Mini Mods - Restrict Posting By Forum

The add-on is in response to a request posted by Stratis in this thread:

Deny more than x posts in a specific forum

Stratis has been instrumental in the testing and development of this add-on. :up:

Overview:

This product allows you to select forums in which posting is restricted to a maximum number of posts, which you decide. Restrictions can be for all new posts including new threads, or new posts excluding new threads, or to posting within the threads of others only or posting new threads only. You may exclude selected usergroups from the restriction. Users who attempt to circumvent the product by manually entering URLs in their browsers will be shown the no permission message. You may decide to only count posts within the last x days to determine whether a user may post or not.

Updates:

Version 1.1:

• Added a setting whereby individual users may be excluded from the posting restriction regardless of usergroup.

Version 1.2:

• Added informative message to users for who posting is restricted.
• All posting links are now hidden by setting appropriate variables used in template conditionals rather than simply hiding them using CSS.

Version 1.3:

• Bug fixed where users were told they have no permission to post.

Version 1.4:

• Exempt userlist trimmed for greater compatibility across platforms.

Version 1.4.1:

• Made $threadinfo global for wider compatibility.

Version 1.5:

• Added setting which allows only posts made within the last x days to be counted for the restriction.

Version 1.6:

• Added setting which allows users to be restricted from posting new threads.
• Added setting which allows a choice of time unit for counting posts/threads.

Version 1.7:

• Post counts calculated immediately prior to posting new threads/replies so that posting from tab with no restriction by opening new tab with posting link is no longer possible.

Version 1.8:

• Added setting to allow control over whether child forums are included in the slected restricted forums.
• Added setting to allow all restricted forums to be treated as a group, or to be treated separately.

Version 1.9:

• Added setting to allow for individually defined post limits for the restricted forums.

Version 1.9.5:

• Restricted posting message on both the "forum display" and "show thread" pages now displayed both above and below threads/posts.

Version 1.9.6:

• Fixed bug where only last individual forum|restriction was recognized on some servers.

Compatibility:

Tested and working on VB 4.2.x and should work on all 4.x versions of vBulletin.

Backup/Warning:

This product does not alter your database, however it is always good practice to make regular backups and you should make a backup before installing ANY new mod.

As always, products are USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I will provide support and do my best to help but no absolute guarantee is offered.

To Install:

1. Download and extract the attached .zip file.
2. Follow AdminCP -> Plugins & Products -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product.
3. Click on "Choose File" and browse to the product .xml file that was packaged in the .zip file.
4. Click "Import."
5. You MUST enable the product in the settings before it will function.
6. Configure the remaining settings to your liking. Each setting has a detailed explanation of its use.

Support for this product can be found here:

• MHB - Restrict Posting By Forum
• TAZ - Restrict Posting By Forum

[MarkFL]

Update version 1.7:

• Post counts calculated immediately prior to posting new threads/replies so that posting from tab with no restriction by opening new tab with posting link is no longer possible.

[Stratis]

Thanks for the updates, makes your work better and double better for us :up:

Something else.
In previous versions you had the phrase:
"You have made the maximum number of posts in this forum and cannot post any further."
After that I see:
"You are restricted from posting in this thread."

I have translated this to my needs and in Greek language. Some users ask my team members
why they are restricted and some of them don't know that they have reached the maximum number of posts.

Perhaps it would be better if they know to how many post they are restricted?
So in the phrase if its possible to include the code {1} or what else to show how many post is the restriction. sorry for my bad English


Thanks for all stuff and help you give us

P.S. If its possible and if others here likes it? when ever make an update again include this...

[Alan_SP]

I take a look at the code and see it wouldn't be very easy to change this mod in restricting posting in certain threads. But, if you found time and will to make it, it would be great if only certain threads can be restricted.

On my site is popular for people to ask questions, but some really ask too many questions. I don't want to block them from writing at all in certain forums, but if certain threads would be only for asking questions, this would control them.

[tanzeelniazi]

can you please add
Posting Limit in Different forums
Threads Limit in different forum
Usergroup Posting limit in different forum
Please add more tabs to select posting limit by usegroup for different forums/Sections

[jagtpf]

Thanks for this Mark.

[jagtpf]

Confusingly 20 odd Forums are under restriction for "Members" -
the limit for New Threads -
within 1440 minutes,
and yet a newbie posted 4 within 28 minutes.

That suggests to me that the restriction is limiting 2 in each of these Forums - not across the whole of the 20+.

[jagtpf]

I had the checks along side each Child Forum as appropriate.

I stripped out the settings and, instead, checked by Forum instead of Child-Forum - but the result is the same.

I guess that's how the mod was designed?

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by jagtpf

Confusingly 20 odd Forums are under restriction for "Members" -
the limit for New Threads -
within 1440 minutes,
and yet a newbie posted 4 within 28 minutes.

That suggests to me that the restriction is limiting 2 in each of these Forums - not across the whole of the 20+.

Yes, if you have several forums restricted, users will be able to post up to the limit in each of the restricted forums. Suppose you have the restriction set to a maximum of 5 posts, then they can post up to 5 times in each restricted forum, not a total of 5 posts over all of the restricted forums.

Would you like a setting that will allow the restriction to be totaled over all restricted forums?

Originally Posted by jagtpf

I had the checks along side each Child Forum as appropriate.

I stripped out the settings and, instead, checked by Forum instead of Child-Forum - but the result is the same.

I guess that's how the mod was designed?

Yes, child forums are included in the restriction by design. I should have made a note of that in the setting description, but didn't.

Would you prefer a setting to let you decide whether child forums are included?

[jagtpf]

Hi Mark - It was hoped that the restriction would affect all Forums as if they were grouped. As you rightly say, 20+ Child-Forums, restricted to 2, would equal 40+ new threads whereas the hope was those 20+ Child-Forums would be restricted enmass to 2 new threads.

Using Forums, rather than Child-Forums; would that be an easier way to go about it? Those 20+ Children are over 3 Forums.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by jagtpf

Hi Mark - It was hoped that the restriction would affect all Forums as if they were grouped. As you rightly say, 20+ Child-Forums, restricted to 2, would equal 40+ new threads whereas the hope was those 20+ Child-Forums would be restricted enmass to 2.

Okay, I will add a setting that lets you decide whether each restricted forum is restricted separately or all restricted forums are restricted as a group.

Originally Posted by jagtpf

Using Forums, rather than Child-Forums; would that be an easier way to go about it? Those 20+ Children are over 3 Forums.

I initially felt that including child forums would make things easier. I will include a setting that allows you to decide whether child forums are included or not, to give you more precise control.

Look for this update to come within a couple of days.