[BoardTracker]

Originally Posted by Tralala

What about if my board is private (ie: not open for public browsing or registration?)

Can I still install BoardTracker as an improvement to/replacement for vB's default search?

BoardTracker spiders boards using a normal user account "BoardTracker" so you can define exactly what forums you want it to access based on the vbulletin user permissions system.

If you want it to index private forums simply give that user account access to those. However this means that those threads are searchable on boardtracker to everyone - of course only the basic info that appears in the search results (title/snippet etc) is visible on boardtracker and they still have to register/login to your board to read the threads.

This is actually a good way to get new members since they get a small 'teaser' in the form of a snippet in search results on boardtracker or in tagclouds if the threads are tagged also and then they have to visit your board and register to read and reply. This way people will know that there is a thread about a topic that interests them on your board even if they had previously never heard of your board.

Also note that boardtracker has an alerts system which will send an email or instant message to our users based on alerts terms they define so they get alerted when a thread is posted on your board matching that term which helps bring in more visitors and new members to the boards.