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

[dethfire]

does this affect SE spiders?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by dethfire

does this affect SE spiders?

Please read the initial post and instructions file.

[setishock]

It doesn't seem to affect my site as far as the search bots go. I have mine set at 5 & 5 and they happly crawl away over the content.

[donnyaz]

Love it,easy install. it would be awesome if we could change the color of the notice. Is that possible ????

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by donnyaz

Love it,easy install. it would be awesome if we could change the color of the notice. Is that possible ????

You can customize the message for the notice by editing the lgv template. The error message uses your default error page template.

[okhissabigfish]

Great Idea and works likes a champ. Is there a fairly easy way to change the background color of the blocked notice? Sort-a means business...but not in a rude way!

Deep/Dark Blue w/White Text ?

Thank you for your work and time!

gs

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by okhissabigfish

Great Idea and works likes a champ. Is there a fairly easy way to change the background color of the blocked notice? Sort-a means business...but not in a rude way!

Deep/Dark Blue w/White Text ?

Thank you for your work and time!

gs

See my previous post.

[okhissabigfish]

Ted,

Thank you for the work you do. I've been reading this forum and learning as I go. I have downloaded several HACKS and they've all worked wonderfully, mostly because you guys do such a great job.

I'm a newbee...as I have noticed a lot of other folks in here are too...when I asked for help with changing the colors of this Mod it was because I don't have nearly the knowledge that you and others have in order to take this to a more customized level.

Tonight I sought out some basic HTML courses and did not find anything that remotely explains how to add color in this..what I'm calling PHP coding or script? I hope I'm saying this right.

Thank you for your patience. What is the exact script, if you know, that would make the notice have a differnt background or text to fully make this stand out and be more visible to my visitors who want to come and get the benifit of the forum without registering.

Here is where I believe one would add a change in order to make the Mod even more customized. I hope I'm on the right path...

<!-- LGV :: Register Take-Over Message -->
<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
<td class="alt1">
<phrase 1="$vboptions[bbtitle]" 2="$vboptions[bburl]">$vbphrase[lgvmess]</phrase>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<br />
<!-- / LGV :: Register Take-Over Message -->

To you and the others who are far more advanced than those just starting out! Thank You!

[TsirhCitna]

Is it just me or does this add a few seconds lag before showthread.php loads when you're not logged in?

[donnyaz]

Ted could you please give a bit more detail on where to find lgv template and what to change ?