vbPopup will determine your guests to signup to your forums in an elegant way.
If a guest visit your forum (or a specific area of it), a popup will show (for a setable period of time) a message (you decide what you want, from hotest info in your forum, or simply an advertising banner) and an option to register. The great part of this hack is that it cannot be disabled by classic popup killers. :)

The hack is designed to make the popup show only to guests.
You can set the timer value by modifying vbpopup.js parameters and the popup's look by editing the vbpopup template. Also, all you have to add in your templates (the ones you want the popup to show) is: $vbpopup, so it doesn't take alot of time to edit the forums look. I recommend you to insert it only in showthread template, but that is up to you. ;)

ESTIMATED INSTALL TIME: 4 minutes

A 'vbpopup' template installer is included in the package. I tried to make your life easy. ;)
IMPORTANT: Run the template installer in root/forum/admin.

FILES TO MODIFY:
- root/forum/global.php
- headinclude template

A screenshoot is shown below. I recommend you to keep small the popup window size. In this way the newcommers will not get annoyed by the popup.

Comments, likes, dislikes are welcome. Fell free to post them all here. Also, post a link to your forums to show off your vbPopup integration (it might give ideas to others). :D

NOTE: The java code was inspired and modified to suit the VB needs from this script (you can see it in action). My hack will produce a similar efect on the forums pages. The only difference is a cleaner code to improve the load time and integration of VB variables.

UPDATE
-------------------------------
Ok, I eliminated the confusion in readme.txt file about the template installer.
The hack is attached in Post #9.
It seems to be a problem updating the attachments here. Anyway, I fixed this issue by reposting the .zip file below. Sorry about the inconvenience.

UPDATE
-------------------------------
As I said before, this hack is extremly easy to adjust to suit your forum needs. A good example is shown below:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...821#post222821

the VB integration. ;)

hmmmmm.. problems with the attachments. firefly, check it please.

Beatiful idea, I'll install it tommorrow as I need to sleep now!

Is there a link where we can see this in action (not just a screenshot)?

Thanks :)

i have VB hosted on my server (localhost). for the feel of this java code, you can look at the original script here. the java code included with this hack was optimised, but the feel is similar. :)

Working Great! Here's a demo on my forums:

http://www.games-fusion.net/therage/forums/index.php

(I changed the pic around :D)

I added $vbpopup to templates: forumhome, forumdisplay, & showthread

Works like a charm! Mad props to Nakkid! Great hack!

One problem tho, I had problems using your installer, kept getting errors, so I just manually added the template.

you must run the template installer in root/forum/admin. ;) i like the way you added the monkey in there.. :D

:)

Thats super lame - are you trying to get people to leave your forums?

Sorry - but I wouldn't install this, nor would I register anywhere which runs it.

the idea was started from show_nopermission. i agree that popups are annoying. but if you do it in a different way, by displaying the hottest thread for example in it, it might catch the attention of people who only want to read your forums as guests. let me know what you think. ty

now thats annoying

I don't think this is such a bad idea.. Maybe if the popup only lasted 2 or 3 seconds - just to soughta say, "Hey! Register. Okay?".. That wouldn't be so bad...

Thanks,

I had installed this dhtml on my site two weeks ago. It was giving me a java error for the registered guest, as the code in head include was looking for a non existant popup. I fixed by creating another template called ad_nopopup and place a blank table of 1x1 in it. This way the dhtml script was fooled by popingup that blank popup.

how can you make this LESS annoying.. does it let you set the size of the box and the reletive position on their screen? for instance right at the very bottom of the browser window?

A small, thin message...

Aghh....making me go nuts!! :D

Well I still think its a great hack, not to annoying....looks professional..(minus my leaping monkey)

is very easy. all you have to do is configure your vbpopup template the way you want it. i intended to use this window to post interesting information on it that will stimulate the user to signup. i'm gonna add a mod that will display random content in the popup, content that you will edit easy in a text file.

Sal Collaziano the popup will show the time you want. this option is setable.

Hum.... i see most thread will now include this little thing firefly did. I do wish {bbusername} would stop mis-using it. Anyway i have your money here {bbusername} :)

Great hack by the way :)

in my hack is fixed this problem. as i said, it is adapted to VB usage. the java script code and html combination is designed to be error free. give it a try, and let me know what you think.

totally disagree! Some forums do not even allow guests to browse. How will you entice new membership if you lock the door altogether? This is a smart way to let people take a peek inside without giving it all. I gain 131 new members since I installed this hack!
And I have my popup set at 20 full seconds. Granted, your forums must be appealing to do so.
{bbusername}, try to install this one, you'll like it. Do not keep your forum locked. That is even worst lame!

well, i'm glad i didn't go to 4am in the morning to bed for nothing. thanks lionel.

I hate pop-ups, and this thing would annoy me when I am not logged in, so I am sure it would annoy every one else.

This is a good idea: though the current pop-up is highly annoying!

But it got me thinking. Instead, then, I've written an "ad banners if not registered" 'hack' here:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?postid=222819 (It's not a hack, actually, just a template edit).

It looks like this:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/
Once a user registers, the ad banners disappear.

I really like that idea, definately would be a good convincer...

By the way, you folks should be nicer... He made this hack thinking some people would use it, and THEY DID. So it is a success. Why talk bad about his hack if noone is forcing or asking you to use it? Just say something like "I like the idea of getting people to register but not via a popup, because I think they are somewhat annoying"

It is depressing to see that some of these people can't just relax and, if they don't like a hack, don't read about it.

James, my hack it's fully customizable so you can edit the template the way it suits better for your forums, i mentioned this in the start thread, so you make it the way you want ;) good mod you have there.. however, your hack only adds a table at the top, mines scroll down while the user browse the board and you can edit vbpopup template to look the same as yours. ;)

nafae, thanks...

No worries, thanks for that.

The nice thing about this board is that it makes you think: I'm not claiming mine's any better than yours, just suits me better, that's all.

It was your idea: and a good idea, too.

Nakkid, I love this Hack and installed it.

"Don't bother ignorant people"

I have tried to change the location, but without any result.

What do I need to do to let it popup at the bottom in the center?
Please, show me with params.

01. open vbpopup.js and locate the line:change the -250 and -150 set of values to suit your needs.

02. in headinclude template, edit #vbplocation, more exacly the top and left locations.

experiment until you achieve the result you like.
hope that helped you. ;)

James, i really like your mod. getting jelous.. hehe :D great job and soo easy. i made the popup size to look closer to yours. :D
less editing for people...

Super, Thank you so much Nakkid !

you are more then welcome. :)

I've hacked my mod to show the ad banner until the user has verified their username (because otherwise you'll get lots of people registering as a@b.com or whatever). Not put the code here yet, though.

interesting mod. i will do the same. ;)

I got this installed and running over at www.sportcompactracing.com . Definetly a nice clean script.

I would like the script to stay static on the page though instead of scrolling down with the page. How would I go about this?

I just included this at the bottom of my forumhome template.

I went to a forum that had this so I left the forum and never returned. if you use these types of tactics your board is most likely smaller than it could be.

I along with most of the world HATE POPUPS! Quit your stupid popups. :P

Look at it this way:

How would someone know what is inside when you keep it for members only?

it all depends on how interesting your forums are. At least you are getting some sort of access and if you like what you see you'll signup.

What I think is stupid is to signup for what you do not know.

Calm down... :)

It's a great idea for a hack. All the hacks on this board are great ideas for hacks. I loved this idea, and made an alternative hack to show ad banners instead if a user wasn't registered.

I've signed up for two board without knowing what was inside purely on the subject matter. But that's not important: the important thing is that this hack was a great idea.

At first I was trying to use the quick registration popup but couldn't ever seem to get the cookies set right - so then I started looking at vBpopup - vBpopup works great you just have to make sure you place the template "caller" in the right place or it will popup on every page - I liked both and since the coding was already done I just combined them - before I start though someone has to tell me how to get the clickable code box on the post - I am very new and not familiar!

If you want to check it out go to:
http://www.thehobbyforum.com/forum/index.php?s=

<script language="JavaScript" src="vbpopup.js"></script>
<div id="vbplocation">
<table border="5" bordercolor="#0198C2" width="450" height="300" bgcolor="#0198C2" 5class="vbpmainframe">
<tr>
<td>
<table width="100%" height="100%" bgcolor="#21C4EA" align="center" class="vbpcontentframe">
<tr>
<td align="center">
<font size="4">Welcome To The Hobby Forum!</font>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td align="center"><font size="2">
If this is your first time here then please take the time to register. Registration is <b>FREE</b> and afterwards you can take advantage of all the great features this site has to offer, not to mention it's the only way to enter the contests to win free prizes! If you have any questions please refer to the <a href="http://www.thehobbyforum.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&s=">FAQ </a> section.</font>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td><HR WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" color="#0198C2"></td></tr>
<tr><td>
<form action="http://www.thehobbyforum.com/forum/register.php" method="post">
<input type="hidden" name="s" value="">

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4" width="100%" bgcolor="#21C4EA">
<!-- *** -->
<div align="center">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA" colspan="2"><font face="verdana" size="2" color="000000"><b><center>Registration is FREE!</center></b></font>
</td>
</tr>
</div>
<!-- *** -->
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><b>User Name:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><input type="text" name="username" size="25" maxlength="15"></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><b>Password:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><input type="password" name="password" size="25" maxlength="15"></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><b>Enter Password Again:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><input type="password" name="passwordconfirm" size="25" maxlength="15"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><b>Email:</b></font><br>
<font color="#000000" face="verdana" size="1">Please enter a <b>valid</b> email address.</font></td>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><input type="text" name="email" size="25" maxlength="50"></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><b>Enter Email Again:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><font class="nf"><input type="text" name="emailconfirm" size="25" maxlength="50"></font></td>
</tr>

<tr><td bgcolor="#21C4EA">

</td><td bgcolor="#21C4EA"><input type="hidden" name="allowmail" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="invisible" value="no">
<input type="hidden" name="showemail" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="cookieuser" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="nosessionhash" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="emailonpm" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="prunedays" value="-1">
<input type="hidden" name="umaxposts" value="-1">
<input type="hidden" name="startofweek" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="timezoneoffset" value="-5">
<input type="hidden" name="emailnotification" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="showsignatures" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="showavatars" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="showimages" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="vbcode" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="pmpopup" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="receivepm" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="url" value="http://www.thehobbyforum.com/">
<input type="hidden" name="action" value="addmember">
<input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Submit">
<input type="reset" name="Reset" value="Reset"></td>
</tr></font>
</td></tr></table>
</form>

<!-- End content area table -->
</td></tr>

</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

Since adding it last night my membership rate has well over tripled!!