vBaCMPS Featured/Random Geek Articles

Hack: vBadvanced CMPS Featured/Random Geek Articles
Version: 1.2
Author: Me

Instructions:
upload modules/featuredgeekarticles.php into modules folder
upload admincp/featuredgeekarticles_install.php into admincp folder
run above fileFollow the file modification in the README

File modifications: 1
Template modifications: 0
Installer: Yup. A very cool one.
Phrased: Yup

In a nutshell, this module is based upon the vBa news module, but is instead set up to pull a pre specified 'Featured Article' or even a 'Random Article'. This is really designed for those using The Geek Article System. If you don't have The Geek Article System, you are most likely very lonely anyway.

version 1.2 uploaded 02/02/05
Updated Readme to work with latest vBaCMPS

version 1.2 uploaded 07/01/05
Fixed 'Excluded Forums' bug that appeared to have been bitten by Zombie.
It came back to haunt one user so I had to take drastic action and update it.
It now WORKS with your 'excluded forums' setting. That is to say, you can exclude your acticle forums from 'Latest topics' but they will still happily appear as a featured article.
Please note that this means there is now a file edit. Please read the README.

Check out the Readme that comes in the package.

note:if you dig this module, you may be interested in the Latest articles one too.

PS: Your template will be a tad different from my screen shot as this is for my style.

nJoy

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hockyfan

No, that's what I had thought, memobug's post led me to believe otherwise, but no worries.

So is there any reason though I keep getting one thread many times, while other ones I have yet to see at all?


h

I think that it is one of those random things. Unless there is some nuance with mySQL's rand() function that I am not aware of, then its simply down to the luck of the draw and maybe one of your articles are simply getting a bit more lucky than others. I have refreshed your home page several times and occasionally I will get one I have already seen, but that is typical of something being random.
The other choice is to keep a cache of the 'last shown feature' and then incriment to the next. In other words, instead of random you would get a cycled. The random factor then would be the person loading the page. They could still see the same ad - it just depends on how many people viewed since they were last on.
It would also require an extra select and an extra update (essentially 2 more queries to do) - hmmmm - I wonder though... I wonder if I could do something with a cookie that may mix it up a little.

Ill have to give it some thought. If anyone has any ideas - feel free

[hpwilhelm]

Do this work with CMPS v1.0.1?

I cant find where to add the second code in the include_bottom.php. And it doesn't seem to work without it.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hpwilhelm

Do this work with CMPS v1.0.1?

I cant find where to add the second code in the include_bottom.php. And it doesn't seem to work without it.

Huh... just noticed the new release. Ill look into it.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by the nail geek

Huh... just noticed the new release. Ill look into it.

Right - here is the minor fix:

Dont follow Step 2

Ill update the package - Thanks

[hpwilhelm]

Originally Posted by the nail geek

Right - here is the minor fix:

Dont follow Step 2

Ill update the package - Thanks

Thanks for the update!

One more question: How do I get it to enable HTML?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hpwilhelm

Thanks for the update!

One more question: How do I get it to enable HTML?

hmmm. That should be dependant on the post it pulls. Is there HMTL enabled in the post itself?

Aside from the dangers of posting HTML, it could also mess up your page as the HTML could get snipped before close tags.

Let me know.

[hpwilhelm]

Yes, the post is in a HTML enabled forum

I'm aware of the dangers of HTML, so the articles in this forum may only be posted by admins, and all comments will be moderated

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hpwilhelm

Yes, the post is in a HTML enabled forum

I'm aware of the dangers of HTML, so the articles in this forum may only be posted by admins, and all comments will be moderated

hmmm.

If only admins can post. try this:

replace (in your modules/featuredgeekarticles.php)

PHP Code:

$geek_feature['message'] = parse_bbcode2($geek_feature['pagetext'], 0, 1, $allowsmilie, 1); 


with

PHP Code:

$geek_feature['message'] = parse_bbcode2($geek_feature['pagetext'], 1, 1, $allowsmilie, 1); 


I havent tested... but it should work.

[hpwilhelm]

Thanks! It worked perfectly!

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by hpwilhelm

Thanks! It worked perfectly!

Cool. Glad to have helped. Hit install when you get a minute please