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

[Quelyn]

I am just installing this hack, and I haven't used it yet, but I just wanted to comment on how awesome it is you took the time to make such convenient code. Commenting out the original version and keeping it included is perhaps the best thing since sliced bread. Makes things a lot easier for me. This code is very well done, and the install instructions are great.

Also I like the bit of humor you threw into the install.php

Thanks

[gldtn]

Originally Posted by Quelyn

I am just installing this hack, and I haven't used it yet, but I just wanted to comment on how awesome it is you took the time to make such convenient code. Commenting out the original version and keeping it included is perhaps the best thing since sliced bread. Makes things a lot easier for me. This code is very well done, and the install instructions are great.

Also I like the bit of humor you threw into the install.php

Thanks

I would say the same thing, I have yet to see more coders throw some humor in there install script .

[ChrisSy]

Great hack, im just in the process of adapting the style slightly, is there anyway to limit (resize) the image attachments added without using thumbnails?

[kevinnguyen]

when will you release the new version? Any estimated date?
Thanks

[tormodg]

I *love* the GAS3. It has made our forums a lot better. Thanks Geek. Can't wait for the next version.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by tormodg

I *love* the GAS3. It has made our forums a lot better. Thanks Geek. Can't wait for the next version.

Hey Guys - What cool comments. I appreciate such positive feedback.

Chrissy - the only real way of doing it is to fub the img tag to force a particular size. Personally, I wouldnt bother as its a bit of a lame way of doing it. If you can chill for a few - the next verison allows the user to upload their own header image that you can specify the size to (you can also use the first thumbnail as you do now).

The new release isnt set yet. Its in Beta testing and there are a few more issues to work out (I have just been really busy with work lately). Fingers crossed it shouldnt be too much longer.

Do me a favour and click the install button for those that havent yet

[The Dok]

Originally Posted by The Geek

A blank page is an indication that the templates may not have been installed.

As far as where to post articles - just create a forum (or forums) to hold the articles and create a new article there (as you would do a thread).

Hope that makes sense

I'm having the same blank page and all the templates are there. There are 6 of them.

I'm impressed with this, especially from what I've seen from your demo. I'm really looking forward to it.

[m00m1n]

Great mod, I love it. However I wonder if it's possible to select to display the sidebar and related options on an individual forum basis? And if not, would it be possible to request this as a feature? The reason I ask is that I wish to use two forums for articles - where one is a news forum (the articles are displayed on my homepage) and the other an actual articles forum.

It'd be a shame if I can't do this, the article/comments format is perfect for both tasks. If you want to have a look, my website is at http://mousepotato.org (I haven't yet created the articles forum)

Thanks

[The Geek]

Blank templates usually means that the templates were not installed. Just repeat the installation and install the templates only.

Sidebar options per forum is planned for the release following the next one The reason being is that version 4 - each setting will be on a per forum basis - this isnt in the up and coming version though. To work around it, why not just put a conditional in your article_pb template. something like <if condition="$forumid!=[newsid]">...</if> around the sidebar bit?

HTH's

[m00m1n]

Yup sounds like a plan. I've only had vBulletin installed for a day, so I'm getting used to how it works and what I can do with it. I'll use the conditional for now and wait with baited breath for the uber version