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 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

In firefox browse to see if you have the cookie with the name "lgv". Let me know if those shows up or not (as a guest of course).

[wma]

hi and thanks for your fast replay!

so, i have read your install instruction again ;-) ... and put the $lgv... in the template navbar (at the end). in safari i have seen ONE TIME the message, but no more. in firefox i dont see the message.

so i open firebug and allow cookies, here are the results:

bcuserlgv=31; expires=Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:40 GMT; path=/; domain=www.xxxxxxx.de

i can't see the message in FF too.

best regards,
tom

[TheFocusElf]

I have the mod installed, but it is not showing in on any pages, or even on VBA's CMPS.

I searched the thread and am shrugging in dismay.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by TheFocusElf

I have the mod installed, but it is not showing in on any pages, or even on VBA's CMPS.

I searched the thread and am shrugging in dismay.

Have you added the variable to your templates? Are you viewing the threads as a guest?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by wma

hi and thanks for your fast replay!

so, i have read your install instruction again ;-) ... and put the $lgv... in the template navbar (at the end). in safari i have seen ONE TIME the message, but no more. in firefox i dont see the message.

so i open firebug and allow cookies, here are the results:

bcuserlgv=31; expires=Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:40 GMT; path=/; domain=www.xxxxxxx.de

i can't see the message in FF too.

best regards,
tom

Looks like the cookie made it. Did you add the variable to your templates to make the message show up?

[wma]

hello,

"... and put the $lgv... in the template navbar (at the end)"

yes, i do so, but nothings show. i put the variable only to the template $navbar.

is this right?

[Ted S]

The variable is $lgvmessage and should go in the navbar template for each style where it is modified (this may require editing multiple templates if you offer more than one style).

[wma]

hi ted,

the i do it right.
ich haveput the variable in the main style (and this is the only style) at the end of the template navbar. here is a snap :

PHP Code:

...
<!-- / PAGENAV POPUP -->
</if>

$ad_location[ad_navbar_below]
$lgvmessage 


after i edit the navbar i have seen the message for one time in safari, but no times in IE or in FF. i surfed as guest...


best regards,
tom

[TheFocusElf]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Have you added the variable to your templates? Are you viewing the threads as a guest?

Ted, I want to thank you for your reply. And yes I did make all the changes specified, removing the "guest viewing" portion of code, etc.

About an hour AFTER making this post, it suddenly started working and displaying on my testing machine, so... cache issue? I don't know. But it is working, and it is fantastic. So I thank you.

Embedded some video too!

[desmomax]

I dont understand.. i have to insert in navbar the text like this:

<!-- / PAGENAV POPUP -->
</if>
$lgvmessage

or as inserted above:
<!-- / PAGENAV POPUP -->
</if>

$ad_location[ad_navbar_below]
$lgvmessage

anyway.. i cant see nothing in my navbar..
why?
thanx