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]

Your GD setting in your vboptions is incorrect. That will sort it.

nJoy

[sv1cec]

Oh, I know there is a problem with my GD, even though the system recognizes the version of GD I have installed, it never shows the image, which is normally shown at the image verification option. Do you think this might cause the problem? Any ideas how to solve it?

GD version (as recognized by vB): Likely GD Version : bundled (2.0.28 compatible)

But I get no image in image verification.

Rgds

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by sv1cec

Oh, I know there is a problem with my GD, even though the system recognizes the version of GD I have installed, it never shows the image, which is normally shown at the image verification option. Do you think this might cause the problem? Any ideas how to solve it?

GD version (as recognized by vB): Likely GD Version : bundled (2.0.28 compatible)

Bit I get no image in image verification.

Rgds

Cant really help you there

Have you tried changing it to version 1.6 or whatever the other one is?
Saying that though - it really makes images look naff.

[sv1cec]

So this issue is due to the GD? Darn, so I have to disable the uploads?

No biggie, since I'll probably be the only one posting articles in there, I can ftp the images in the images directory, right?

OK, thanks, lovely hack.

[sv1cec]

One more issue, when entering an article, if for some reason you got an error, like you exceeded the max. characters limit, when the error message is shown and you are asked to correct it, the Byline, the Synopsis and the picture you have selected, are lost and you have to re-enter them.

Just a small problem, but I am sure it can be corrected.

Rgds

[konstance]

This is regarding the Comments not showing up under the article....

check the number of comments to preview (and post the response in the GAS thread as this thread is for the Geek Auto Linker )

I have that number set to 6. What's weird, they'll show up on the second page when I have "Show preview of comments only on the last page" set to YES, but they won't if I have that option set to NO.

[fabz]

Hi !
which template do I have to modify to show the "tools table" in the article header instead of a sidebar that takes too many place for me ?

looks like GAS_article_pb ?

Thx The Geek

[fabz]

... lot of headache... did someone already tryed to present the sidebar a different way ? and show us some pics ?

[xug]

Originally Posted by The Geek

I will be re-writing the featured/random/latest modules for vbadvancedCMPS and can most likely do one for vbportal as all functions will be in a seperate file but I have to catch up on everything else right now. Ill let you know when as I will need what you are offering... sadly you will have to wait until then though

Thanks!

The Geek, Any News on This Request?

[Zachariah]

Great install. I love the auto install / file edits w/ backup. I had to change my shorts after the install. Thanks for the experance.

Working Environment: vb3.0.7 GAS 3.51 (new install)

I have some test info for you.

I did a "copy & paste" of your hack info here for a "test post" and added the [BREAK]. All is nice except for formating gets crazy.

Here is the post and the output.

Post:

HowdA All.
 
The GAS3 system is a comprehensive article system that completely integrates into vB3. 
 
News: 
Updated 18/3/05 to version 3.51!!! Posts for 3.51 start here
We are up for HOTM - vote if you think it desrves it!

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

[BREAK]

Take a look at the images.

noart.jpg is a standard output.
art.jpg is how it looks when I enable the forum as an 'article forums'.

It looks like to me if there is a 2nd "list" or a combo of a few BB codes triped it up ? Or did I goof on something ?