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

[The Geek]

FYI: GAS3.5 Beta 1 is out for testing here-> https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=78031

Please note that this is for a clean install, there is no upgrade yet.

Thanks

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by T3MEDIA

'FORUMDISPLAY', Is in a few locations in my php file. which one are you speaking of? I am positive it isnt the first instance of it.

Hey t3media - its in the globaltemplates section. (Pretty sure its the first one )

[TCB]

I was trying to edit the way the comments are shown. So I opened the GAS_comment_pb template, but none of my changes are visible in the showthread.php view of my articles.

What template do I need to edit then to change the way comments are shown?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by TCB

I was trying to edit the way the comments are shown. So I opened the GAS_comment_pb template, but none of my changes are visible in the showthread.php view of my articles.

What template do I need to edit then to change the way comments are shown?

The preview comments (those seen when viewing the article) are found in GAS_article_pb

HTH's

[The Geek]

Hey guys - were up for HOTM (again). Heres hoping it doesnt get removed (again)!

[Snow]

I voted! Hopefully you will win it this time, this hack certainly deserves the award.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Snow

I voted! Hopefully you will win it this time, this hack certainly deserves the award.

Thanks snow!

Now - GAS3.5 is in RC and about to go Gold. However I need some input from current users of GAS3 to help determine how long it will take to go gold.

There are several file changes in GAS3 and I found it to be a pain whenever I needed to upgrade vB. Therefore I spent about a weeks worth of coding on a new installer that will do all of the file edits automatically (you can of course choose the manual file editing if you wish).
Because of this, as well as the plethora of new features, I have had to add a few more edits, and I have moved most GAS code out of the vb files (as much as possible anyway). That means that virtually all file modifications in GAS3 are different in GAS3.50. These changes make GAS3.5 better, faster, and much easier to upgrade when a new version of vB gets released (just re-run the auto installer). This brings me on to my point:
I could possibly create an un-installer for the file editing in GAS3.0 however it would most likely only catch SOME of the changes (due to the nature of copy and paste file changing). How many of you would be bummed to simply replace your files with fresh ones to run the installer?

In other words: Try to create the uninstaller or Ill use fresh files.

At least with the new installer, you wont have to worry about this anymore!

[T3MEDIA]

I dont have back ups. I have but fresh fresh they are un hacked totally.
welp I guess a un install is the only way to go then? manually? I know for a fact I had to change things when I added your pop up with this so it wont be perfect.

[fabz]

I had a problem with installing this so needed hack :
the problem occures only on long threads in polls, with error hanging script.

I have vb 3.0.1 with all security patches.

I noticed that my vb hangs in SHOWTHREAD.PHP where GEEK script needs (STEP 5.17 of installation procedure) :

PHP Code:

SELECT filename, filesize, visible, attachmentid, counter, postid, IF(thumbnail_filesize > 0, 1, 0) AS hasthumbnail, thumbnail_filesize 


I test on my pc, and this works fine :

PHP Code:

SELECT filename, filesize, visible, attachmentid, counter, postid, IF(thumbnail = '', 0, 1) AS hasthumbnail, LENGTH(thumbnail) AS thumbnailsize, description 


Am I right ? Is this correct ? why do I have a 3.0.1 vb that doesn't understand "thumbnail_filesize > 0, 1, 0" ?
Regards

[The Geek]

T3Media - The only thing you would of had to change are the settings. But regardless I have written a file upgrader so you wont even have to do that (or you can also just leave as is if its too much trouble)

Fabz - thumbnail_filessize changed in a later version. You may be patched with security fixes - but not with the latest DB scheme or internal functions. I would strongly suggest upgrading to the latest vB when you can find the time as there may be other issues with 3.0.1

Good luck!