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

[Steph2k]

I installed GAS and it seemed to install but I don't see anything in admincp or anywhere else that changed to reflect GAS was installed.

Thanks,

Steph

[Lizard King]

Did you move your changed files back to their regular folder ? The installer keep the changed files under /forum/gas/ move them to regular folders and then you are ready to go

[Steph2k]

Originally Posted by Lizard King

Did you move your changed files back to their regular folder ? The installer keep the changed files under /forum/gas/ move them to regular folders and then you are ready to go

LOL! DOH! *Facepalm* Yeah that was my problem Thanks for the hint. It's working now.

Thanks for the help!

Steph

[The Equivocate]

How can I set the default "sorted by" option to Title? I've looked all through the Forum Settings and couldn't find it.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by The Equivocate

How can I set the default "sorted by" option to Title? I've looked all through the Forum Settings and couldn't find it.

think we are going to have to do a slight add on or put this in the new release as I think this can only be done with a hack (all be it a very tiny one).

Ill look into it and post the results

[tpr]

Hi,
Got a quick question for you.
I am trying to create an "improved"' feature geek article that will also display the image from the article and will use the synopsis instead of the first X characters.
Now changing to the synopsis was easy, the question is, where do i find the image info. cant seem to find it in the geek table in mysql.

Also,
I wish to change the resize settings of the image upload script (need the images to be a tad larger) how would i go around doing that ?

Thanks a lot
Guy

[The Geek]

here is the prototype for the version I am using. I havent been able to get the time to finish it so I havent - well - finished it however it does work for the most part.

If you get keen to finish it up - or anything you do to it to clean it up - let me know. I am sure many would benefit from it.

[The Geek]

oh, the image sizing is in gas settings

[tpr]

The Geek,
first thanks for the quick answer, im about 70% through creating a nice improved latest articles however i have a quick question. how do you handle the pictures ?
are they saved as attachments ? (you have a unique upload system so i assume not but i cant seem to find where the picture info is saved - theres no relevant filed in the geekarticle table),

Thanks again,
Tpr

[Polo]

Originally Posted by The Geek

nordino - ill have to check into that.

sv1cec - It is in the GAS_article_pb. There is an if clause around the header. If its an article (firstpost), show the article header. If not, show the comment style header.



HTHs

can someone give me some details step by step instructions on how to do this? i tried myself but i messed everything up I had to put things back to the original setup... i would really appreciate it thanks...