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 SFertitta72

Is this compatible with 3.6.10??

No. This is for 3.7.

[Traxdata]

Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

for guests only or can I motivate some usergroups to post with this hack?
thank you

[bond010007]

<font color="green">great mod i really looking for one like that yhank you so much</font>

[shadyninja]

my favorite mod

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Traxdata

for guests only or can I motivate some usergroups to post with this hack?
thank you

This is written for guests and isn't about posting but registering. I'd suggest looking at welcome headers if you want to get more posting.

[desmomax]

great mod.. but i dont understand how it works.
i mean, i have set all my forum in order to let see the subjects but not read the threads to not-registered users.

Now i have installaed your mod but, if i try to read a thread not logged on, i see the normal error message that explain that i dont have permission or.. etc..

so.. what i did wrong? why dosnt work?

many thanx

[Ted S]

great mod.. but i dont understand how it works.

That's a bit of an odd statement but ok....

i mean, i have set all my forum in order to let see the subjects but not read the threads to not-registered users.

Now i have installaed your mod but, if i try to read a thread not logged on, i see the normal error message that explain that i dont have permission or.. etc..

If you've set your forums not to let guests view threads then this mod won't do anything. The point of the mod is to stop people from viewing more than a certain number of threads (i.e. they can see 5 then can't see anymore) hence the name "limited guest viewing". To make it "work" they [guests] have to be able to see threads. If you don't want them seeing threads ever don't use this mod.

[desmomax]

OK.. i understand, now it works.. i gave full access to visitor and your mod stop them after xx thread read..
very nice!
a question:

it works just with cookies? if a user delete his cookies he can read 5 more thread?

[Ted S]

Yes it is cookie based. Yes if they remove cookies it will reset their count so they can read again.

[wma]

hello,

great mod! i have installed it in my vb 3.7.3 PL1, but the mod dont work.

my guests are have full access to the forums and to the threads. now i've installed the mod and ste the view limit to 2 (for a test). i choose another browser (safari, normaliy i surf with IE) and browse through my board. but i didn't get any message.

here are my settings:

Enable Limited Guest Viewing
yes

Enable Register Take-Over Message
yes

Register Take-Over Message Count
2

Enable Register Block Page
no

Register Block Page Count
10

i have test it with another browser (firefox), but the mod don't work.

any idea?

thanks for help!

best regards
tom