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 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

I swear I had sorted this. Ill have to look into it. Can anyone else verify? It may be that you missed one of the file edits.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by konstance

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


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.

If you PM me an account and a link for an example - ill check it out for you (account needs to have access to GAS settings in admincp).

Fabz - all sidebar stuff is in the GAS_article_pb template.

Xug - not much further on that request I am afraid. I just got the random article for vba cmps up and running on my site. Its not even ready for realease as I need to build some more functionality for other users. Sorry

Harry - glad you nJoyed the install experience. The problem there is that the pagebreak is smack dab in middle of a list. There is a function called 'prep_for_broken_tags' in fucntions_geekarticle.php that tries to help out in this situation.
I added the list code to pre_for_broken_tags and then I added a wrapper around the page text in hopes that sorts it for you. find the new functions_geekarticles.php file attached and let me know if that helps you out (note that I havent tested it).

nJoy all

[sv1cec]

Didn't do any file edits myself, and the installation didn't tell me to do so.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by sv1cec

Didn't do any file edits myself, and the installation didn't tell me to do so.

ill check into it

[Zachariah]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Harry - glad you nJoyed the install experience. The problem there is that the pagebreak is smack dab in middle of a list. There is a function called 'prep_for_broken_tags' in fucntions_geekarticle.php that tries to help out in this situation.
I added the list code to pre_for_broken_tags and then I added a wrapper around the page text in hopes that sorts it for you. find the new functions_geekarticles.php file attached and let me know if that helps you out (note that I havent tested it).

nJoy all

Yes sir. That fixed the problem.

[axi]

ok i installed it, had a few problems like djroketboy did, and did wat you told him to, i made the directory admincp and includes and copied the index.php and includes functions showtread into includes in the /changes folder, installed..

now what?

i dont have gas showing up in admin cp?

something wrong?

[lasto]

did u refresh admincp after installing it m8 ?

[axi]

ok got the settings and all done, but how do i submit an article? how do you view it, how can i get it to show on my front page of the forums???

[lasto]

well in answer to your question u need to go to the forum that u specified in admincp as being available for articles and make an article in that section.
As for getting em to show on the front page of your forums thats a totally different hack.

[fuse3k]

Originally Posted by fuse3k

I have a small MOD request, if someone is kind enough to help me:

Firstly, I love this Article system, however I'm not using it for it's [original] intended purpose. I'm using this as a product review system. I've altered the phrases so everything is fine there...what I'm hoping to do is modify the system in a way so, instead of having one box to write the article, there are 4 boxes total, then combine the input of all three boxes and post it. More specifically I'm looking for a text field for product Pro's, product Con's, then the main section for posting their final conclusion, etc. Doing so the end-user will have a standard to follow so that all the reviews are of the same organized layout. The Pro text area and the Con's text area can be added just below the synopsis text area. If there's a coder willing to help me with this please reply on this forum or e-mail me at fuse3k-at-gmail.com. I would be forever in debt to you.

Anyone? Please? I'm on a limited budget for this site but I'd be willing to pay a coder to do this for me if it's reasonable.