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.
-----------------------
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

[commTRU]

I currently have v3 Articles installed, but this looks so much better, and has options that I could really benefit from! So I'll get round to installing this today I have an idea though, although I'm not sure if it would be feasible:

I would like to use this article system as a way for my members to post their own fiction/fan-fiction, thus would it be possible to create an add-on that shows you what articles a member has created in his/her profile? That would look pretty cool

Also, a add-on or link to show peoples created articles in their user cp, perhaps with a link to edit them?

Anyway, very nice hack! ^^;;

[The Geek]

Thanks

Sure, I dont think it would be overly difficult to do... however I dont think I would be able to do it as Im pretty busy with vb3.5 ports and re writes right now

Id love to see it regardless!

[commTRU]

I'll love to see it too, if anyone who loves this hack would like to help make a few add-ons?

Right, I've just installed *clicks install* and I have to say, that is the funniest installer I have ever seen in my life

"You are about to get GAS"

Thank you :squareeyed:

[cmiller1014]

GOGO geek hacks! I am a member on your site now and cannot wait to unleash my site with 3.5 and all these addons. I sure hope you will make them all as "products" with no file mods.

Its nice to know someone is actively working on, and supporting hacks I need to make money with my site!

[ClockCrew]

Hey, i have set the max dimensions of image uploads to 100x100, but it lets you upload larger images, and it doesn't resize them or anything. No thumbnails. Thumbnails are enabled in admincp.

Any clues?

[The Geek]

Check you GD settings. GAS doesnt think you have GD installed so it skips the resizing stage.

[Katrina's Korner]

I am looking for something that I can use to generate static (indexable) content for the search engines. I am not very technically-inclined, so please forgive me if this question is worded funny, but does this hack help you to generate static pages that are indexable and can help with page rank. Or are these pages stored in the database and shown as dynamic URLs?

[The Geek]

They are just the same as normal threads but displayed differently (actually - theres a lot more to it then that - but in a nutshell no).

Many members use mod re-wrties for what you're looking for

[Katrina's Korner]

Originally Posted by The Geek

They are just the same as normal threads but displayed differently (actually - theres a lot more to it then that - but in a nutshell no).

Many members use mod re-wrties for what you're looking for

Congrats on a great hack. :classic:

BTW, what is a mod rewrite ?

*will have to look into it...*

UPDATE: Nevermind, I googled it...

[Conlons]

Installing the Arcade on 3.08 working through the hacks is fine. but when I get to the Template Modification, I then get the following error:

"Parse error: parse error, unexpected T_CONSTANT_ENCAPSED_STRING, expecting ')' in /usr/local/apache/share/legacy/c/o/conlons/httpdocs/www.conlons.co.uk/forum/includes/init.php on line 544"
I then cannot see the Forum at all. It did work on the previous version of VBulletin. Can someone please help