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

[KTBleeding]

Hey Geek, small question..

How hard would it be to add a short URL feature in? The only issue with this is users may get confused by the URL's.. (showthread.php?p=23424204204)

Is there a way to link it to the article name also? Like, keep the "showthread.php?" thing, but for extra lazy people who want to easily look up articles they've submitted I thought it would be pretty cool to offer the url "/articles/article name" or something?

I dunno.. I thought of it when I was getting ready for work at 5am, so maybe I was just delirious.

[The Geek]

hmmm.... sounds interesting


actually.... I really dont understand what you mean

[Polo]

Originally Posted by KTBleeding

Hey Geek, small question..

How hard would it be to add a short URL feature in? The only issue with this is users may get confused by the URL's.. (showthread.php?p=23424204204)

Is there a way to link it to the article name also? Like, keep the "showthread.php?" thing, but for extra lazy people who want to easily look up articles they've submitted I thought it would be pretty cool to offer the url "/articles/article name" or something?

I dunno.. I thought of it when I was getting ready for work at 5am, so maybe I was just delirious.

you could always use mod rewrite for that

[Polo]

Originally Posted by Lizard King

Polo I think the main problem is your templates are mixed up. Try to revert all the Gas templates and just re install the templates.

when I select a GAS template the revert button cannot be clicked... why is that? is there another way of deleting the GAS templates?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Polo

revert button cannot be clicked... why is that? is there another way of deleting the GAS templates?

Polo - Just run the install file, and install ONLY the templates. From there you may need to revert - or it will simply update them

HTH's

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Polo

you could always use mod rewrite for that

ahhhhhhhh. Now I know what you mean

Need more coffee

[Polo]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Polo - Just run the install file, and install ONLY the templates. From there you may need to revert - or it will simply update them

HTH's

I went into the GAS installer, I Kiss the TrollBeards bums click on "uninstalled templates" then I Ran like a sissy then I Banged the pineapple over the TrollBeards head and click on "install templates" but I'm still having the same problem :ermm: ......

I wonder what could be the problem.... will follow any upcoming advice, thank you

[The Geek]

Polo - can you check your file edits? Im getting an error when I hit your page.

My thinking is that something is up with one of the file edits. Maybe interferring with an existing hack?
Did you get any errors during install?

[Polo]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Polo - can you check your file edits? Im getting an error when I hit your page.

My thinking is that something is up with one of the file edits. Maybe interferring with an existing hack?
Did you get any errors during install?

ops... sorry The Geek, I was doing some udpates... should work now:

http://www.god180.com/forumdisplay.php?f=168

and no, the install when really smooth...

[The Geek]

polo - it just struck me that you have a side block there. I can almost guarantee that has something to do with it. Did you have to hack showthread.php and forumdisplay to get the sidebar?

Did you have to change something around the last line of the php files for that? SOmething like $HTML=blahblahblah?

If so, the same thing will need to be applied to the same eval lines at the bottom of showthread and forumdisplay.