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]

Originally Posted by GeorgeB85

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

The phrase manager.

[vexvegaz]

Originally Posted by vexvegaz

hey ted great mod and thanks for sharing.

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

hey ted not sure if you missed it but is this a setting i missed or is Limited Guest Viewing just doesn't support this option?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by vexvegaz

hey ted not sure if you missed it but is this a setting i missed or is Limited Guest Viewing just doesn't support this option?

I haven't looked at this yet.

[rajubd]

please add guest can view thread first post only option

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by rajubd

please add guest can view thread first post only option

That's a different modification.

[imprezion]

Great stuff!

I installed the plugin, logout, and tried a few times, it is working..
When I was going to customize which messages show up and what they say, I went to my vBulletin Options, scroll near the end of the list, but I cannot find/select "Limited Guest Viewing System"

anyone know why?

[Ted S]

That's strange, are you sure you uploaded all of the files besides just the plugin?

[imprezion]

Originally Posted by Ted S

That's strange, are you sure you uploaded all of the files besides just the plugin?

yes i did..
both the cron and xml folders

[Ted S]

It may be a bit higher on the list. Try clicking the first option and press the "l" key until you find it

[imprezion]

Originally Posted by Ted S

It may be a bit higher on the list. Try clicking the first option and press the "l" key until you find it

nope, still can't locate it..

should I uninstall and install it again?