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

[fabz]

Yes it's quite hard to read this....
I've never seen such a good support.
This script is amazing and well done.
In case of problems, you should read all docs, all posts, and search for mistakes...

You cannot say "it doesn't work" without trying/searching, The Geek has done a huge very good script.

[ShawnV]

awesome mod, works perfect.

[Allan]

veiled, a last thing, when I uploader an image wants, I have this error:

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imagecreatefromgif() in c:\program files\easyphp1-8\www\forum\includes\functions_geekarticles_images.php on line 124

but if I have it but directly on the waiter, in the window of upload, the images it are well

[The Geek]

Hi Guys - I have just crawled in from a very long trade show and jumped on as soon as I stepped in the door


There is a lot to catch up here on the past couple of days - but it looks like most has been covered by other users - thanks!

I would assume that problems like 'imagecreatefromgif()' are cuaed by your VB options selection for your GD library not being correct (check PHPinfo for your version)

Never bothered to run through a validator so Im not overly shocked. Ill put it on my todo list

If you are not seeing the GAS admincp menu - either your phrases didnt build right (check the readme for info) or the dile edit of admincp/index.php falied. Edit your admincp/index.pho fiel and search for GAS.

Regarding the importer: I just updated it to fix a typo on that line mentioned

Venom - Did you have an earlier version installed? You may have to revert your gas templates. Otherwise - check the settings (though the default is to show it)

Hope I got everything guys.

Thanks

[Quincy Wisdom]

Hey geek, any chance of making an importer for cinq's article hack (v.2)?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Quincy Wisdom

Hey geek, any chance of making an importer for cinq's article hack (v.2)?

Not really planning on it right now. If I get enough requests and some time, ill look into it.

HTH's

[lasto]

been a long time since ive been impressed by a hack and just installed this to test board and it works first time.Is well neat and the layout of the articles in forum display is spot on - but the actual post is even better and gotta love that box thats displays attachments.

Nice work m8 and i clicked install.

Also you where right - i had to edit a phrase and save but besides that never got one error at all.

Also let me credit you on that installer - never seen one like it

[lasto]

oh yeah will vote for hack of the month as well as this one deffo deserves it.

[ShawnV]

Geek,

How can I remove the black outline border around the article images, with the new patch it's now gone on the message body but its still there in the topics page and I would rather not have a border or be able to change it's color?

Thanks in advance.

[venomx]

The Geek I followed the upgrade instructions to the leter. When I couldnt get it to show the bar even when the options said it was on I tried the uninstall.

The uninstall didnt remove the templates or phrases. I can remove the phrases but the templates I cant. When I click on one to highlight it the only button that works is the customize one. Any help/ideas?

I cant remove the following phrases...
setting_GAS_show_tools_title

How can I find all the phrases in phpmyadmin so I can mass delete them? What about the emplates?