[Ted S]

Here is the actual code which you can add yourself if so desired (rather than use the plugin).

At the end of your header template add:

<if condition="THIS_SCRIPT != 'register' AND THIS_SCRIPT != 'login'">
<if condition="$show['guest']"> 
	<!-- guest welcome message --> 
	<br />
	<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
	<thead>
	<tr> 
	<td class="alt1" colspan="6">
	    <phrase 1="faq.php?$session[sessionurl]" 2="register.php?$session[sessionurl]">$vbphrase[first_visit_message]</phrase>
	     $vbphrase[welcome_ads]
	</td>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	</table>
	<!-- / guest welcome message -->
<else /> 

<if condition="is_member_of($bbuserinfo, 3)">
	<!-- / unconfirmed user message -->
	<br />
	<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
	<thead>
	<tr> 
	<td class="alt1" colspan="6">
	   $vbphrase[welcome_unconfirmed]
	   $vbphrase[welcome_ads]
	</td>
	</tr> 
	</thead>
	</table>
	<!-- / unconfirmed user message -->
<else />

<if condition="$bbuserinfo[posts]<1">
	<!-- never posted message -->
	<br />
	<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
	<thead>
	<tr>
	  <td class="alt1" colspan="6">
	     <phrase 1="$bbuserinfo[username]">$vbphrase[welcome_neverposted]</phrase>
	      $vbphrase[welcome_ads]
	 </td>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	</table>  
	<!-- / never posted message -->
<else /> 

<if condition="$headerstime - 1209600 > $bbuserinfo[lastpost]">
	<!-- never posted message -->
	<br /> 
	<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center"> 
	<thead>
	<tr> 
	    <td class="alt1" colspan="6">
	       <phrase 1="$bbuserinfo[username]">$vbphrase[welcome_postmoreoften]</phrase>
	        $vbphrase[welcome_ads]
	   </td>
	</tr>
	</thead>
	</table>
	<!-- / never posted message -->
</if>
</if>
</if>
</if>
</if>

Then added 3 global phrases as follows:

welcome_unconfirmed

Your account has not been confirmed and is not yet active! To become a registered user on this forum (required for posting or accessing special features) you will need to verify your email address by clicking a special link sent to you in our original welcome email. If you have lost this email, or it never arrived, please go <a href="./register.php?do=requestemail">here</a> to request another activation email be sent to you. If you suspect your email address is set wrong, go <a href="./sendmessage.php">here</a> and fill the form out so an administrator can fix your account. Also please be sure to disable any spam filters you may have for our website, so that this and all future messages can reach you.

welcome_neverposted

Hello {1},<br />Our records indicate that you have never posted to our site before! Why not make your first post today by saying hello to our community in our Introductions forum. <br /><br /> Why not start with your first post today and become an active part {2} forums now!

welcome_postmoreoften

Hello {1} it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums?

I also recommend you udpate the standard welcome phrase first_visit_message to something along the lines of:

<SPAN class=smallfont>Welcome to Welcome to the <strong>{3}</strong> forums. <br /><br />You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access our other FREE features. By joining our <strong>free</strong> community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, <a href="{2}"><strong>join our community today</strong></a>! <br /><br />If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact <a href="/sendmessage.php">contact support</a>.

My appologies for all of the problems. This hack has been working successfuly on many sites for almost a year, unfortunately the plugin has some hiccups but I'm sure those can be resolved shortly.