Alexa Toolbar Users Rewarding System - Boost your Alexa rank

[Milad]

Alexa Toolbar Users Rewarding System - Boost your Alexa rank

Brought to you by Milad (http://www.milado.net/) and Syrian Medical Society (http://www.syrianmeds.net/)

Description:
This helps you rewarding alexa toolbar users, by adding them to a secondary usergroup with extra privileges.

Version:
1.2.0

Requirements:
vBulletin: 3.6.0 and above. or 3.5.0 and above.

Functions:
- Automatically detects Alexa Toolbar Users and add them to a secondary usergroup (We will call it as Alexa Toolbar Users Group, ATUG).
- If a user uninstall the Alexa Toolbar, he will be removed from the ATUG automatically and won't be able to get advantages of rewarding anymore.
- Remarks the users in 'Currently Active Users' and 'Who's online' with special image. (see shot 1 & 2).
- You can Change the previous mark by editing the function mark_as_alexa_toolbar_user.
- You can determine which usergroups will be added to ATUG from usergroups permission.
and more to come later.

Installation:
- upload a small gif image, dimensioned about 15 X 15 or 20 X 20, and named alexa.gif, to FORUM_ROOT/images/
- upload bitfield_alexa_users_rewarding.xml to FORUM_ROOT/includes/xml/
- Import the product file: product-alexa_users_rewarding.xml
- Add new usegroup, call it 'Alexa Toolbar Users' and set its permissions as privileges.
- Note the previous usergroupid and add it in the setting: Alexa Toolbar Users Rewarding System Options -> Secondary Usergroup.
- Take care about the permission: "Allow Users to have Member Groups". if it's set to 'No' for a usergroup, then users of that group won't be affected by this hack. I set it to 'No' for usergroups: Unregistered / Not Logged In, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation, (COPPA) Users Awaiting Moderation and Banned Users.
- Set the new permission "Can be added to Alexa Toolbar Usergroup" for your usergroups.
- enjoy

Upgrading from 1.0.0 to 1.2.0:
- Upload the previous mentioned files.
- Import the product file: product-alexa_users_rewarding.xml and choose "yes" for "Allow Overwrite" option.
- Set the new permission "Can be added to Alexa Toolbar Usergroup" for your usergroups.
- enjoy

How can you get advantages of this product?
- Announce to your users that you give extra privileges for Alexa Toolbar users.
For example:
* larger PM inbox.
* Special Forum like in premium memberships.
* integrate this hack with other hacks, like shoutbox.
* etc.
- But be careful, don't deprive normal users of permissions they used to have before, just give an extra.
- Also you must be familiar with usergroup permissions, for more read this (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183433) to know how you will get the maximum of this product.

Note for coders:
You can integrate this hack with yours by using the variable $reward_user (Set in init_startup hook.)
$reward_user = true if the user has Alexa Toolbar.
$reward_user = false if the user hasn't Alexa Toolbar.
Or use the function has_alexa_toolbar($useragent) (declared in init_startup hook.)
It returns true if the user has Alexa Toolbar.
It returns false if the user hasn't Alexa Toolbar.

History:
- 1.0.0 first release, 14. march 2007
- 1.2.0 , 19. march 2007

What's new in 1.2.0?
- The code had been improved for best performance.
- New usergroup permission add to determine which usergroup will be affected by this product.
- The product alters the database.

As usual, support is given for who clicks install :)

[Subah]

Cool , I`ll try it , Thanks ;)

[abramelin]

what is the advantage of using alexa toolbar for my site?

[projectego]

Nice idea... sounds interesting. :)

[syrus.xl]

Nice idea - if you want to increase your PR with Alexa - But the Alexa Toolbar is SPYWARE, therefore I can't see why anyone would want to install it.

I have about 5-10 unique visitors a month with Alexa installed, but I certainly don't recommend my members to install it.

[Milad]

what is the advantage of using alexa toolbar for my site?

Alexa has a ranking system for world wide websites, you can increase your rank by recommend the toolbar to your users

[Milad]

Nice idea - if you want to increase your PR with Alexa - But the Alexa Toolbar is SPYWARE, therefore I can't see why anyone would want to install it.

I have about 5-10 unique visitors a month with Alexa installed, but I certainly don't recommend my members to install it.

It's not spyware, some unti-spyware policies consider the toolbar as a spyware, but actually it's not, because it doesn't do anything out of Alexa Privacy Policy, they say that they gather information about sites you visit anonymously, and they do that.

If you don't accept that policy don't use the toolbar, but it's not spyware.

Spywares gather information but don't tell you that. Alexa Toolbar does.

For example Google gather information, why they don't consider it as a spyware?

This is the fact of crazy policies.

[Endurer]

Awesome. I'll install it tonight. Any chances for a Google toolbar version?

[Milad]

It doesn't need.

[Ntfu2]

Nice hack, but obviously this isn't going to help your alexa rank one bit.

Users install alexa, they still visit other sites not just your site therefore other sites will record hits as well, and you'll gain nothing.

[syrus.xl]

Alexa Information from F-Secure.com

http://www.f-secure.com/sw-desc/alexa.shtml

[redstaing.net]

hi thx
sokran brother nice work

[Mr Chad]

Nice hack, but obviously this isn't going to help your alexa rank one bit.

Users install alexa, they still visit other sites not just your site therefore other sites will record hits as well, and you'll gain nothing.
... it will bring your rank up compared to your competition.

[Reeve of shinra]

Interesting idea with a clever implementation. I think this deserves extra kudos.

[SaN-DeeP]

This is an interesting idea for sure but increasing alexa ranking wont bring any additional traffic/ranking to a forum.

[DJ XtAzY]

This is an interesting idea for sure but increasing alexa ranking wont bring any additional traffic/ranking to a forum.

BUT it will bring advertisers to buy ad space so you will generate more money when you're a publisher

[Ntfu2]

... it will bring your rank up compared to your competition.

Cause alot of value is put on alexa rank, and you dont think most your users visit/check out your competition too?

And you also fail to see the point, if you increase the users that visit your site and use alexa by 1000, then thats also 1000 more users that are going to be visiting other sites, which will nullify what your trying to do.

[alqloob alsahya]

Thanks (:

مشكور حبيب قلبي

تشرفنا بك

[NeWNoKiA]

Thanks Milad You are Good Developer (^_^)

[AzzidReign]

I don't think some of you guys know why you would want to have a better Alexa rank. For one, if you went to sell your site you would probably make more money if you had a good Google PR/SERPs PLUS Alexa Ranking. It's easy to get a decent PR site...all you need is other high PR sites linking to you...still doesn't mean you are getting good traffic. Another good this is if you are looking to sell ad space on your site, people look at your alexa rank to see how much traffic you are actually getting [edit: I didn't see that someone already mentioned this].

This is a good idea...to a point. I've heard that if you install the widgets (http://www.alexa.com/site/site_stats/signup) on your site that it helps your rank. I've noticed a huge jump in my rankings since I have...it's all just in theory. But anything to make your site stats look better is a plus IMHO.

And to everyone saying that its no benefit to you to have your users have alexa toolbar you are crazy. Yeah, they may be surfing other sites but usually not the sites you are competing with. For me, I have thousands of loyal users and most of them surf my site nearly ALL day. As long as you have a decent site and people are surfing your site quite a bit, this will help.

[gsm4arab1]

good idea ..Thank you Dr.Milad

[ArabSQuad]

Great idea mate !! thanks alot

Installed >> www.arabsquad.com/vb

* Clicks Install :)

[Milad]

1.2.0 have just been released:

What's new in 1.2.0?
- The code had been improved for best performance.
- New usergroup permission add to determine which usergroup will be affected by this product.
- The product alters the database.

[Milad]

Please read the entire first post, there are many changes.

[unknowngiver]

how does the alexa people know that the user installed the toolbar because you told them to? do you add a code in ur website or something?

[Milad]

They know through the Alexa toolbar itself

[Attilitus]

Cause alot of value is put on alexa rank, and you dont think most your users visit/check out your competition too?

And you also fail to see the point, if you increase the users that visit your site and use alexa by 1000, then thats also 1000 more users that are going to be visiting other sites, which will nullify what your trying to do.
That is fuzzy incorrect logic. If the average user with alexa toolbar on the internet visits your site .01 times in their internet-life, but members of your site visit over 1,000 times in their internet life, encouraging your members to install the toolbar will increase the average visits alexa-users make to your site, thus increasing your rank.

[TCattitude]

Nice :)
Thanks for this ;)

[Brandon Sheley]

Nice hack, but obviously this isn't going to help your alexa rank one bit.

Users install alexa, they still visit other sites not just your site therefore other sites will record hits as well, and you'll gain nothing.

lol.. nice logic...

This is a nice idea, I just don't know if I want to make another group for the alexa owners. I'll bookmark the page and think about it :)

Thanks

[egyptsons]

Great
Thanks;)

[Menasim]

Nice hack bro, But the problem that it doesn't work for firefox alexa users because the alexa toolbar in firefox don't change the user agent :), I hope someone can find a solution for that.

[baghdad4ever]

thanks milad

is it work on 3.7.0??

and what about this


https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=1409768&postcount=31

[Milad]

Nice hack bro, But the problem that it doesn't work for firefox alexa users because the alexa toolbar in firefox don't change the user agent :), I hope someone can find a solution for that.
true.

this is because the Firefox plug-in, not the hack

[Milad]

is it work on 3.7.0??

I assume it works, but didn't test it.

[baghdad4ever]

please milad

test it with

3.7.0 rc4

i think it doesnt work

im waiting you يابطل

[Milad]

It's working in my site.

[baghdad4ever]

It's working in my site.

hi dear milad


it is not work on 3.7.0

i just upgrade my forum and problem occur

see this please

http://www.baghdad4ever.net/vb/showpost.php?p=951962&postcount=229

im waiting you

[baghdad4ever]

hi milad

is there any chance to be work on 3.7.0?

[Milad]

Please, don't get me angry, I already said: it does work on vB3.7! Try it in my forum!

[baghdad4ever]

im sorry DR milad

i dont know why this file is deleted from my server

bitfield_alexa_users_rewarding.xml

i upload it again

and every thing going normal

im sorry for bothering you

thanks

[Milad]

Never mind Husam!

I'm willing to release a new version soon, with new features!

[baghdad4ever]

thank you

and we are waiting the next amazing release

[Milad]

Sponsor required!

A new feature is under development. I need to pay to a source of information.

The source of information requires payment via credit card only (I don't have one), and doesn't accept PayPal which I have.

Now, a sponsor is required to pay, instead of me, to the that source.
The payment is small and depends on you! between $5 - $10, $10 is preferred.

If you would help, please send a PM to me. more info will be revealed via PMs.

Best regards

[baghdad4ever]

hi milad

can you put the post condition in the hack

ie:

the user install alexa toolbar plus x posts

thanks

[Hornstar]

Did you ever get a sponsor? did you ever finish the update you were working on?

I might be interested if I know what you had planned in the update.

[Milad]

I've worked on it, but never finished it since then. I couldn't test the code, because I don't have a credit card.

[shrian.al7b]

it is work in vb 3.8 or not ????

[Milad]

It does work I think!

[xml]

does it work for vbulletin 4 ?

[mustafasst]

Thanks

I tried it on 3.8.5 working fine but not showing the alexa.gif beside the member

its not compatable with firefox

[azyya]

install

[baghdad4ever]

does it work for 4.1.2?

[home9000]

good but the installation look like a puzzle