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

[robbiefritz]

This seems to be a cool mod.

[donny84]

does this work with 3.8?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by donny84

does this work with 3.8?

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=201563

[LOKIN510051]

si quedo muy bien gracias brother se agardece.


if I am very well thanks brother is agardece.

[Wifey]

I have uninstalled this, yet on my main page I still show both the original board welcome message as well as the one for this. I'm not sure what the problem is. Help?

[Ted S]

This doesn't impact the main page; you may be confusing this with a different addon.

[Wifey]

So this one doesn't add on a guest viewing note box wher eyou have to remove the old one from the forumhome? UGH. I guess it's all the welcome headers one. Sorry.

[Ted S]

This impacts threads.

[mariocaz]

Hi Ted,

I installed a lot time ago your awesome mod, but since this morning I am receiving tons of emails with this vB error about your mod:

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.6:

Invalid SQL:

INSERT INTO vblgv SET
ipaddress = '200.82.199.166',
firstaccess = 1254083938,
views = views + 1,
lastactivity = 1254083938;

MySQL Error : Duplicate entry '65535' for key 1
Error Number : 1062
Request Date : Sunday, September 27th 2009 @ 04:38:58 PM
Error Date : Sunday, September 27th 2009 @ 04:38:58 PM
Script : http://www.all-reefs.com/inicio/showthread.php?t=518
Referrer : http://www.google.co.ve/url?url=http...4JwaDDkru5vE5w
IP Address : 200.82.199.166
Username : No Registrado
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

What I have to do to fix this ??

Please help me !!!!

[Ted S]

Wow... never had someone hit that threshold before.

You've hit the character limit for the ID field. Let's up it by running this new version of the xml file.

Ted