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]

try the above file edit I mentioned then run the upgrade steps individually.

Skip to the Folder structure
If that goes cool do the copying
if that goes cool do the rest.

Let me know how it goes.

[TCB]

I have completely uninstalled this latest version, restored all original files, manually removed the old geek article system (v3), renamed my admin folder to admincp, cmodded the gas folder (and all files and subdir's) to 777, and started the installation.

This time it was done in a few seconds and my messageboard continued to work, no errormessages and my forumdisplay.php?f=11 gave me a wonderfull new Geek Article System 3.5 layout.

On thing that seems odd: the layout of the forumdisplay is new (with the icons, etc.), but the article showthread is the same as I had edited it for the old version (changed the layout a bit), but this time the sidebar is missing (so no thumbnails, ratings, etc.). It seems like the old Geek templates haven't been fully updated?

I'm going to let the dog out, have a dinner and then enjoy your amazing work more ..... Thank you SO much.

[The Geek]

cool - you may need to revert your GAS_article_pb template for the new template to kick in.

Have a pea for me

[fabz]

The Geek.... you are the best !

installer so wonderfull !... hack so usefull !... support so efficient !... updates etc.
Since I use vb 2.2, I've never seen such a hack.

You must win !

[TCB]

Originally Posted by The Geek

cool - you may need to revert your GAS_article_pb template for the new template to kick in.

Have a pea for me

Yup, reverting the edited templates turned my article system in a fully Geek Article System 3.5! Wonderfull, amazing and promising. I will have lots of fun tweaking it to my needs and taste...

If only there was a way to show my gratitude towards your amazing support (and humour in the install files). Why not make a wishlist on Amazon.com? That's a nice way for people to donate money or buy you something from that list (without knowing your personal information).

[KimmiKat]

I installed this mod, but the page "GAS_admin" shows no text, although the input boxes are there. What I do wrong?

[The Geek]

Phrases didnt build.
THis sometimes happens with hacks. All you need to do is search phrases for GAS_ in the title... edit one of them (doesnt matter which) and then click save.

That will rebuild all your GAS phrases.

HTH's

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by TCB

If only there was a way to show my gratitude towards your amazing support (and humour in the install files). Why not make a wishlist on Amazon.com? That's a nice way for people to donate money or buy you something from that list (without knowing your personal information).

Cool! Do the have the new 6 series BMW on Amazon?!

Very kind of you - Im just glad you like the hack. Just make sure you vote if you think it deserves it.

[shiva]

Ah, okay Geek, that's how it works.

Yeah, I also had that problem with the php files not updating (older beta version as well) but removing everything and doing a fresh install fixed that.

Any idea about the avatars? I ended up with a text link instead of a avatar, I have no avatar hacks, and it happened after I installed this.

I need the first thumbnail though, being a game site and all, but is there a way we could add a condition in the script, that forces only certain boards to display the first attachment thumbnail, while the rest are standard?

[KimmiKat]

Thanks, I thought I forgot something...

Originally Posted by The Geek

Phrases didnt build.
THis sometimes happens with hacks. All you need to do is search phrases for GAS_ in the title... edit one of them (doesnt matter which) and then click save.

That will rebuild all your GAS phrases.

HTH's