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

[TriMe]

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

Some reason it's not letting me write the table through the phpmyadmin either. I get a error:

#1142 - CREATE command denied to user

But I have all admin access rights.

Any suggestions?

[Ted S]

You need database create rights for your vbulletin database user. Admin rights are not relevant here.

[welovehiphop]

great add on

[EricPSF]

Hi,

I have being using this mod for sometime until yesterday that I'm unable to view any attachments even though I'm logged in.

The error message said that I'm do not have the permission to view the file and asked me to refresh page and logged in again?!

Any advise? I have disable this mod and everything goes smooth again.

Thank you.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by EricPSF

Hi,

I have being using this mod for sometime until yesterday that I'm unable to view any attachments even though I'm logged in.

The error message said that I'm do not have the permission to view the file and asked me to refresh page and logged in again?!

Any advise? I have disable this mod and everything goes smooth again.

Thank you.

This mod does not look at the attachments system. Are you encountering an error when you login and view attachments or while logged out?

[James Argo]

Thank you Ted, I've installed this mod for long time, and I'm happy with it

I have to report some issue, in my experience, updating the product to recent version has erased the translation of both lgv phrases. I tested it twice, in my local testing server and my live site as well. As soon as I upgrade, the translation phrases were blank, I need to re-write it.

I run vBulletin 3.7.3, updating the mod from version 1.5.2 (as listed in product manager) to the latest 3.7.0.

Does anyone have same issue?

Other than that, everything works great! Thank you!

[EricPSF]

Originally Posted by Ted S

This mod does not look at the attachments system. Are you encountering an error when you login and view attachments or while logged out?

Hi Ted,

I hv clicked on the attachments when I'm logged in. I can't see the thumbnails too, just the lettering.jpg, for example. When I clicked on the filename, it brings me to the page asking me to key in my username and password. When I tried to key in all my particulars, logged in and click on the attachments again, it still doesn't work.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by James Argo

Thank you Ted, I've installed this mod for long time, and I'm happy with it

I have to report some issue, in my experience, updating the product to recent version has erased the translation of both lgv phrases. I tested it twice, in my local testing server and my live site as well. As soon as I upgrade, the translation phrases were blank, I need to re-write it.

I run vBulletin 3.7.3, updating the mod from version 1.5.2 (as listed in product manager) to the latest 3.7.0.

Does anyone have same issue?

Other than that, everything works great! Thank you!

If you override a phrase it will be rewritten... Theres no way to restore a phrase once it's been reset so you would have to retranslate. I'm not sure why this is happening on an upgrade as the phrases haven't been changed but I'll be sure to look into it.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by EricPSF

Hi Ted,

I hv clicked on the attachments when I'm logged in. I can't see the thumbnails too, just the lettering.jpg, for example. When I clicked on the filename, it brings me to the page asking me to key in my username and password. When I tried to key in all my particulars, logged in and click on the attachments again, it still doesn't work.

And when you disable this addon and only this addon and follow the same steps what happens?

[SPARKS MAN]

thanks i translate only the message appear to the guest
to Arabic
thank u very much