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

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by The Geek

in the readme it recommended renaming your admincp dir back to the default for the install.
However you can simply run the install again, but ONLY CHOOSE the manual file change Link.
THere you will see a list of all file changes needing to be made. Look for the admincp/index step, click on it and follow the directions to manaully edit your admincp/index.php file.

HTH's

I accidently stuck the code in the wrong place the first time :nervous: above "canadminusers" instead of "canadminstyles".

Thanks.

[Troy McClure]

Thank you very much Geek, that did the trick. Can't wait to get into it and start using it.

Troy

[aloha]

Is there a reason why my forum looks like this? Hmmm...

Did I miss a step somewhere?

[SoloX]

I have been using VB for years now and I must say GEEK is prolly the best coder when it comes to support issues. Not only that he has produced an excellent mod but stands by it and provides the lil extra help that is needed in many cases to get a mod suit to your needs. Way to go, GEEK!

[KTBleeding]

Originally Posted by SoloX

I have been using VB for years now and I must say GEEK is prolly the best coder when it comes to support issues. Not only that he has produced an excellent mod but stands by it and provides the lil extra help that is needed in many cases to get a mod suit to your needs. Way to go, GEEK!

That and his humorous personality. I use every hack he has made except for the GAB system due to me not having a use for it at this time. But, if I ever do decide to implement banners, I'm def going with Geek.

I feel like I owe him so much for providing these excellent hacks, and backing them up with support when he doesn't need to.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by KTBleeding

That and his humorous personality. I use every hack he has made except for the GAB system due to me not having a use for it at this time. But, if I ever do decide to implement banners, I'm def going with Geek.

I feel like I owe him so much for providing these excellent hacks, and backing them up with support when he doesn't need to.

Thanks guys. Buy me a virtual beer

Glad I can be of help and even galdder that it is infrequent that I need to give any

On that note ->Aloha... try reverting your GAS_forumdisplay template.

[greenhybrid]

How does this differ form v3articles, are there any reasons to transfer, and is there a transfer utility?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by greenhybrid

How does this differ form v3articles, are there any reasons to transfer, and is there a transfer utility?

Hey green.

There are several - however the REAL difference for me is that your articles are part of your forum instead of a bolt on. That means when you search - articles are included. Not to mention that anything you can do within a forum/thread/post you can do with this (i.e. usergroups, attachments, bbcode, wysiwyg editing, blahblahblah).
It leaves vb to do the work and it just displays it differently (well, thats kind of an understatement - but in a nutshell, thats it).

I never used v3articles - however I did write an importer for it which is attached to the first post.

If you want integration - this is your best bet - however some like the articles decoupled. If thats the case - stick with v3 or cinqs.

Other users will be able to give you a better viewpoint between the two.
Good luck.

[greenhybrid]

It would be nice to include the articles in searching, but my website is set up so they're pretty separate: http://www.greenhybrid.com Take a look at the Discuss vs. Learn sections.

The v3articles.com website appears to be down and it doesn't seem there are new developments. You don't think the developer quit, do you?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by greenhybrid

It would be nice to include the articles in searching, but my website is set up so they're pretty separate: http://www.greenhybrid.com Take a look at the Discuss vs. Learn sections.

The v3articles.com website appears to be down and it doesn't seem there are new developments. You don't think the developer quit, do you?

is that cinqs system? I keep getting cinqs and johns mixed up.
I dont know about johns, but I think cinq is making his a paid only hack (dont quote me on that though).
Anyway - as I said - depends on what you want. You can get pretty much the same thing with GAS. The articles homepage you have would be different though.
It just depends on what you want. In the end - if its not broken should you fix it?
I am sure others have their viewpoints on the two systems (I also know of several that use cinqs and mine together).

Good luck