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

[EricPSF]

Originally Posted by Ted S

And when you disable this addon and only this addon and follow the same steps what happens?

Hi Ted,

I followed yr steps, it's kind a "on and off" things; the issue sometimes goes away and runs smoothly but when I closed and re-opened browser again, sometimes it happens again. Really confuses me.

It may not be this addon's problem. I will reload vB and see how. Will inform you again, thank you.

[Megatr0n]

Hi Ted,

Happy New Year!

A minor issue. I have enabled IP logging and set it to clear after a day.

However, with me I notice my IP does not clear after 24 hours and I am always prompted to register when I try to view a thread?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

Hi Ted,

Happy New Year!

A minor issue. I have enabled IP logging and set it to clear after a day.

However, with me I notice my IP does not clear after 24 hours and I am always prompted to register when I try to view a thread?

Have you uploaded the cron file and is the scheduled task showing up in your ACP?

[TriMe]

I would like to change the CSS of the block page to alt2 so the links in the block page are in Blue and underlined. Where can that be edited?

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[TriMe]

Originally Posted by Ted S

You need database create rights for your vbulletin database user. Admin rights are not relevant here.

How do I do that?

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Have you uploaded the cron file and is the scheduled task showing up in your ACP?

It is showing and I have uploaded that file.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by TriMe

How do I do that?

Depends on how your server is configured; you may do this through a control panel program, phpmyadmin, or the mysql shell.

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

It is showing and I have uploaded that file.

Still the same problem even when I run cron job manually "Run Now" it just shows this:

Doesn't even say "Done".

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

Still the same problem even when I run cron job manually "Run Now" it just shows this:

Doesn't even say "Done".

It actually wasn't coded to say anything. If you want to debug a bit try the attached version and let me know what it says (ideally you'll get 3 lines of text ending with all done).

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by Ted S

It actually wasn't coded to say anything. If you want to debug a bit try the attached version and let me know what it says (ideally you'll get 3 lines of text ending with all done).

Where do I upload that attachment file?

And, what am I s'pose to do. Try to run it manually again?