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 eglyntine

I have a parenting site and most of my members do not like the fact that anyone can just "lurk" on the site and read about their issues and they don't know who they are. And while *I* know it's the internet and if you are going to post personal stuff on an internet site you might as well take an ad out in the AP but these ppl think that if they have restrictions and private forums then they are safe.

I run into the dilemma do I shut the whole board down to unregistered ppl or do I tell my members to suck up and deal with it? This add-on gives me the opportunity to compromise. I can set it up where certain General forums can be viewed by guests and the other forums with more personal details are kept away from non-registered ppl.

I also have it set up to where after the viewing of one thread it tells the person they need to register to view more and once they have registered we have a welcoming committee that leaves Welcome messages on their visitor page to help break the ice and then we encourage the new members to post an intro in our Introductions forum.

So far since I've put in this add-on and created the Welcoming Committee, 9 out of every 10 ppl that register have become active members. Before the addon there was no reason to register because they could read without having to interact and when I shut it down to unregistered user, they wouldn't come by cause there was nothing to encourage them to want to be a part of the site. It's a good balance you need to find to get ppl to participate and I'm still working on it daily but it is slowly working for me.

Great Add-on Ted, and when used like it's designed to be used it really is very helpful. Thanks again for your work.

Awesome feedback! Thanks so much for sharing that with the addon community and I hope you come back to provide feedback on how this addon can be improved for you in the future.

[Megatr0n]

Hi Ted,

I've tested this hack and it doesn't seem to be working for me.

After I get prompted to register I delete my cookies and when I refresh it allows me to view the thread I originally clicked to view.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

Hi Ted,

I've tested this hack and it doesn't seem to be working for me.

After I get prompted to register I delete my cookies and when I refresh it allows me to view the thread I originally clicked to view.

Have you enabled ip logging?

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Have you enabled ip logging?

Oops.

Edit: After enabling it. It gives me a db error when users try to open a thread. It just says Database error. Doesn't specify exactly what the error is.

[Ted S]

Please view the source of the page to find the error so I can diagnose your issue.

[shervin_dvb]

<font color="Sienna">Hi All Dear Coder

In Need To Hide text in the post for Guests

Guests can only see 30-50 character in the post
thanx for help me</font>

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Please view the source of the page to find the error so I can diagnose your issue.

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.4:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT id,views
FROM vb_lgv AS lgv
WHERE lgv.ipaddress = '81.97.205.196';

MySQL Error : Table 'smiggy_gupshupp.vb_lgv' doesn't exist
Error Number : 1146
Request Date : Tuesday, December 9th 2008 @ 09:49:08 AM
Error Date : Tuesday, December 9th 2008 @ 09:49:08 AM
Script : http://www.gupshupp.com/forums/showt...ost&amp;t=8589
Referrer : http://www.gupshupp.com/forums/
IP Address : 81.97.205.196
Username : Unregistered
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by shervin_dvb

Hi All Dear Coder

In Need To Hide text in the post for Guests

Guests can only see 30-50 character in the post
thanx for help me

Sorry but that is not what this addon does.... you will need to find or develop a different hack to accomplish that.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.4:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT id,views
FROM vb_lgv AS lgv
WHERE lgv.ipaddress = '81.97.205.196';

MySQL Error : Table 'smiggy_gupshupp.vb_lgv' doesn't exist
Error Number : 1146
Request Date : Tuesday, December 9th 2008 @ 09:49:08 AM
Error Date : Tuesday, December 9th 2008 @ 09:49:08 AM
Script : http://www.gupshupp.com/forums/showt...ost&amp;t=8589
Referrer : http://www.gupshupp.com/forums/
IP Address : 81.97.205.196
Username : Unregistered
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

The installer was unable to create a table for storing records. Please create one manually via phpmyadmin, mysql shell or similar.

CREATE TABLE vb.lgv (
        id smallint(5) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
        ipaddress VARCHAR(25) NOT NULL default '0.0.0.0',
       firstaccess INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
       views INT(4) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
       lastactivity INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
        PRIMARY KEY (id),
        KEY indexs (ipaddress,views,lastactivity)
      ) TYPE=MyISAM

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Ted S

The installer was unable to create a table for storing records. Please create one manually via phpmyadmin, mysql shell or similar.

CREATE TABLE vb.lgv (
        id smallint(5) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
        ipaddress VARCHAR(25) NOT NULL default '0.0.0.0',
       firstaccess INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
       views INT(4) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
       lastactivity INT UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
        PRIMARY KEY (id),
        KEY indexs (ipaddress,views,lastactivity)
      ) TYPE=MyISAM

What, if I just simply reimport the product file?