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

[ShawnV]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Venomx - hmm. Ill be more than happy to do this for you if you want to PM me needed details. Sorry your having such a pain there.
The phrases will be in the phrases table and the templates in the templates table.
It sounds like an earler install placed them in teamplate and languageid -1 (which I did do) however that shouldnt affect your upgrade/reinstall of the new version.

Like I said - drop me details if you want me to give you a hand.

ShawnV- edit functions_geekarticles and replace

PHP Code:

$post['GAS_thumb_as_avatar']="<img class='thumbnail' src='$GAS_setting[rt_icon_path]' style='border: 2px #000000;padding:2px;'/>"; 


With whatever you want

Lasto - Thanks. Glad you like it

Thanks for the help, I played around witht his line, however it didnt seem to effect the boarder at all on the site.

 $post['GAS_thumb_as_avatar']="<img class='thumbnail' src='$GAS_setting[rt_icon_path]' style='border: 1px #cccccc;padding:2px;'/>";

Is it perhaps unsing a link CSS or something else as it is clickable?

[Allan]

I updated towards 3.51, since, I do not have to more post the estimate in the articles, I have to validate the option in vBulletin well, but the estimate does not appear any more

[lasto]

geek - u know if u upload an pic and say a rar could the pic not be used for the post icon instead on forumdisplay so u could see instantly what was in there by just looking at the picture ?

[The Geek]

Quincy - You have some safe mode restrictions in place. If you cant change the open_basedir option then you may have to switch to first attachement option.

t3media - Can you give me a link to try?

Shawn V - you changed the padding from padding:2px to padding:0px??

Allan - Im not sure if I follow you. What estimate do you mean?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by lasto

geek - u know if u upload an pic and say a rar could the pic not be used for the post icon instead on forumdisplay so u could see instantly what was in there by just looking at the picture ?

Dont follow you Lasto. The pic you upload is the image used in forumdisplay? I am sure thats not what you mean - Maybe Im having a freak moment!

[Allan]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Allan - Im not sure if I follow you. What estimate do you mean?

the evaluation of the article in "showthread.php" does not appear

[The Geek]

do you mean the ratings? Check your settings - they turn on/off there.

[lasto]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Dont follow you Lasto. The pic you upload is the image used in forumdisplay? I am sure thats not what you mean - Maybe Im having a freak moment!

is way i put stuff into words m8 sorry

ok when u do a new article say i upload an attachment and the first one is a picture well i want that pic resized and when people go to forumdisplay where it shows all the articles the pic will appear there instead of the default one.
I want your article for a movie database im planning as i liek the layout a lot so to save people having to shrink the pic for the small display on forumdisplay it all gets done for them.

basically its a bit like that hack that was out where it allowed a pic to be shown on forumdisplay

[Lionel]

Your instructions are precise and to the comma. You tell us only what needs to be replaced instead of changing entire blocks, thus avoiding interferences with other hacks. All installs should be like that. Congrats on a fine work.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by lasto

is way i put stuff into words m8 sorry

ok when u do a new article say i upload an attachment and the first one is a picture well i want that pic resized and when people go to forumdisplay where it shows all the articles the pic will appear there instead of the default one.
I want your article for a movie database im planning as i liek the layout a lot so to save people having to shrink the pic for the small display on forumdisplay it all gets done for them.

basically its a bit like that hack that was out where it allowed a pic to be shown on forumdisplay

lasto - If I follow right - it does this.

You have a couple options:
1- turn on 'Use first attachment' setting. This way the very first thumbnail is used as the article header and forumdisplay
2- To hell with uploading an attachment - simply upload the pic straight into the article header which will autosize it to your dimensions and save you 1 query per thumbnail.

Am I still ahving a brain fart about what you are trying to do?

Lionel - Thanks Im pretty proud of it!