permissions to whatever usergroup can post new threads (in this case articles).

Thanks again and nJoy

[ihatetyping]

Thanks for the quick reply & info Geek!

[chosos]

i just reinstalled my forums and GAS, however, I cannot seem to get a GAS link in the admincp. Any ideas?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by chosos

i just reinstalled my forums and GAS, however, I cannot seem to get a GAS link in the admincp. Any ideas?

check your gas/changed/ folder for the modified versions of the files (like admincp/index.php)

HTHs