Administrative and Maintenance Tools - Miserable Users.

This modification is no longer available or supported.

The ever popular "miserable users" hack for vb 3.7. Basically a way to really annoy anyone you don't want visiting your forum. This version is based on the vb 3.6 version. Credit to Zzed for the original idea.

When classed as miserable, a member suffers ;

1. Slow response (time delay) on every page (20 to 60 seconds default).
2. A chance they will get the "server busy" message (50% by default).
3. A chance that no search facilities will be available (75% by default).
4. A chance they will get redirected to another preset page (25% & homepage by default).
5. A chance they will simply get a blank page (25% by default).
6. Post flood limit increased by a defined factor (10 times by default).
7. If they get past all this okay, then they will be served up their proper page.

Note: All the above options are set in the vBulletin Options.

To install this hack simply download the xml file to your pc and then import it into vbulletin as a product - then create your 'miserable users' usergroup and set the value of this group, and your preferred other settings, in the hacks settings area (vBulletin Oprions > Miserable Users). To make a member suffer just edit their profile to add them to the miserable users group (it will work as either the primary group or as a secondary group).

Upgrade from 3.6
If you upgraded your forum with the 3.6 version installed then it will continue to work, no need to upgrade - otherwise install this in the normal manner.


History:

v3.7.001 - Initial vB 3.7 version.
v3.7.002 : Installation Code Updated.

[EvilJohn]

How.....

Edit: The blind can see.

[mrahul]

we had this in 3.6.x so are there no changes in the hack for the current release ?

[Paul M]

I dont think so.

[harlita]

title: perfect.

thank you, sir.

marked as installed.

[svtsnake01]

Does this hack cause any httpd load issues? I installed this just two days ago and have been having server issues since.

[Paul M]

No.

[theforumist]

o_O Exelent mod. I install!!!!

[jessej]

absolutely one of the BEST mods ever!! Thanks Paul M.

[Animecraving]

wow this will going to be fun lol... -Devil Laugh-

[harlita]

Installed the hack on 3.7.2 with no problems.
It runs perfectly and several tests using dupe accounts shows that this is not only customizable for optimal performance, but it's freaking hilarious!

*cough*

I mean, it has proven a extraordinarily useful tool in handling those members who know how to push just enough to consistently irritate or manipulate the staff and/or community but haven't done anything that we can specifically BAN them for.

This hack totally allows the moderating staff to continue doing things as they always have done but allows the administrative staff the ability to alleviate the stress and burnout caused after having to fight back and forth with trolls.

And possibly a suggestion to other admins installing this hack.. on both my forums we've kept the existence of this mod hidden from the community - even from our Super Moderators. Only the Admins know of it and have ability to move members into the usergroup so the effectiveness of the mod is superb. The purpose for this is obvious but easily missed at first. If the community doesn't know of the hack, then it's not feasible that a troll would choose to ignore it.
Also- if the rest of your staff (smods, mods, etc) are not aware of the hack, then it's not likely that they'll leak the information out - either by accident or as a warning/threat or by discussing staff process after leaving their staff position.

Sorry for the tl;dr - but this hack impressed me and my admin staff.

Thanks so much for such an excellent - EXCELLENT hack. Not only is it useful and functional, it was obviously created by someone who knows the ~~dark side of the forums~~.