Add-On Releases - Throttle Posts/Threads (restrict number of posts/threads by usergroup/forum by time)

Users can be restricted to a set number of posts and/or new threads per a defined time period. The settings can be global for all forums by usergroup and/or specific to certain usergroups by forum.

FAQ:

1. I don't understand!!! Why would I use this? Say, for example, you wanted to have a sub-forum where registered users could only post 2 messages a day but a premium group could post unlimited messages. This mod will let you configure that! Here's another example. You want registered users to be able to only create 1 thread per 6 hours in a sub-forum but they can have an unlimited number of replies in that sub-forum. This product will let you do that!
2. Do I have to configure every usergroup and forum combination?
   Nope! By default, all usergroups (that normally can post or create threads) can create and unlimited amount of threads and posts. You have the option to create settings by usergroup that apply to all sub-forums for that usergroup. Plus, you can fine tune the settings on a usergroup/sub-forum basis.
3. I have a lot of forums and usergroups. How will I keep up with all my custom throttle settings? In the admincp, there is a feature that gives a summary of all settings by usergroup and forum. You can filter based on usergroup or forum and change the sort order.
4. What does the "-1" mean in the settings? "-1" indicates unlimited. So, a usergroup with a -1 setting for the time period means there is no time restriction.
5. Is this fully phrases? YES! 100% fully phrased including all admincp text!

Product will work with any version of vb 3.5.x and up (including 3.7.x).


Installation

1. Upload the contents of 'upload' to your forum directory
2. From the admincp, import the product file product-throttle_posts.xml
3. REFRESH your admincp page.
4. Change the usergroup setting for any usergroup you want to restrict.
5. OPTIONAL - To set per forum/usergroup settings, set "Activate per Forum/Usergroup Checking" (under Throttle Posts/Threads -> General Settings) to "Yes"
6. OPTIONAL - Set any forum/usergroup settings under Throttle Posts/Threads -> Per Forum/Usergroup Settings.
7. Done!

Special note: a new thread does NOT count as a post (for the purpose of this mod) but a new thread does count as a post!

Enjoy!

[fotografik]

Looks very promising and is something that I have been looking for. Before I download and install, I do have a couple of questions

a) If the thread/post limit is set to 10 threads per week, can a member delete off his old thread/posts (to reduce his count) and then post some more?

b) Does this mod override the forum permissions already set? Eg. Usergroup A cannot post at all, while Usergroup B has full access - and I want to continue blocking Usergroup A from posting (using already set permissions), and Usergroup B to create only X threads/posts per time limit (using this mod).

c) Also, I do not understand your last statement about "a new thread does NOT count as a post (for the purpose of this mod) but a new thread does count as a post!"

[CyberRanger]

Originally Posted by fotografik

a) If the thread/post limit is set to 10 threads per week, can a member delete off his old thread/posts (to reduce his count) and then post some more?

Currently, soft (the record is still in the database) deleted posts and threads are not counted. However, it would be a two second change to the plugins if you wanted them to count.

Originally Posted by fotografik

b) Does this mod override the forum permissions already set? Eg. Usergroup A cannot post at all, while Usergroup B has full access - and I want to continue blocking Usergroup A from posting (using already set permissions), and Usergroup B to create only X threads/posts per time limit (using this mod).

vb forum permissions are NOT overridden. The vb permissions are checked first, then the special throttle settings, so your example would work.

Originally Posted by fotografik

c) Also, I do not understand your last statement about "a new thread does NOT count as a post (for the purpose of this mod) but a new thread does count as a post!"

When a user creates a new thread, a new database record is added by vbulletin to the thread and the post tables.

For my mod, when the number of threads allowed to be created is checked against what the user has started, obviously only the thread table is checked. What may not be quite as obvious is that when a user attempts to create a new post, any new thread he has created will also count as a new post.

So, for example, if you have a usergroup that is set to only be able to create one post and one thread per day, creating the one thread will also use up the one post that can be created since creating a thread also creates a new post record.

Clear as mud?

[fotografik]

Originally Posted by CyberRanger

Currently, soft (the record is still in the database) deleted posts and threads are not counted. However, it would be a two second change to the plugins if you wanted them to count.

Thanks for the clarification, and I have a follow-on question to your response above.

Does your statement mean that currently, the mod does not count soft-deleted posts/threads towards the user post/thread limit?

Example - Limit is set to 10 threads in a 24-hr period; I post 10 threads in the first hour; delete 5 in the next hour and post another 5; then delete all 10 in the 3rd hour and post another 10 - thus "bypassing" the limit?

[CyberRanger]

Originally Posted by fotografik

Thanks for the clarification, and I have a follow-on question to your response above.

Does your statement mean that currently, the mod does not count soft-deleted posts/threads towards the user post/thread limit?

Example - Limit is set to 10 threads in a 24-hr period; I post 10 threads in the first hour; delete 5 in the next hour and post another 5; then delete all 10 in the 3rd hour and post another 10 - thus "bypassing" the limit?

Correct, that is the current setting. Changing it to count soft deletes would be very simple.

[nickster]

Hmmm.... I get this Database Error when importing the product

Database error in vBulletin 3.6.7:
Invalid SQL:
CREATE TABLE `keybase_tp_throttleposts` (
		`tp_id` INT( 10 ) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY ,
		`tp_forumid` INT( 10 ) UNSIGNED NOT NULL ,
		`tp_usergroupid` INT( 10 ) UNSIGNED NOT NULL ,
		`tp_postlimit` INT( 5 ) NOT NULL DEFAULT '-1',
		`tp_threadlimit` INT( 5 ) NOT NULL DEFAULT '-1',
		`tp_posttime` INT( 10 ) NOT NULL DEFAULT '-1',
		`tp_threadtime` INT( 10 ) NOT NULL DEFAULT '-1',
		INDEX ( `tp_forumid` , `tp_usergroupid` )
		) ENGINE = MYISAM ;;

Any help please?

[CyberRanger]

Originally Posted by nickster

Hmmm.... I get this Database Error when importing the product

Can you see if you get the same error using the attached product file?

[nickster]

Originally Posted by CyberRanger

Can you see if you get the same error using the attached product file?

WORKS! Thanks a million CyberRanger!

You should post this on mod page!

[theFAILURE]

If I set a limit for GUESTS, will this also put a limit on the Spiders that crawl my site all day?

I'd really hate to limit them

[CyberRanger]

Originally Posted by theFAILURE

If I set a limit for GUESTS, will this also put a limit on the Spiders that crawl my site all day?

I'd really hate to limit them

No, it only restricts creating posts or threads, not reading them.

[theFAILURE]

Thanks for that simple explanation, it's my fault that I missed that LOL.