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

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Snow

lol GAS for HOTM, GAS Installer for HOTM of the year!! (Sorry I can't get over the fact that I didn't actually open a single file to install this hack - we need a petition so for all large hacks to use such an installer).

I would love to be a fly on the wall for people running the installer just to see their bemused expressions. I kept running the various options just to see play the different routes

A bit childish - but I have to get my nJoyment somewhere

[tormodg]

Originally Posted by The Geek

there is an iconpath field too. SOmetimes that was updating - somethimes not.

Thanks for the kudos- stumped as to what you mean by hack labels though.

Did you nJoy the upgrade adventure?

Hack labels...just my own comment structure instead of the one you had used.

The adventure was very good, but it went into a loop at the second-to-last page. I got two exciting trolls or whatever at the printthread.php cave, and the next step led to a step which then took me back to the one with two steps on it (luckily I was about finished then).

[T3MEDIA]

Well I have to make a formal sorry!.

I had my doubt. I did. I got a SQL error. I felt my doubts were confirmed.
Sorry.
This works 100% I do not at the moment see ANY issues with the other hacks I have.

I have to say. I can not see why you will not get the award for best hack. I cant see how you wont get hired by vbulletin. LOL

I tell you. I wouldnt belive it. Been here for a bit... and never seen anything like this before.

I cant say your hack is tight. besides Help and the webtemplates hacks that dont do anything to vb...

This has to be the easiest.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by T3MEDIA

Well I have to make a formal sorry!.

I had my doubt. I did. I got a SQL error. I felt my doubts were confirmed.
Sorry.
This works 100% I do not at the moment see ANY issues with the other hacks I have.

I have to say. I can not see why you will not get the award for best hack. I cant see how you wont get hired by vbulletin. LOL

I tell you. I wouldnt belive it. Been here for a bit... and never seen anything like this before.

I cant say your hack is tight. besides Help and the webtemplates hacks that dont do anything to vb...

This has to be the easiest.

Wow. I have to say that honestly that is the best compliment I have gotten. I didnt think I could ever win you over

Glad you like. I feel like I have busted my buttcheek - all so hopefully you guys will dig it. I am pretty proud of it and hope it brings some pleasure to you all (am celebrating as we speak!)

[gregwatson]

Slight not quite "bug" report ...

If you do not have your forums located in a /forum directory (i.e. if you have them installed in a /forums [note the plural "s"]directory) ... the auto installer will erroneously report the following error:

For some reason, gas/images/forum wasn't created

In reality, the installer created the following directory [note the plural "s"]:

gas/images/forums

Everything works fine once configured in admincp ...

Greg

[T3MEDIA]

just so you know if you use the WYSIWYG and use break the program breaks the font commands. (or font sizes) would have been cool if you had the option to auto break. but the work around is to use the enhanced standard editor and just remove the [ font ] that is trailling and its all good.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by gregwatson

Slight not quite "bug" report ...

If you do not have your forums located in a /forum directory (i.e. if you have them installed in a /forums [note the plural "s"]directory) ... the auto installer will erroneously report the following error:

For some reason, gas/images/forum wasn't created

In reality, the installer created the following directory [note the plural "s"]:

gas/images/forums

There are a couple other path problems when I try to upload a picture, so I don't know yet whether the image function actually works or not ...

Greg

hey Greg - Thanks for that. It shouldnt matter what folder your forums are in - the gas/images/forums folder should get created regardless - in fact - I think its included in the package (it is) so if it doesnt create it - its cool... should already be there (just make sure its chmod 0777)!.
Let me know if I can help.

[gregwatson]

Originally Posted by The Geek

hey Greg - Thanks for that. It shouldnt matter what folder your forums are in - the gas/images/forums folder should get created regardless - in fact - I think its included in the package (it is) so if it doesnt create it - its cool... should already be there (just make sure its chmod 0777)!.
Let me know if I can help.

That's why I wrote "not quite" bug ... because the folder does get created, the installer just reports that it doesn't ... so whatever "check" that the installer does, does not detect the different folder name ...

Everything works fine ...

Greg

[djroketboy]

ok I read the readme, and am having a similar problem as gregwatson is/did...

i get:
doing folder structure

Note the following errors occured. DO NOT NAVIGATE FROM THIS PAGE WITHOUT MAKING NOTE OF THEM!!!

cant find root directory gas
Make sure you have created this in your forum directory.

But i have created it, and chmoded it to 0777, I do not have a forum directory, everything hangs off my www/ (root) folder

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by djroketboy

ok I read the readme, and am having a similar problem as gregwatson is/did...

i get:
doing folder structure

Note the following errors occured. DO NOT NAVIGATE FROM THIS PAGE WITHOUT MAKING NOTE OF THEM!!!

cant find root directory gas
Make sure you have created this in your forum directory.


But i have created it, and chmoded it to 0777, I do not have a forum directory, everything hangs off my www/ (root) folder

Same here. My Forums are in my root. If its during the folder install step - I wouldnt stress (though it sounds like it is in the filechanges step).

If the folder intall steps fail - no stress. If the file change step fails - still no stress (you will just have to complete some steps manually)

HTHs