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]

Originally Posted by Snow

I just updated to the latest release and now I've got two Gas Settings in my admincp.

Thats because 2 is better than 1! Hell - Ive put 6 in mine! How many times have you been looking for that admincp link and its like looking for your freaking car keys - scanning back and forth?

er. actually it just might not have removed it from your previous install.

Shiva - Not sure what you mean about the avatar thing

[shiva]

sorry geek, mentioned it in a previous post, but now that's a few pages before this one.

After I installed the GAS, a lot of the avatars people use (uploaded) disappeared, and has been replaced with a text link that says "fiendhydes avatar"

On top of it, it would allow me to upload a replacement, but then it doesn't show it.
I noticed this after I changed the settings in gas admin to Use first attachment thumbnail as avatar - no from displaying thumbnails before.

I repaired the database through vb cpadmin as well (avatars are stored in the database) no effect. Still does it in fact. loading from a url has the same problem

[The Geek]

can you PM me test login details with admin access to the GAS settings and Ill look into it for you.
BTW: I noticed that earlier on your site - but just checking now it seems cool

[shiva]

Oh, I've noticed that some avatars are okay. I just moved the avatars to the file system, and making a copy to see how they work. Still strange error, reason I think it's a conflict with a another thumbnail/avatar hack, like the one we have to use for VBA CMPS news pages

[shiva]

Guess what? Moving them to the file system fixed the missing members avatars. At least a couple missing ones showed back up. So a database thing I guess

EDIT: Also can upload them as well now. Very strange...

Double edit: Sent PM anyway.
Thanks, I'm building a photoshop file with all the images selectable etc. I did them for PHP-Nuke a long time ago, decided to do it again so I can mix and match images, backgrounds text etc. I did say I was lazy, didn't I?

[iamboard]

The Geek,

Does GAS integrate nicely with vBadvanced? Are there many extra settings?

Thanks
J

[The Geek]

Depends on what you mean.

There are a coupld of old add on moduels for vbaCMPS that still work for this (though I am working on new ones). Other than that - it integrates about the same as a normal forum does.
In other words - you can show polls from your articles and latest topics in vbaCMPS or you can exclude the article forums if you want.

There are not really too many settings and the defaults are pretty much the ones to go by. You really only have to set the forumids and you are good to go.

HTH's

[GamerzWorld]

Hmm was happy with old 3 version. Was looking at HOTM and saw it had been upgraded So quickly rushed to upgrade and followed the upgrade steps using the auto installer. Made 3 changes to 3 files as the auto installer didnt do. Went through everything fine. Thought great went to admincp and vbsettings and the option was no longer there oO I have noticed that on some pictures here they have a link on the left side bar now instead of in the options bit. Is this a bug or have i missed something out?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by GamerzWorld

Hmm was happy with old 3 version. Was looking at HOTM and saw it had been upgraded So quickly rushed to upgrade and followed the upgrade steps using the auto installer. Made 3 changes to 3 files as the auto installer didnt do. Went through everything fine. Thought great went to admincp and vbsettings and the option was no longer there oO I have noticed that on some pictures here they have a link on the left side bar now instead of in the options bit. Is this a bug or have i missed something out?

the settings have moved from vboptions to their own navpane link (should be on the left in admincp)
Unless that was a missed file edit - then you can get there by admincp/GAS_admin.php

[Lizard King]

Did you move all the files including folders includes and admincp to their previous place ?
If yes then you have to make 1 file edit in admincp/index.php