Show Thread Enhancements - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

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 [or membership upgrades] by limiting the number of threads guests [or certain membergroups] 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.

Install Instructions: Read the install file. Customize via admin settings & templates.

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): Anything that changes your forum viewing can impact how search engines treat it. The cookie approach used by this modification is bypassed by many bots and, since people can still view posts, cloaking should not apply. Users with IP logging may face more restrictions although a filtering system lets defined spiders pass. This plugin is intended to limit repetitive viewing and not restrict people from single views.

For a full explanation of the impact on bots read the install file before asking questions.

Usergroup Limitations:
Version 2.1 introduces basic usergroup limiting with the same rules & messages guests get. Based on demand this may be extended to a per-usergroup level restriction and messaging in the future.

Change Log:
- 7.21.2012 - Update to 2.1.0 which adds usergroup limiting, fixes mySQL 5.5 support, removes the need for template editing, cleans up install guide. Upgrading is optional.

Mod Philosophy -- Drive Your Own Success:
All of my mods are inspired by my work in the digital industry and are designed to drive registrations, interaction or other engagement activities the core platform does not address. Each is designed to fit a general need by providing a starting point but it's on you to decide how to make things work to their best possible outcome. Don't stay in the box.

[asus78]

do we install both xml files? it doesnt say in the install guide?

[newmomsforum]

Thanks for the great mod, it'll be interesting to see how this effects my registration stats and ongoing contributions.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by asus78

Can this mod limit the views of album pictures?

nope

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by asus78

do we install both xml files? it doesnt say in the install guide?

There's only one XML file outside of the upload files.

[Budget101]

After setting this mod it returns a blank page once a guest has reached his/her limit.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Budget101

After setting this mod it returns a blank page once a guest has reached his/her limit.

With which option?

[Welshy2008]

Is this working on vBs 4.0.5 and 4.0.6 please?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Welshy2008

Is this working on vBs 4.0.5 and 4.0.6 please?

Yup

[jgblumoff]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Mark have you installed the template variable from the instructions?

What does this mean? Sorry - I've installed the xml, but what else should be installed (and where do I install it?).

And from the instructions below-- where is my "includes/cron folder"?

Step 2) Upload the attached cron file (optional)

Upload the attached file lgvdb.php to your includes/cron folder. This file is used to clear out old records for users with database enabling turned on.

Thanks. J

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by jgblumoff

What does this mean? Sorry - I've installed the xml, but what else should be installed (and where do I install it?).

And from the instructions below-- where is my "includes/cron folder"?

Step 2) Upload the attached cron file (optional)

Upload the attached file lgvdb.php to your includes/cron folder. This file is used to clear out old records for users with database enabling turned on.

Thanks. J

There is a variable to add to your templates, it's explained in the install guide.