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

vB4 Users Find the vB4 Version Here.

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, with database setting used)

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 (adds a read-and insert/update query).

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.

[BigDog56]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Telling me the error would be a great help...

The Raven's Friends and Friendship Forums! database has encountered a problem.
Please try the following:

* Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
* Open the ravensforums.com home page, then try to open another page.
* Click the Back button to try another link.

The ravensforums.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

[Ted S]

Please view the page source to get the mysql error code

[BigDog56]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Please view the page source to get the mysql error code

This is the error I get. Nothing more comes up. I turn that part off, it works fine.

[daveaite]

great mod. i've been actually searching for this mod and i have finally found it cheers

[cooltechie]

Is there a way to make the take over message stand out more? Maybe the take over message can be set with a different color, thick border, flashing border, etc.?

[Ted S]

You can make it stand out tons more... if you edit the error page.

My suggestion is to work on the phrase that shows up and give that colors, images and flare as you see fit.

[ARKphoenix2k]

Awesome mod thanks, installed.

[cooltechie]

Originally Posted by Ted S

You can make it stand out tons more... if you edit the error page.

My suggestion is to work on the phrase that shows up and give that colors, images and flare as you see fit.

I didn't know you could give it color and such as I thought phrase was only simple text. Thanks!

[Ted S]

Nope, HTML will work just fine in phrases!

[panosher]

Hey Take-Over Message couldnt show ... becouse my cookie name is bbuserlgv and not userlgv show i changed it ...

I hope this help some people outhere !


Waiting for some feedback