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

[spence2]

As to the proposed forum display, I think the varying sizes of the images throw off the symmetry of the page. It confuses the eye. And the images overpower the entries ... which would be great if the images were intended to be the focus of the page (like a gallery). But, of course, they're not.

Also, I was left trying to "relate" the images to the words ... I think traditionally, an image displayed alongside any paragraph of text is "assumed" to relate the text ... like an illustration. I think this adds a bit to the confusion. Does the image relate to the title or the author or the synopsis? ... my mind wanted to relate the image to something. And for that connection to be consistent. It may be a little much to expect that sort of consistency ... that is, for my users to always have an appropriate illustration to offer.

Sorry to offer "feedback" (criticism) without a suggestion of how I think it might be altered ... so, I'll "study on it", too.

BTW, I don't think any of us can tell you enough how much we appreciate your generosity and support. This hack is terrific! Thanks.

[Black_Widow]

I like really much the new feature..I hope this new version will be released soon.
Congratulation..this is a great hack!!!

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by spence2

As to the proposed forum display, I think the varying sizes of the images throw off the symmetry of the page. It confuses the eye. And the images overpower the entries ... which would be great if the images were intended to be the focus of the page (like a gallery). But, of course, they're not.

Also, I was left trying to "relate" the images to the words ... I think traditionally, an image displayed alongside any paragraph of text is "assumed" to relate the text ... like an illustration. I think this adds a bit to the confusion. Does the image relate to the title or the author or the synopsis? ... my mind wanted to relate the image to something. And for that connection to be consistent. It may be a little much to expect that sort of consistency ... that is, for my users to always have an appropriate illustration to offer.

Sorry to offer "feedback" (criticism) without a suggestion of how I think it might be altered ... so, I'll "study on it", too.

BTW, I don't think any of us can tell you enough how much we appreciate your generosity and support. This hack is terrific! Thanks.

Hey Spence, thanks for the input.
I agree that the symmetry of the images can throw the eye off a bit. Sadly I dont really have much of a solution there (unless they were floated in some type of fixed border frame or something).
As for the images relating to the text - blame it on the author I threw those up to test though I actually thought they were semi relevant.

99% of the code is done for the next version. Ill start the upgrader and installer late today and something may be ready as early as wed or thur.

Toodles

[Blam Forumz]

Originally Posted by The Geek

I am still looking for more feedback on the new features (mostly the forumdisplay). I am not 100% sure on the exact look right now (am craving some spacing between threadbits) but I would like some other input.

Maybe I should offer a 'design the new threadbit' contest. The winner gets a cookie.

Hungry?

The showthread would be nice if it had an option to display different attachments on different pages ([BREAK] tag stuff?)

And maybe images could appear on the forumdisplay, but make it look more part of the actual thread, rather than just having it next to it with no indication that its related to that article


Thanks

(Great hack btw)

[spence2]

As for the images relating to the text - blame it on the author. I threw those up to test though I actually thought they were semi relevant.

Yours are relevant. I was thinking about my users and whether or not they would post images even remotely "related".

Might it be possible to have an option to leave the forum display the way it is in the current version?

If not, might it be possible to include a list of pre-installed images (we provide) with an option for the author to upload their own?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by spence2

Yours are relevant. I was thinking about my users and whether or not they would post images even remotely "related".

Might it be possible to have an option to leave the forum display the way it is in the current version?

If not, might it be possible to include a list of pre-installed images (we provide) with an option for the author to upload their own?

I was looking into that. I am planning on (after this next release) making it so to upload the file, a pop up opens that allows you to select an image from a gallery OR upload your own. The gallery is a collection of default images merged with forum specific ones. Say I had the following folders:

GAS
|_____headers
|______1
|______3

Essentially, it would grab all images in the headers folder (call these 'global' images). THen if you were in a forum with a matching sub folder (lets say 3) it would allow you to chose from all images in header AND 3.
That way you could have forum specific images OR upload one.

ANyhooo... THat will be the next step I think. I would still really like to sort out the look of the forum display. I kind of like it... but Im not overly excitied abou it.

[spence2]

That sounds like a great plan!

BTW, in the upcoming version is there a built-in way to limit the size of the image they upload? Something to limit the dimensions?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by spence2

That sounds like a great plan!

BTW, in the upcoming version is there a built-in way to limit the size of the image they upload? Something to limit the dimensions?

You can specify the image size they can upload as well as the finished dimensions. The system will then resize the image to the minimum specifications and chuck away the original.
I didnt see the point in retaining the original as if they want it so bad they can always attach it

[spence2]

Terrific!

[Breaker]

just installed, works great.

love that new layout your working on, i prefer that forumdisplay than the one i'm currently using. good work