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

[flup]

Perfect hack

[titodj]

Is there a way to control for how long the cookie is set?
For example, after 24 hrs guest can view the threads again...

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by titodj

Is there a way to control for how long the cookie is set?
For example, after 24 hrs guest can view the threads again...

There is not a way to control the cookie timing at this point.

[titodj]

Thanks for your answer....
Another question, then... As it is right now, how long does the cookie lasts?

[otix_]

nice Mod, thx!

[tony adams]

installed on 3.8 and agree with the comment above

Well... the only thing that dosen?t works is the Register Take-Over Message Count, but the Register Block Page Count It?s OK

anybody got round this - it is something i would want - the warning is needed i think before locking anybody out

[Adeawan]

thanks for that

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by tony adams

installed on 3.8 and agree with the comment above



anybody got round this - it is something i would want - the warning is needed i think before locking anybody out

Have you added the appropriate variable to show the message?

[tony adams]

hi - yes everything is set correctly i believe - first message should be called at 5 and then lockout message at 10 - i made different messages just to be sure i was not doing something stupid

i never see the first message and can post 10 posts - i am then locked out

all settings are set to yes apart from database setting

its a board i am setting up - i got another admin to check as a guest and he reported the same - he only saw the lock out message

EDIT

hang on - i may be lying - i had entered the variable but have done a fair bit of over writing and it may have got deleted - i will report back

EDIT 2 - my apologies - i had deleted the line that was needed - i had never tested it when i first installed it so had never seen the message

it works fine - thanks again

[Ted S]

Perfect.