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]

Originally Posted by Hitterman

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

Your best bet is to try it and find out.

[ched999uk]

This is a great Hack, the previouse owner installed it and its great but I cant get the RSS feeds to work and i was wondering if anyone else had installed the hack and RSS feeds working? I dont think this is the cause but I keep reading that the forum must be open to public viewing and this hack stops that after a number of thread views.

So great hack but does anyone use the hack and RSS feeds?

Cheers

[Ted S]

This addon has no impact on the RSS system, does not change your forum's data or settings and doesn't even know RSS exists. With this addon your site still is open to the public and since no settings change with vBulletin, nothing is there to tell your RSS feeds otherwise.

And yes, I use them together on several sites.

[ched999uk]

Ted S thanks very much for your reply. I am very happy to hear that you run your great hack with RSS feeds working. I will have to investigate further to find my problem.
Thanks again for a great hack.

[Deimos]

It definatly does drive up the registration count

From September 1st to 21st, I average anywhere between 1-5 registrations a day
I turned it on for two days, both days had 9 new registrations
Turned it off, it went back down to 2, 3, 5, 6, 2, 3
Turned it on again on September 30th, 13 new registrations.

[klyde]

Hi!

Here it doesn't appear the take-over msg but if i enable the register block page this feature works fine.

I have added $lgvmessage at the end on my navbar template, have enabled the mod and take-over msg option and i haven't excluded any forum (0 at this option)

why doesn't it work correctly to me?

Thanks in advance!!

Btw, it's an awesome mod!

[Ted S]

Double check that $lgvmessage is in all of your modified template styles... sometimes people miss one or two. If it is please PM the url and the number of views it should appear at.

[OsideRida06]

Thanks. I marked this one as installed!

[azzaro]

Thanks for this mod . very useful .
i have a problem with my ads which i add it in my header .
when guests see this error message my ad goes right !!
it is in center .

normal :






after using this mode :

[SFertitta72]

Is this compatible with 3.6.10??