Add-On Releases - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

Version 2.0 of this addon which allows for IP tracking using a mySQL database has been released. This is an optional feature which is disabled by default.


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)

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.




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.

Updates
- 12/10/2008 - Bug update to fix issue #2-01
-10/30/2008 - Release of version 2.0 beta
-05/04/2008 - Release of 3.7.0 version

[abrecher]

I think a good option to add to this mod is to have a link at the bottom of the annoyance message that allows them to skip signing up for another X posts read. We should be able to set that # and we could have a max # they can view until they're totally locked out.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by abrecher

I think a good option to add to this mod is to have a link at the bottom of the annoyance message that allows them to skip signing up for another X posts read. We should be able to set that # and we could have a max # they can view until they're totally locked out.

Thank you for your suggestion!

[Traxdata]

Originally Posted by Ted S

This is written for guests and isn't about posting but registering. I'd suggest looking at welcome headers if you want to get more posting.

let me say, for selected usergroups? possible or not?
thank you!

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Traxdata

let me say, for selected usergroups? possible or not?
thank you!

Possible, sure. Take modification though.

[Konstantinos]

how can we make that this mod instead of the showthread to work for header or headinclude so that user has limited viewing to ALL forum pages like profiles etc

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Konstantinos

how can we make that this mod instead of the showthread to work for header or headinclude so that user has limited viewing to ALL forum pages like profiles etc

You would have to modify the addon to look at all pages and conditions... basically take the logging function and rewrite where it's called.

[djwins]

It would be cool if there was an option to "Include forum ids" in the admin page, rather than just exclude...

For those with many forums, it would be kind of annoying to enter in a whole bunch of numbers if they only want to use this on 1 or 2 forums.

Thanks for the cool mod!

[desmomax]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Either way is fine.

Why? Not sure... if it's installed, on and the cookie is set it will show up. Send me a URL...

www.ilbraccoitaliano.net

ted,
i notice that a user can read anyway all threads.. it's enought click Archive and then your hack doesnt works and the user can read everything..

thanx

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by desmomax

www.ilbraccoitaliano.net

ted,
i notice that a user can read anyway all threads.. it's enought click Archive and then your hack doesnt works and the user can read everything..

thanx

The archive is not covered by this hack nor is it meant to be.

[desmomax]

Ok.. i understand.. but so a guest is free to see all the threads..