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

vB4 Users Find the vB4 Version Here.

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, with database setting used)

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 (adds a read-and insert/update query).

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.

[ninja1]

its work on 3.8.1 ?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by ninja1

its work on 3.8.1 ?

This mod is for version 3.8.x

[Fynnon]

I would need this also for LOGGED IN users that DID NOT post any messages !

[Simon Lloyd]

Hi Ted, i'm using 3.8.x and have installed this mod i have the Enable Register Take-Over Message set to yes and the Enable Register Block Page set to yes for the first the default value of 5 is in place, however viewing as a guest (on 2 different machines) and exceeding 5 views did not invoke the take over message (i do use vb's notices), however, viewing 10 more for the register block did bring up the message for that section....any ideas?

[Simon Lloyd]

Ted my apologies!, i guess i am guilty of NOT reading your comprehensive instructions where it explains to add this $lgvmessage at the end of the navbar template for each upperlevel style.

[NLP-er]

Installed

But have some issue. Block Page works, but Take-Over Message doesn't. It is enabled, count 5, but I'm visiting, and visiting and no message comes. Till I reach block count and then blocking message is displayed.

Any clue why Take-Over Message doesn't work?

SORRY - Just saw in install instructions about template editing There was no question

[tr03bor]

Originally Posted by NLP-er

Installed

But have some issue. Block Page works, but Take-Over Message doesn't. It is enabled, count 5, but I'm visiting, and visiting and no message comes. Till I reach block count and then blocking message is displayed.

Any clue why Take-Over Message doesn't work?

Edit the template called 'navbar'.

Copy '$lgvmessage' (without the ') and add it to the very end of the template and save the template

[BigDog56]

I.m getting a database error when I click the database log in after I get to the amount of posts I designated gets reached.

[kent_lkc]

been looking for this MOD for some while, good job mate.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by BigDog56

I.m getting a database error when I click the database log in after I get to the amount of posts I designated gets reached.

Telling me the error would be a great help...