Miserable Users

This modification is no longer available or supported.

Here is a 3.5 version of the ever popular "miserable users" hack. Basically a way to really annoy anyone you don't want visiting your forum. Based on the original idea & hack for vb2 by Zzed, and the vb3 port by KuraFire.

When classed as miserable, a member suffers ;

1. Slow response (time delay) on every page (20 to 60 seconds default).
2. A chance they will get the "server busy" message (50% by default).
3. A chance that no search facilities will be available (75% by default).
4. A chance they will get redirected to another preset page (25% & homepage by default).
5. A chance they will simply get a blank page (25% by default).
6. Post flood limit increased by a defined factor (10 times by default).
7. If they get past all this okay, then they will be served up their proper page.

Note: All the above options are set in the vBulletin Options.

To install this hack simply download the xml file to your pc and then import it into vbulletin as a product - then create your 'miserable users' usergroup and set the value of this group, and your preferred other settings, in the hacks settings area (vBulletin Oprions > Miserable Users). To make a member suffer just edit their profile to add them to the miserable users group (it will work as either the primary group or as a secondary group).



History:

v2.01 - Released as a product - all settings are in the vB options.
v2.02 - Added option for multiple usergroups to be defined as miserable.
v2.03 - Added option for IP addresses to be defined as miserable.
v2.04 - Updated multiple usergroups code.
v2.05 : Minor changes, no update necessary.

[SideDraft260]

I am at a loss. I've installed, uninstalled, reinstalled, and re-read the instructions more times than I can count. It seems to have no effect whatsoever on my test account. What could I have possibly done wrong?

To install this hack simply download the xml file to your pc and then import it into vbulletin as a product

Done. Uninstalled, then done again. Twice.

then create your 'miserable users' usergroup and set the value of this group

Created the group, didn't work, deleted the group, created a new one, updated the GroupID number in vBOptions>Miserable Users. I'm on my 3rd usergroup now...no change.

and your preferred other settings, in the hacks settings area (vBulletin Oprions > Miserable Users).

Done, repeatedly.

To make a member suffer just edit their profile to add them to the miserable users group (it will work as either the primary group or as a secondary group).

I've tried using the primary, secondary, and the 'banned' groups, but nothing seems to work. I can jump around with my 'test' account as if it were any other member.

suggestions?


Edit: If I change a users primary usergroup to my Miserable Users group, then it changes the amount of stored messages allowed (from 50 to 10). However, there is no other effect...no random server timeouts, no slow down, nothing.

Setting the primary user group to "Registered User" and setting the secondary group to the Miserable Users group has no effect whatsoever, leaving stored messages allowed at 50. "Registered User" group settings DO allow for secondary usergroups.

Edit #2: Also, Plugin System is Active, and this plugin is set to Active with the hook in global_start

Hope this helps someone give me a clue....

[Paul M]

Possibly you have a broken hack using the same hook as this, preventing it running. Try disabling all other users of global_start and see what happens.

[SideDraft260]

Originally Posted by Paul M

Possibly you have a broken hack using the same hook as this, preventing it running. Try disabling all other users of global_start and see what happens.

That did the trick!!! Works BEAUTIFULLY!! Great Hack, and thanks for the quick help! :banana:

[TheBlackPoet]

good job.....

[Coast to Coast]

installed for the ATS community

[analog-x]

I'm reporting back to let you know that the hack worked. The offending member is gone, as a matter of fact I got a hate mail saying how crapy and slow my board was and to delete their account.

hehehehe I love it!!!

I'm surprised there are others having a problem installing. I've got v3.5.x and Have other hacks as well and things went smooth.

[jndeakin]

A question, more about groups than this hack I suppose...
I've installed the hack, set up a Miserable Users group, and set the group in the options>Miserable-User config. I can add the group as a secondary on their user details. I don't want them to catch on by suddenly not having access to somewhere they could see before, or vice-versa. If I set the new group to have no access to anything will that override their main group's access and tip them off? or if I give it access to everything will it let them do things I don't want them to do (albeit sloooowly!!! lol ). The default settings for the new group gave some access rights and denied others, so there's no clue which is safest!.

If there's no way of doing this without effecting access rights, would it be possible to have a version where we can just add userid's rather than groupid's?

Fun hack though

Jim deakin

[Paul M]

Most people just create the group based on Group 2 (registered users). There has never been any permission problems reported doing this.

[jndeakin]

That's a little awkward, as we have a 'senior members' area which people who've been registered longer than 6 months, and have made more than 500 posts can read. New members/plain registered-users don't see it.
Looks like it needs multiple groups...

Thanks for the quick answer anyway

Jim Deakin

[Paul M]

How would basing it on the plain registered group affect your senoir members ? It would work just fine for both.