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

[yahwehpassim]

Is this hack good for the 4.0 series of vbulletin? If not when will it be? Is someone working on it? This is a great hack. I lost a lot of hacks during my upgrade to the publishing suite and this was one of the most important ones. Thanks for all your work.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by yahwehpassim

Is this hack good for the 4.0 series of vbulletin? If not when will it be? Is someone working on it? This is a great hack. I lost a lot of hacks during my upgrade to the publishing suite and this was one of the most important ones. Thanks for all your work.

The 4.0 version is good for 4.0.

[TitanJeff]

Originally Posted by okhissabigfish

Idea:

When the message appears the backgound fades and the notice is on top. Then the visitor has to clear the message to bring the site back up or can bring it back up by hitting the Register Now link in the body of the message.

Anyone ever figure out a way to make this happen? I'd just be happy to have it open the message in a window over the forum that the viewer either has to close or register. Thanks.

[SpyCam]

With database loging on, non registerred users can't open threads, they can see the listing, but can't open threads as they are getting a database error:

Database error:
The database has encountered a problem.

I also get such DB error emails:

Database error in vBulletin 3.8.6:

Invalid SQL:

							INSERT INTO lgv SET 
							ipaddress =  '79.142.126.22',
							firstaccess  = 1291283798,
							views = views + 1,
							lastactivity = 1291283798;

MySQL Error   : Duplicate entry '65535' for key 1
Error Number  : 1062
Request Date  : Thursday, December 2nd 2010 @ 10:56:38 AM
Error Date    : Thursday, December 2nd 2010 @ 10:56:38 AM
Script        : http://www...com/.../...html
Referrer      : http://www...com/.../
IP Address    : 79.142.126.22
Username      : Unregisterred
Classname     : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

Please tell me how to fix that.
Thanks

[nlwin]

How do I change header bar "Notices" to some thing else?

[blackberry]

i want to set it for Users Awaiting Email Confirmation

where i should make changes?

[J517E7B2F4A5]

Hey sorry if i disturb i see there's 2 zip file for the 3.7 wich one is the right one ?

Than you sorry for disturb:erm:

[SCRIPT3R]

Possible to apply this to another usergroup?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by SCRIPT3R

Possible to apply this to another usergroup?

With minor code hacking, yes

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by blackberry

i want to set it for Users Awaiting Email Confirmation

where i should make changes?

To the php code in the XML file. If you are not familiar with basic code hacking you should only try this on a development server.