Administrative and Maintenance Tools - Miserable Users

As of 24 Nov 2017 this modification has been withdrawn.

The ever popular "miserable users" hack for vb 3.8.

Basically a way to really annoy anyone you don't want visiting your forum. This version is based on the vb 3.7 version. Credit to Zzed for the original idea.

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:

v3.8.001 - Initial vB 3.8 release.

[Biker_GA]

If the user is somewhat savvy, you can't really blame it on the PC. However, you can shrug your shoulders and point out that nobody else has complained about connection issues. **snicker**

[Dollarsign]

^ lol that's true. However I have been receiving some MYSQL Database issues after I installed this, looks like the user is having some trouble accessing the forums

Is this normal?

Database error in vBulletin 3.8.2:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT text, languageid, special
FROM phrase AS phrase
LEFT JOIN phrasetype USING (fieldname)
WHERE phrase.fieldname = 'error'
AND varname = 'toobusy' AND languageid IN (-1, 0, 1);

MySQL Error : MySQL server has gone away
Error Number : 2006
Request Date : Wednesday, May 20th 2009 @ 01:26:01 PM
Error Date : Wednesday, May 20th 2009 @ 01:27:01 PM
Script :
Referrer :
IP Address :
Username :
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

There are about 7 database errors all from the same user:

[Biker_GA]

I wouldn't worry about it.

[Dollarsign]

Okay thanks I tried it out on myself and yes, it really does live up to its Miserable name. I was laughing my ass off

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by Dollarsign

^ lol that's true. However I have been receiving some MYSQL Database issues after I installed this, looks like the user is having some trouble accessing the forums

Is this normal?
There are about 7 database errors all from the same user:

I would guess you have a very small mysql timeout (smaller than your max MU delay setting) so sometimes the users connection is timing out.

[W!cKeD]

* Thanks & Installed * :up:

I've many miserable User but this Add-On is perfect for these

[Frank Sinatra]

thanksss evil works perfect

[mdawg]

Why is the IP address
169.254.1.1
included in the default "Miserable IP addresses" section?

Also, why re-direct to index.php if my home page is index.html ?

Final question: is there a way to set up User Infractions so that Mods can simply move someone to the MU status, similar to laying an Instant Ban on a member? I was able to make it so that, say, at 50 points the person's permissions are made those of the MU category, but this does not kick in the MU delays and so on.
Maybe all that has to be done is modify a template so that under Add an Automatic Ban there is an option to move user to usergroup MU?

[Paul M]

1. Its an example ip address, one that no one can have in reality - why ?

2. Change it then, thats the point of an option.

3. You would need to use the Automatic Ban Infraction - to make the usergroup visible in the dropdown list it must be a "bannable group" (usergroup option). I believe (untested) that once youve added it, you can remove the usergroups bannable status.

[ubcforums]

This is Cool !! I Annoyed A member who was spamming lol...