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.
-----------------------
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

[The Geek]

thats why its appearing in the first post here as an addon

[yoyoyoyo]

Originally Posted by The Geek

thats why its appearing in the first post here as an addon

cool- it must take a bit for the cron job to catch up

[yoyoyoyo]

I updated the "Large Title over Articles" addon to version 1.1, which adds the optional ability to have the Article category appear before the Article title, like this: Article Category: Article Title

PS- When does a hack qualify for a PREMIUM ADDITION status? I think that nearly 1500 replies to this thread should put the Geek Article System in the running for consideration for that category!

[slim cutty]

I have chmod'd the respective image directories/folders to 0777 over and over again... and for some odd reason... I continue to get the forbidden 403 error with the litte box with the x ..lol

can somebody please tell me what the issue is, I've tried over and over for atleast 2 hours to get it right searched through a good bit of this thread for answers but no one seemed to have the same problem

Help Please! THanks

[yoyoyoyo]

Originally Posted by slim cutty

I have chmod'd the respective image directories/folders to 0777 over and over again... and for some odd reason... I continue to get the forbidden 403 error with the litte box with the x ..lol

can somebody please tell me what the issue is, I've tried over and over for atleast 2 hours to get it right searched through a good bit of this thread for answers but no one seemed to have the same problem

Help Please! THanks

Go to your CPanel and access the error logs and a more in-depth explanation as to what caused the error 403 will be displayed for each error you get. I had the same type of experience with a different hack, and the 777 was the problem. Many shared servers will not allow you to put permissions higher than 755. Try setting it to 755 and see if that helps, but as I said you error logs will tell you more.

[The Geek]

755 technically should work as long as the folders are owned by the php process (if I remember right). You may also have other safe mode type restrictions in place that can prevent the uploading of files (thats why the gallery aspect was so important for release). You may be best contacting your host to enquire about the problem. You may also want to double check that your paths in the settings are acurate.

yoyo - Ive wondered about that. My guess is that I dont think there is a 'minimum' as much as a 'request' to get into the premium forum. To be honest, Im not overly bothered about it. Some things would be easier if GAS had a forum - but not many. I kind of like having a 1,500 thread mack... it makes me feel like all manly and stuff

[SamirDarji]

Originally Posted by yoyoyoyo

PS- When does a hack qualify for a PREMIUM ADDITION status? I think that nearly 1500 replies to this thread should put the Geek Article System in the running for consideration for that category!

I second that motion. This is one of the most popular article hacks.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

The hack author must request the Premium status.

See: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=73723

[slim cutty]

in reference to chomod'ing gas folder and all it's contents to 777 or 755....
nothing seems to work, the default image shows in the pop up, but not on newthread.php?

I still get the box with the red X.. I've even tried moving the folders around in different areas. What the problem seems to be is when I upload an image it creates its own folder based on my ID, and that folder just will not allow me to view the picture, even when I copy and paste the direct URL. Funny thing is, when I place any random image via ftp anywhere outside the gas folder it shows with no problems. I'll keep working at this, I hope someone can help me out..lol thanks in advance

[The Geek]

I see - its definatly a path problem then. Its uploading fine - but displaying the path to the image is the problem.
Right click the red x and clikc properties to see what the path is try to display. From there it should be a walk in the park