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

[Steph2k]

This is more of an FYI, cuz I think this happens in Vb in general when you edit the title of the post. It needs to be edited in thread tools as well. When I edited thread title via the edit link (editpost.php), it changes the title when view the full article (showthread.php), but not in the thread/articles display (forumdisplay.php). So, when I edited the thread via admin tools, the title on forums/articles diplay was edited.

I think this happens as well on normal threads outside of the articles system, so its a vB thing. I think its set up like that so only admins can edit titles. Just wanted to post this as an FYI in case anyone comes across the need to edit titles.

Steph

[venomx]

Originally Posted by Shackbase

'cant find root directory gas' but it's right there - and chmodded 777..

my html root is /www/ and gas is in /www/gas/ - what am I missing?

Thanks,

--Tone

Is your forum in the www dir?

[Shackbase]

yes - no /forum/ - do I need to move it all?

[venomx]

It needs to be in the forum dir...

[Shackbase]

ok i moved it all into /forum/ - so it's in.. /www/forum/ - and ofcourse /www/forum/gas/ and I'm still getting 'cant find root directory gas
Make sure you have created this in your forum directory.'.

I appreciate your help Venomx, any more words of wisdom? Thanks!

--Tone

[Shackbase]

Actually I am really confused now.. I know it's just me..

VB should be installed in root and then GAS should be installed in /forum/ ?

no matter what I do - I cannot get this to work.. I'm being such a noobie..

--Tone

[Lizard King]

Did you chmod /forum/gas directory to 777 If you you have to do that.

[Shackbase]

yupp did that..

--Tone

[The Geek]

Check out the readme. When this happens you need to create the folder structure yourself. I have no clue why it happens on some configurations - it just does

Creating the folder structure yourself always seems to do the trick.

When your done - toggle the ol install button for me

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Steph2k

This is more of an FYI, cuz I think this happens in Vb in general when you edit the title of the post. It needs to be edited in thread tools as well. When I edited thread title via the edit link (editpost.php), it changes the title when view the full article (showthread.php), but not in the thread/articles display (forumdisplay.php). So, when I edited the thread via admin tools, the title on forums/articles diplay was edited.

I think this happens as well on normal threads outside of the articles system, so its a vB thing. I think its set up like that so only admins can edit titles. Just wanted to post this as an FYI in case anyone comes across the need to edit titles.

Steph

GAS doesnt deal with thread/article titles. Personally I think its a bug with vB - but easy enough to fix by clicking thread/article tools - edit thread/article.
Dont ask me why they did it that way. I dont think its very intuitive.