[cinq's vbArticles v1.0 Hack] - The development process

[cinq]

BACKGROUND

Would be having some free time in about a month's time ( vacation wheee... ) so I have decided to take up the task of upgrading my previous hack for vb2 to be used in vb3.

A little background of the hack. I initially based the code off Arunan's popular link directory hack. But after a while I ended up changing most of the code to suit my needs. Several versions were pushed each time with more features added and bugs fixed, with help and suggestions from the community ( you folks know who you are ).
However, after a while, the hack kind of died a natural death, due to my lack of free time, an uncooperative computer, and actions of some of the members here.

I know there are already other vb3-based hacks around that has the same idea, a hack to house articles/tuts/reviews and what not, both free and paid work.

In any case, I would like to seek suggestions on what would be nice features in such a hack.

The old hack can be seen here : [vB 2.3.x] - vbArticles v0.4 -- For your repository of Articles/Tutorials/FAQs etc..

All suggestions would be seriously considered and implemented, if it is within my means. I am still a noob compared to many here !
Thanks folks


CURRENT PROGRESS STATUS
The current status of the work completed is approximately 90% at this point of time, based on the initial features planned for this hack.
LEFT : install script, query and code optimization.


SCREENSHOTS
You can refer to the following posts for the attached screenshots of what this hack looks like. Note however that the end release may see some/many visual changes.

Post 1 : Initial screenshots
Post 2 : Updated admin interface
Post 3: Updated frontend page


CONTRIBUTING TO THIS HACK
I am sure many require such a hack for their sites, be it for articles, reviews, guides, tutorials and what not. Help me in the development of this hack and allow me to present this hack to you faster and with much better functionality and user-friendliness.

How you can help :

• Provide suggestions on new features
• Volunteer to run extensive tests on this hack, when early releases become available (PM me for this)
• Volunteer to write a comprehensive install (and uninstall) script which would handle database changes, phrases and settings addition, and if possible a page which lists nicely the file changes which are required. (PM me for this)
• Provide solutions to problems I encounter along the way (due to my limited knowledge of coding ). Any problems or questions which are stumping me, I will post in this thread for the community to hopefully render help. These problems will be indexed in this post too, with a prefix as to whether it has been overcome or not.
• Create nifty and cool looking graphics for packaging together with this hack's final release. (PM me for this)
• ....

PROBLEMS REQUIRING ASSISTANCE
Please reference the problem number ( eg. 1 or 2 ... ) when replying to any of these listed problems.

1. [Suggestions required] Similar Articles feature - [Implemented, thanks to rake]
2. [Coding help required] Previous/Next Article feature - [Solved, thanks to rake]
3. [Coding help required] Query Optimization for Category/SubCategory Displaying

POSSIBLE FUTURE FEATURES

1. Uploading of support zip file for an article
2. Article submission / with validation
3. Custom article fields creation
4. Setting up access/add article/comment/rate by usergroup permissions
5. ModCP panel to admin articles
6. Discussion tie-in with a forum thread in a specific 'article discussion' forum

OTHER STUFF

Any other matters, please feel free to post them in this thread as well, and I will address them as soon as I have the time.
Thank you for all help rendered