Add-On Releases - 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

[Ted S]

It sounds like you are a bit of, let me explain...

The register take over message doesn't block anything but instead shows a warning message prompting guests to register (or informing them that they can't surf much longer depending on what you customize it to say).

The register block page is a stop page -- once on people can't view threads any longer and must register (or clear cookies) to get around it.

Both messages deal with thread viewing, both at determined by the number of thread views and either one can be used or both.

That make any more sense?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by RobbieZ

Hi Ted

Installed but this does not work for me.

it does not show any message after viewing 5 threads and does not block views after 10, both are turned on, and there are no forum variables in the last entry on adminCp

why would it have conflicts with visitor messages 3.7 when these are really only notices.

should i uninstall the 3.7 visitor messages(notices) and re-install the 3.6 visitor messages version?

The 3.6 version won't work with 3.7 so downgrading doesn't help. We don't use notices in this addon so that isn't an issue either.

Can you send me the URL to your forum when the system is enabled?

[NetRover]

Originally Posted by Ted S

It sounds like you are a bit of, let me explain...

The register take over message doesn't block anything but instead shows a warning message prompting guests to register (or informing them that they can't surf much longer depending on what you customize it to say).

The register block page is a stop page -- once on people can't view threads any longer and must register (or clear cookies) to get around it.

Both messages deal with thread viewing, both at determined by the number of thread views and either one can be used or both.

That make any more sense?

Hi Ted, yep!!

makes completely sense now, thanks very much

[RobbieZ]

Originally Posted by Ted S

The 3.6 version won't work with 3.7 so downgrading doesn't help. We don't use notices in this addon so that isn't an issue either.

Can you send me the URL to your forum when the system is enabled?

Sorry Ted.. U want me to PM my URL to you ??

*EDIT* When I log out to check that this works.. All my cookies are cleared.. is this a possibility why im not seeing this work ??

[Ted S]

You can post it here or PM me, your preferance.

When you logout you lose your cookies but the LGV cookie will be started up when you visit again as a guest and starts counting down views from that point on.

[Javierogo]

Nice. Thanks!

[AzaDiyaR]

thanks very cool mod..

but this hacks work with cookies... if you delete cookies.. you can view 10 post again.. and again if you delete cookies every time... this is bad...

this must be work with IP and log to mysql... after 1 day so can be deleted ignored IP from log...

this can be perfect...

and sorry for my english...

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by AzaDiyaR

thanks very cool mod..

but this hacks work with cookies... if you delete cookies.. you can view 10 post again.. and again if you delete cookies every time... this is bad...

this must be work with IP and log to mysql... after 1 day so can be deleted ignored IP from log...

this can be perfect...

and sorry for my english...

The mod is intentionally built this way... The purpose of the LGV system isn't to stop people from viewing threads entirely but rather to prevent them from doing so easily. There's a lot of ways around any system, IP and database driven ones included and that was not my goal. Furthermore, with the IP system there's a lot of extra queries and load being added which are only necessary for the 0.01% of people who want to avoid registering and take the time to clear cookies to keep browsing for free.

The whole point here is to push people towards signing in/ signing up, not to build a truly unbeatable system.

[AzaDiyaR]

Originally Posted by Ted S

The mod is intentionally built this way... The purpose of the LGV system isn't to stop people from viewing threads entirely but rather to prevent them from doing so easily. There's a lot of ways around any system, IP and database driven ones included and that was not my goal. Furthermore, with the IP system there's a lot of extra queries and load being added which are only necessary for the 0.01% of people who want to avoid registering and take the time to clear cookies to keep browsing for free.

The whole point here is to push people towards signing in/ signing up, not to build a truly unbeatable system.

himm you rht okay thanks

[Hitterman]

Thanks for this hack but is it compatible with the tabbed forum?