Plugin doesnt restrict access

[Gregg Zban]

I just installed this plugin on http://chiropractormarketingideas.com/ and trying to protect the "videos" category through the back end customization and it isn't restricting access.

I entered the category id and I also tried the single post ids and nothing restricts access. I am sure it is just something little I forgot but I am at a stand still so I would appreciate any help.

thanks ,
gregg

[bjprc]

I am also new at this and I have the same problem. I created a category, identified the ID number, did the settings and the posting with that category is still for all to see. I tried also to use a tag and also restrict it, no result. Went through all settings and can't find the reason. On the other hand I tried the php script to block part of the posting (Advance Conditionals) and that works, though a bit disappointing: there is no warning to the visitor that he needs to login to see the remaining part. In the very old version that worked so well (still using on another site). The new site where I am doing the tests is www.beijing1980.com. The bucket seat post should NOT be visible but is....

[Jason Caldwell]

Hey guys. Thanks for reporting this.

It's difficult to say why this is happening on your
installation, but here are some things that I would take a look at:

1. Did you configure a Membership Options Page for s2Member?

2. Are you logged out whenever you're testing?

3. Are you absolutely sure it's a category that you're trying to protect? Some themes manipulate your content in various ways, and sometimes, what appears to be a category view, is actually just a custom query where your theme is pulling details out of your database and displaying them in a very custom way.

4. Does your WordPress theme have any reference to this function [ query_posts() ] ?
If so, please read this article, as it talks about the required use of "wp_reset_query()".
http://www.webtechwise.com/wp-reset-que ... ess-hacks/

5. Have you run your tests with just the default WordPress theme? If so, does that work?

6. Are you running any plugins that make custom queries? If so, disable them until you find the culprit.

[bjprc]

I am currently away and can't test everything where I am. I think I followed very well the instructions for "category protection", including the installation of the plugin to know the ID number.
I am suspicious about this "Membership Options Page". I did do something (you can go to my site and check out those pages) but I might have missed something. The guide does not really provide a good instruction, even after reading several times. Basically that page in my case only tells the visitors they should register, using the standard WP feature. Once they did and I approve them, I elevate them to bronze member. I did the test myself to register, then change the level etc. But this is something "missing", the definition of "bronze" never pops up in the WP parts, there is no warning that visitors must register to see the restricted section etc. As for now I have no plan to use payment, the site remains free for approved subscribers, so fairly simple.
I am getting disappointed with this plugin, too complicated and does not work. I am preparing other sites where I also need this, I would even pay for the feature IF IT WORKED without needing some genius.
On my other site I am still using the old primo plugin (not supported anymore), so easy to use. We did not upgrade to the Ioncube version because that thing never ever worked, even with the help of specialists...
And yes, I checked being logged out, all cache cleared, firefox restarted etc.

[Jason Caldwell]

Hi there. Thanks for reporting back on this topic.

I'm sorry to hear that. If you'd like us to have a look for you, please feel free to send in a Dashboard login. I'll be happy to have a look for you. You can use the contact form here for security: http://www.s2member.com/contact/

Also, just as an FYI. The s2Member Pro Module, no longer requires ionCube or Zend Optimizer. Starting with s2Member Pro v1.2, the following was notated in the Changelog:

- Source code. ionCube® and/or the Zend® Optimizer are NO longer required to run s2Member Pro. In order to maximize compatibility, and your flexibility to tinker with Hooks/Plugins, the s2Member Pro Module is now released with its full source code. This was not the case in previous versions of s2Member Pro. However, starting with s2Member Pro v1.2 ( and moving forward ), your purchase of s2Member Pro includes the full source code, free lifetime upgrades via s2Member.com ( i.e. new features, bug fixes, updates, improvements ); along with full access to our video tutorial library.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=568&p=2320&hilit=ioncube#p2320

[bjprc]

First of all about ionCube. I am using (and very happy, great but simple) the very old plugin Memberwing Version 3.75 By Gleb Esman on my existing blog (http://blog.strategy4china.com/). Later "updated" versions required ionCube (real disaster), version 4.XXX.

Before going for the dashboard solution (makes me a bit uncomfortable), could you first have a look at the site and the pages I made? www.beijing1980.com. Maybe you already detect what I did wrong.

thanks a lot in advance
gilbert

[garubi]

Hei, just visited your site and the plugin seems to do its works: I'm always redirected to the Membership page.

BE SURE TO LOG_OUT BEFORE TESTING IF THE RESTRICTIONS WORKS!

[bjprc]

Hi, there is something wrong... the plugin does NOT work on www.beijing1980.com. I am 100% logged out etc. etc. To be sure we tested on other PC and other MAC that never went to the site before. If you can see the pic with the motorbike, it does not work. Also, no any trace of the need to login to see the hidden text somewhere further down.
On the other hand blog.strategy4china.com works fine but with the very old version.

[Jason Caldwell]

Thanks for the great questions.

If you protect a Post ID, it ONLY protects the Permalink for that Post. In other words, an Excerpt for that Post could still be displayed in an archive view ( i.e. search results, category listings, author lists, date listings, etc ). If you would like to prevent an archive view from being listed, you will need to protect an entire Category ID, or an entire Tag.

For example, if you want to block access to Post ID# 123, and that Post resides in Category ID# 442, you can either protect the Permalink ONLY, by entering 123 into s2Member -> General Options -> Post Level Access. OR, you could skip that, and instead, protect the entire Category, by entering 442 into Category Level Access.

You may also want to upgrade to s2Member v3.2.3+. In the latest release of s2Member, there is a new feature in the General Options panel, that's called "Alternative View Protection", whereby search results, XML feeds, and other archive views ( i.e. home page, categories, custom queries ) can be protected with s2Member in more advanced ways.

[bjprc]

Hi Jason
OK, I upgraded to the latest version, did another try and http://www.beijing1980.com still does not work. If you go there you can still see the bucket seat pic.
I am really close to giving up and the best I could do is to use the antique s2m plugin that works fine on the other blog. I went through everything again and there is for sure something very wrong. This is clear in the registration form for users, the list of users with their data and the definition of the different user levels. Whatever the reason I think the guide fails to help down the line. It is not normal I manage all other plugins and this one remains a mystery.
Let me know how to proceed, if you want to have access to the dashboard.
I really need to get this site (plus another one) off and running. Thanks.

[drbyte]

Add <!--more--> before the image

[bjprc]

Hi drbyte. Don't know what you want to say. Down in the blog there is a hidden image using the other approach. You can't see it but also there is no waring you can't see it... (contrary to the "antique" s2m plugin I use on another blog). The problem is simple - the basic feautures of s2m don't work despite all kinds of settings... I used categories, tags, etc. None works.

[Mike Parsons]

drbyte means to say " in your EDIT POST, please insert the 'more shortcode' just after the words "here it is!" in your post."

The More Shortcode looks like this

Code: Select all

<!--more-->

This will set the "Page Break" in WP which is designed for longer posts. Your readers will see "READ MORE..." or something, and when they click, they will be taken to page ID=51, which I just tested and the page itself is protected.

To protect an image, you'll not only have to put the

Code: Select all

<!--more-->

tag before your image in the post, but also protect http://www.beijing1980.com/wp-content/uploads to keep people from seeing the image at http://www.beijing1980.com/wp-content/u ... etseat.jpg

In other words:

Code: Select all

"Lorem Ipsum blah blah post
<!--more-->
more post text
Protected image"

This should work. Good luck

[drbyte]

You are trying to hide the image on your front page? Edit your post "Bucket seat" post and add <!--more--> tage before the image and save..refresh your front page and see if it's still there.

Another thing you might want to look at:

Disable Plugin (s) "collapsing pages" & "NextGen - Gallery" and try again

Sam

[bjprc]

Thanks to all but it does not solve the problem. See http://www.beijing1980.com/?p=37, the image is protected but if you click read the rest of the story, no warning that you need to login or anything like that, you can try. But you can see the image is protected, that does work. The Bucket Seat is supposed to be completely hidden. I used all kinds of ways to block access, by tags, by category, in the post/edit section (requires at least level 1 or something). But, the post is still there. On my existing http://blog.strategy4china.com I am actually using MemberWing old version (and not s2m, sorry, another provider). I am now trying out Memberwing-X, but not convinced as I need to buy the expensive license (more than 10 users!). See a trial on http://www.damulu.com. (there are some issues there too however!). I wonder where one can get a detailed guide of s2Member, a step by step guide. Or any real help to sort this mess out, I am sure something is really wrong in my setup. I even don't mind paying for a license but like it is, I have no confidence.

[bjprc]

More: the bucket seat post has the category bronzesub, which has ID 4. In the settings, category access restrictions, "Categories That Require Level #1 Or Higher: 4". On top of that I restricted Tags: Tags That Require Level #1 Or Higher: bronzesub. But still, it's there. In the Edit post I also selected "Require Level #1 Or Higher". So what's wrong? Membership Level #1 Label: defined as "bronze". But when going to the "users" section, there is no mention of "bronze", only Membership Level #1. Weird. Terminology not right.

[wringle]

I need to restrict access to a handful of directories during evening hours, but still allow users access to other directories. Restricting login hours with GPO seems to be an all or nothing proposal and will not work for what we are doing. Is there another possible solution?

[bjprc]

Thanks for all who gave me feedback. I must admit that as an average user / webmaster I have difficulties to understand the very much technical jargon. There is much room for improvement in making this software more user friendly. While giving up, I tried (unconvinced) the "Alternative View Protection". To my surprise - it worked. The "bucket seat" entry is now indeed invisible. I now have to try to understand how to insert the right codes to alert non-registered visitors to login and/or register. Again I admit that all seems a bit complicated. But as for now I will invest my time in this plugin rather than others.