Show Thread Enhancements - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

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 [or membership upgrades] by limiting the number of threads guests [or certain membergroups] 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.

Install Instructions: Read the install file. Customize via admin settings & templates.

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): Anything that changes your forum viewing can impact how search engines treat it. The cookie approach used by this modification is bypassed by many bots and, since people can still view posts, cloaking should not apply. Users with IP logging may face more restrictions although a filtering system lets defined spiders pass. This plugin is intended to limit repetitive viewing and not restrict people from single views.

For a full explanation of the impact on bots read the install file before asking questions.

Usergroup Limitations:
Version 2.1 introduces basic usergroup limiting with the same rules & messages guests get. Based on demand this may be extended to a per-usergroup level restriction and messaging in the future.

Change Log:
- 7.21.2012 - Update to 2.1.0 which adds usergroup limiting, fixes mySQL 5.5 support, removes the need for template editing, cleans up install guide. Upgrading is optional.

Mod Philosophy -- Drive Your Own Success:
All of my mods are inspired by my work in the digital industry and are designed to drive registrations, interaction or other engagement activities the core platform does not address. Each is designed to fit a general need by providing a starting point but it's on you to decide how to make things work to their best possible outcome. Don't stay in the box.

[Ted S]

Yikes! I'm sorry you left debug on, that was something I definitely didn't intend. The point of the debug system is to see what's happening quickly, and then turn off the mod so I can adjust it. Definitely not something you want users to have to put up with.

Debugging should never actually show on the real site. Normally I state that up front so really my appologies for any confusion.

If you chose to try it again let me know, I think I know what the cause of your issue was.

[meissenation]

I'm open to trying things - I like the idea that this add-on offers.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by meissenation

I'm open to trying things - I like the idea that this add-on offers.

Well if you decide to reinstall let me know. I think we can get the issue you had resolved as I'm pretty sure it was just settings causing things not to run right and something I've updated in the attached version.

[twizzler]

It is a good one

[Boots]

I'm not totally convinced this works as designed but I'm going to run it. It doesn't appear to show the first warning for me no matter what I set the settings to. The final registration warning appears after the user views too many threads/posts though.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Boots

I'm not totally convinced this works as designed but I'm going to run it. It doesn't appear to show the first warning for me no matter what I set the settings to. The final registration warning appears after the user views too many threads/posts though.

Well we can ignore all of the sites using it and assume the mod is wrong or we can assume they have it up for a reason and instead figure out what's up on yours... If the block message is showing we know it's at least running.

First thing to check, do you have the template variable added?

[newmomsforum]

Hi Ted, this looks like a great Mod

One question though, could it be tweaked so that it could be used for other member groups and not just for guests?

I have one forums which is restricted to Full members or those willing to pay a subscription and this would be a great way to give members who have already registered a sneak preview before they decide whether or not to pay the $ to subscribe

Thanks in advance

Regards

Mark

[vexvegaz]

hey ted great mod and thanks for sharing.

1 issue, links embedded inside code tags doesn't get parsed.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by newmomsforum

Hi Ted, this looks like a great Mod

One question though, could it be tweaked so that it could be used for other member groups and not just for guests?

I have one forums which is restricted to Full members or those willing to pay a subscription and this would be a great way to give members who have already registered a sneak preview before they decide whether or not to pay the $ to subscribe

Thanks in advance

Regards

Mark

Mark,

You could set it up to work this way but clearing cookies or jumping IPs would let people escape the filter and thus defeat the block.

Ted
Ted

[GeorgeB85]

Where do you go to edit the messages at? I have checked in my admincp and do not see any options.