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 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

Either way is fine.

Why? Not sure... if it's installed, on and the cookie is set it will show up. Send me a URL...

[abrecher]

Is there any way we can use an image instead of the text that's shown to guests ?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by abrecher

Is there any way we can use an image instead of the text that's shown to guests ?

You sure can... just edit the template file limited_guest_viewing to have whatever HTML you like. For the block message you would have to add the image to the message phrase; you can't change the entire page to be an image although I doubt that was your question

[wma]

ted,

it works. now. after 2 days of install. i think, my system stores an older cookie ... a very great work and many thanks for support!

and now .. i need a hack to motivate users, who registered and have still 0 posts on there counter ;-)))))

best regards,
tom

[M A T]

Good, worked !

[MonkYZ]

Is there a way i could "reset" the counter ? Let's say, after a week or so, even guests to be allowed (again) to see the pages for "x" times.

Also, i was wondering, is this search engines friendly ? I am afraid for some search bots to not be stopped by Limited Guest Viewing

Thx in advance !

[Armageddonz]

Thanks for this useful mod. Mark as installed. =)

[K4GAP]

I'm wanting to install this but since I'm just a step above newbie, are all the bugs worked out yet? I'm a scaredy cat and don't want to have to dig into an area I don't know much about. Is it safe to just install from file? Or are there other things I'll have to do?

Thanks'
Gary

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by GaryT

I'm wanting to install this but since I'm just a step above newbie, are all the bugs worked out yet? I'm a scaredy cat and don't want to have to dig into an area I don't know much about. Is it safe to just install from file? Or are there other things I'll have to do?

Thanks'
Gary

There are no known bugs for this addon. That said, if you are not comfertable running addons and modifying templates you should not use them or should have an admin on your team who can assist you.

The installation process is explained in the install file which can be found with the plugin zipfile.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by MonkYZ

Is there a way i could "reset" the counter ? Let's say, after a week or so, even guests to be allowed (again) to see the pages for "x" times.

This is certainly something you could add but does not exist in the system today.

Originally Posted by MonkYZ

Also, i was wondering, is this search engines friendly ? I am afraid for some search bots to not be stopped by Limited Guest Viewing

Please read the main post and install file which explain how this addon works in relation to spiders.