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

[BigIke]

Sounds good. Thanks for the quick reply.

[Lionel]

Are there any subhacks from this hack, for vbaCMS?

[The Geek]

not really yet.
I have a prototype on my site of a random article hack. There is also 2 add ons for GAS2 that technically work for GAS3 but they do not pull the article image and such.

If someone wants to do them - I would help where I could - but as you know I am pretty busy with my other projects right now.

[Lionel]

I am going to transfer all my cinq's articles one by one (thank God there are only 40 :-)). I am planning to create a forum and put all articles categories in subforums. I'd love to be able to pull from those and display as I do currently as per attached.

First thumb: how they display in center page
second thumb, a hack in global.php to display in header
third thumb, categories (these could be hardcoded)

[The Geek]

THe first one is pretty much integrated.

THe other two would have to be ad ons that dont really exist right now. Once again - I would totally supprt whoever wanted to give it a go. I would do it now if I wernt so manic with GAS, GAL, and GAB (and also GPOP).

They are not really overly dificult hacks to do.

[JustAskJulie]

Is there an add-on for this to do a Featured Article with VbAdvanced?

[SamirDarji]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

Is there an add-on for this to do a Featured Article with VbAdvanced?

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=743

[JustAskJulie]

the one time I don't do a search for the answer and it's 4 posts back. Thanks Samir!

[Jason McConnell]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Hey Jason - honestly - that cant have anything to do with the problem. It MUST be something else. Adding an extra phrasegroup, or removing it will not affect any hack (unless it needs that phrasegroup).

I would suggest backing up your current set of files... downloading the ones in the gal/changes/$ver/backup and redoing it. Seems like maybe you might have inadvertantly changed something else.

.. & Lizard King too, thanks for the responses. I'll definitely take a closer look at the changes

[xug]

Originally Posted by The Geek

xug - what your asking is basically the same thing: An add on for GAS that really works pretty much the same. Right now my hands are just too full to spend much time developing it. I will - its just a matter of time.

Could you then maybe guide me in the right direction, at vbportal they are talking about "it looks like you need to just LEFT JOIN on the geek_articles to get the iconpath"

any help is appreciate because I can't wait to have finally something good in place.