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

[Lizard King]

Originally Posted by She Unlimited

I have the Geek article system, can I run both cings, and the Journal at once?

I don't know about Journal but i am currently running cinq's articles and Geek article together with no problem.

[Lionel]

I've got all 3 of them side by side not interfering with each other on 3.07

[She Unlimited]

That is awesome, that is want I wanted to do. I needed the Geek article system for the magazine end, and the cinqs system for expert authors.

I was having some problems installing, I am a bit of newbie in coding.

[She Unlimited]

What a great response, awesome. I wanted to make sure.

Thank you.

Where do I post for paid help on installing these 2 systems?

[trulylowcarb]

I am running both cinqs vbarticles and this one side by side with no problems, either.
I use cinqs system for all of my free content, and this one for my premium content. I would love it now if I could just figure out how to install this hack a second time, with different phrasing... I use the current installation in my recipe forums and have changed all the phrases appropriately for that. But I am second-guessing myself now because I also have review forums, and I would like to use the system in those forums, but with different phrases. Willing to pay for help with the necessary modifications, if this is possible, but it is over my head...

Geek, by the way, I edited my above post about the avatar problem, it appears to have been caused by a conflict with a prior hack I had installed to block animated avatars. Thanks for your offer to help, though! Note that I did PM you login info previously, however, due to the Geek gallery popup hack errors I am still experiencing ... hoping you got that? It was 8-9 days ago, now, I think...

[The Geek]

Hey Carb -

First off - I am planning on the next version being able to do what you are after (particular phrasegroups per forumid). In the meantime - Maybe some basic template conditionals would sort it for you.

Glad the avatar problem is sorted. And I just checked my PM box here and I have no record of any PMs from you. Check your sent items!!! On that note - I am almost done with the next version of the gallery popup - it was just put aside as I finished my banner system (I need that to go up asap to start generating revenue from my site).

[jaffa]

simple question for a complete nu-B

how do i mark my news forum to show the articles?
i know im going to end up kicking myself but im very tired and not used to Vb at all

Thanks

[trulylowcarb]

Originally Posted by The Geek

I just checked my PM box here and I have no record of any PMs from you.

I think I sent it to you via the vbadvanced forums, since it was related to the Gallery hack mod that I downloaded from there. Will go copy it and send it to you here instead. If you expect a new gallery popup to come out soon, however, then I am happy to wait. In that case, just let me know when you get my PM and I will delete the admin account for you if it's not needed.
Also happy to hear about the particular phrasegroups by forum in the works, that solves EVERYTHING for me and will make this hack sooooooo user-friendly. Happy to wait on that, too, always plenty of other tasks on my To-Do list.

I still want to donate to you in return for all your great hacks.

[Telkman]

Originally Posted by jaffa

simple question for a complete nu-B

how do i mark my news forum to show the articles?
i know im going to end up kicking myself but im very tired and not used to Vb at all

Thanks

On the GAS_admin.php page, you can choose which forums will act as article displaying forums... if I remember correctly, it's the first option.

[jaffa]

lol...
ok thanks, but does the admin page supposed to have no text next to the settings??
the only pice of writting got is 2 3rd's down the page
"looks like your path is something like e:\....\www\forum/gas/images"