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

[Warrior]

Wonderful hack - and the installer worked like a charm. In fact I had an old friend who was a phenomenal programmer that I have not heard from in awhile... he invisioned a similar installer for these type of programs... actually, BRIAN is that you?!? Haha

Once again - thanks for doing the sadistic job of hunt and insert for the php files for us! You got my vote for Hack of the Year... hell... Installer of the Year!

[The Geek]

Nope, not Brian

I was suprised other hacks didnt do this before. It was a lot of hard work to develop the installer - however it sure makes a difference with file editing. Thankfully with vB3.5, file hacking is a thing of the past and hence - so is my installer

Thanks again for the kind words - this hack is a real source of pride for me

[Odysseus]

Geek, will there be a vBaCMPS Addon to display the latest articles in a portal box?
The current hack which is supposed to do this does not work with CMPS version 2.0 anymore.

Or will there at least be a box for the GARS system for vB 3.5?

[hotwheels]

i could never find the gas/changes file......i searched all over my database where i installed gas. I tried editing all of the proper php's and still nothing......that seem's to be where i was lost. I tried to build my own gas/change's file but really wasn't sure what to put into it......suck's when you don't know alot about programming.....i feel stupid that i haven't been able to make this work and yet, there is always someone that post's how easy it is........damn, i eat worms....

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hotwheels

i could never find the gas/changes file......i searched all over my database where i installed gas. I tried editing all of the proper php's and still nothing......that seem's to be where i was lost. I tried to build my own gas/change's file but really wasn't sure what to put into it......suck's when you don't know alot about programming.....i feel stupid that i haven't been able to make this work and yet, there is always someone that post's how easy it is........damn, i eat worms....

DOnt be silly wheels - you need to look in your forum directory for the gas folder and in there you will see a changes folder. If not, create one and copy the files outlined in the readme - then run the file change portion of the installer.

You may want to plop a service request in the 'service request' forum here on vb.org for installation. You may have to pay for the job - but I bet loads would do it for very little as its a pretty easy install for many.

odysseus - I replied over at thevbgeek.com. In a nutshell - those add ons were never ported for gas3.5x (though with tweaking they arent hard to get going). I dont think ill be planning on redoing them for this version yet I will get to them for GARS.

HTH's

[hotwheels]

right on man, i will probably put up a service request then......just seem to be chasing my tail with this file for some reason......i have installed alot of hack's and this one is frustating to me......(don't take me wrong on the hack install's, i have fought them all the way, but i usually get them figured out in time.)

Thanks for the quick responses too, that is freakin awesome....i really appreciate that....hotwheels

[KingSpade]

Originally Posted by hotwheels

right on man, i will probably put up a service request then......just seem to be chasing my tail with this file for some reason......i have installed alot of hack's and this one is frustating to me......(don't take me wrong on the hack install's, i have fought them all the way, but i usually get them figured out in time.)


Thanks for the quick responses too, that is freakin awesome....i really appreciate that....hotwheels

I apologize if this has already been answered in this thread, though do you plan on releasing a version for vBulletin 3.5?

[Nero1977]

The Geek, just say when you can to release it for vb3.5?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Nero1977

The Geek, just say when you can to release it for vb3.5?

Its released as a beta right now - however its a commercial script now and therefore not located on vbulletin.org.

HTH's

[michaelbenson]

Is it possible to extract a list of all posted, (or recently posted) GAS articles onto the forumhome page, or perhaps just generating a list whilst viewing the forumdisplay template to resemble a more sort of VB Articles feel ?