Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register
 

Version 2.0 of this addon which allows for IP tracking using a mySQL database has been released. This is an optional feature which is disabled by default.


With vBulletin, forum guests are able to view endless amounts of content without being directly asked or forced to register no matter how many times they come back. The purpose of the Limited Guest Viewing System is to drive in registrations by limiting the number of threads guests are able to view without interruption.

This plugin offers two options which can be used to drive in more registrations. The first option allows you to show a reminder message or advertisement after a guest has viewed a certain number of threads. The second option puts up a roadblock stopping guests from viewing threads altogether after reaching a certain number of views. Both options work together to encourage and ultimately force anonymous visitors to either register or login but can also be used separately based on your individual needs.


Modifications/ Instructions:
Template edits: 1
Plugins: 1 (adds 1 template and several settings)
SQL Queries: 2 [1 insert/update] (optional)

This template hack should take under 5 minutes to implement and customize.

Customizing the content / messages:
To customize which messages appear or what they say, go to vBulletin options, select the ?Limited Guest Viewing System? group and configure the options as desired. Each phase can be modified by adding translation text.

Through the ACP you can enable or disable each option, specify the number of threads that can be viewed before the option is enabled and input any forums you wish to exclude from being blocked.

Search Engine Bots (Spiders):

This plugin is intended to use cookies as a result few if any bots will be impacted when it comes to spidering your site [bots do not generally use cookies]. Users with IP logging enabled face more potential impact from spiders. For a full explanation of the impact on bots please read the install file. Questions about this issue should be asked after the install file will be read otherwise responses will direct you to read the file.

IP/ Database Logging:
As of version 2.0 this addon now allows for IP logging via mySQL instead of just using cookies. IP logging tracks visitors by IP address stopping issues associated with cookie clearing making the system more secure. This is optional and is turned off by default.




There are 3 possible downsides of this option you should be aware of.

1. The system adds an additional query and update every time a guest views a thread which adds to your server load.
2. Some users on ISPs like AOL share IPs and could be forced to register without being able to access any threads.
3. While spiders often change IPs and are specifically excluded (by hostmask) from the addon this is not absolute and it is possible they could be blocked. See the install file for more on this.

Welcome headers compatibility:
The Limited Guest Viewing is designed to work with the Welcome Headers System version 3.6 without any conflict. If you are using the notices system in 3.7 there is the possibility of duplicating messages.

Updates
- 12/10/2008 - Bug update to fix issue #2-01
-10/30/2008 - Release of version 2.0 beta
-05/04/2008 - Release of 3.7.0 version

Post held for future use.

Anything concerning GUESTS is a must...

Keep the ball rolling...

I'm getting a XML Error: Mismatched tag at Line 7.

Thank you , will this affect search bots?

Please feel free to share your feedback and thoughts... I'm planning to release a few changes in the future and am always game for including user suggestions as well.

Please read the install file and let me know if you have any questions after that point.

On updating:

XML Error: Mismatched tag at Line 7

Thank you alot now I know :P

Just use the Version for 3.6 and hit update before uploading the XML. I got same error

Good idea. Worked.

Silly last minute typo. Please download the revised version and give it another whirl.

I'm gettin an "invalid attachment" error message when trying to download the zip.

Edit: works now, I must have tried downloading while you were uploading new file.

Thanks,
Jason

Thank you Ted, have been waiting for this, glad to have the updated version on board :up:

I just cant decide if the roadblock option is ultimately a bad choice and will lose the guest for good or will this motivate the lazy bastard to register.

Also can you give us a complete list of what bots you allowed to get unrestricted access

Thank you for the release! I've been waiting for a 3.7 version of this hack.

The information on bots is clearly given, I have not seen any issue with bots all the time I ran this on v3.6.

Please read the install file which explains how bots are handled and let me know if you still have any questions after that point. Thank you.

What use is guest to you other than traffic enhancing? I think this is a great idea but need to be sure that all bots get through.

Brilliant downloading!

You rock!!! Thanks man!

To those of you wondering, I used this on 3.6 and google still indexed me along with other search engines!

EDIT: What is this possibility of duplicating messages?

thank you very much

If you use the notices system and show a message to guests it would also be possible to have a limited guest viewing message show at the same time, as both messages would likely be similar in nature, this would be duplication. If no do not use notices, use welcome headers 3.6 version or do not use the LGV message option this does not apply.

It doesnt really bother me if it tells them to register in the header and LGV. Course the way I have it set up it tells them HEY your views that you can use are exceeded, but wait register and view all you want". I only have that enabled in LGV I don't have the register warning thing.

Ive had the 3.6 version installed on my 3.7 forum for a few weeks now. Registrations have gone through the roof, however members and moderators are starting to complain that they are not happy about this system.

Ive got it set to view 10 pages (150 posts). Im all for it tbh, although starting to have doubts due to the complaints coming in.

I wish the bit about adding

$lgvmessage

was clearer at the end of the template is abit vague!

Thanks for the feedback but to be frank, it's listed as it's own step in the instructions with the template name and variable in red. After years of working on sites and writing documentation I'm fairly certain that anyone who reads the install file will find it (as evidenced by the fact that only a handful of people in the thousands of install in this and my other addons ever have an issue getting it in).

I think the real issue is that people have become very much use to plugin-only addons and skip instruction files unless things don't work right. :D

No i disagree its usual to add find this

Code

then change/add/remove after

Code

Great, that's exactly what's in the install guide. Thanks again for your feedback.

This isn't working for me, i've changed the settings many times but whenever i log out and try and view things i can view as much as i want :S

Edit: The only way i can get it to work is by turning everything on.

I am new to Vbulletin. Where am I supposed to upload the file? Thanks

What are you trying to do? What are you settings? What "doesn't work"?

Nice mod,thanks.

This isn't working... :confused:

Guests are still able to see forums

It's not working isn't something I can help much with... let's diagnose more.

Are you properly excluding only the forums you don't want seen with a comma delimited list?

Have you completely logged out and viewed the site enough times in the appropriate forums?

What is the url to the site and IDs of 5 forums that aren't excluded?

Nice idea........... i agree guests are purely traffic enhancement, but the bots are needed as we all know.

Sorry man, thank you, its work great :up:

Installed!!!

:)

Came back to click the installed button. Worked as advertised right out of the box. Now let's see if it does any good for my little place.

Thanks for this addon! ** Installed **

I was thinking another addition to this that would be nice would be to allow guests to read a defined portion of posts/threads then chop it off and add the "More..." link or a link that says something like "To read more, please register."

Just a thought. :)

Jim