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

[Alan_SP]

Just to mention what I observed with TapaTalk installed: It doesn't affect only TapaTalk users, it affects all users.

I'm not saying that this is the reason why your users can bypass restrictions you created, but just mention that when I used some versions of TapaTalk, I made double posts and I don't use TapaTalk at all.

[Stratis]

A little help if it can be done?

This is on top of the thread,
"You are restricted from posting in this thread."

When member clicks to read the thread, he goes to the last post, down the thread.
Actually he does not see buttons to answer but he does not realize why he cannot. (until he goes to the top, if he goes)

Is there a way how I can show this announcement in two places? up & down the thread.
or down instead up.

Thank you.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by Stratis

A little help if it can be done?

This is on top of the thread,
"You are restricted from posting in this thread."

When member clicks to read the thread, he goes to the last post, down the thread.
Actually he does not see buttons to answer but he does not realize why he cannot. (until he goes to the top, if he goes)

Is there a way how I can show this announcement in two places? up & down the thread.
or down instead up.

Thank you.

I will see what I can do about that tonight.

[Stratis]

When you have some spare time (I know you don't)
Just tell me how I can make it or what to change - insert, don't bother anything else.

Thank you.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by Stratis

When you have some spare time (I know you don't)
Just tell me how I can make it or what to change - insert, don't bother anything else.

Thank you.

Well, what I would do is look in the "SHOWTHREAD" template for a good template hook location to display the message. The existing message uses:

PHP Code:

$template_hook['showthread_above_posts'] 


Now, when I look at the template, I find also:

{vb:raw template_hook.showthread_below_posts}

And so that's where I will first try displaying the message as well.

But, that's much lower on the page than I would like...the closest I can get with the default template hooks is here:



I have drawn an arrow indicating where I think it would be better place. So, I will have to write a plugin that puts a custom template hook where I need it to be (so we can avoid any pesky manual template edits).

[MarkFL]

Update - Version 1.9.5:

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

[Stratis]

Thank you for the update, very nice. Message is in the places as supposed to be.

[jagtpf]

A worthy change ! Thanks guys .

To try and 'solve' my multi-posters I've checked Forum & Children individually and Grouped, rather Forum and checking Admin>Child setting. May be working more reliably???

[MarkFL]

Update - Version 1.9.6:

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

[Stratis]

Any hope to have an option, restrict and by threads ?