Chapter 3

No "New Threads" for Unregistered Users

Notice the New Thread button. If an unregistered user clicks on this, they are taken to a screen asking them to log in or register. This screen also contains a password reset option, handy for people who have forgotten their passwords. This sends them a new password.

A word about passwords

vBulletin doesn't store passwords as plain text in the database. Instead it uses an algorithm called MD5 to create a one-way hash of the password, and this is stored instead. A one-way hash means that passwords entered can be easily converted into the hash but the plain text password can't be recovered from this hash. The password

password is transformed by the MD5 into 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99, and

this is stored in the database instead.

When a member logs in to the forum, the password they enter is converted to the oneway hash, and this is compared to the hash stored in the database—if the hashes are the same, the member is let in, otherwise they are rejected.

Registering on a vBulletin Board

Let's now take a look at the registration process for new users. We can begin this process by clicking on the register link. Clicking on this link brings up a page outlining the forum rules. There are default rules in place, but you can customize these.

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A Tour of vBulletin

Anyone registering on a vBulletin discussion board has to agree to the rules of the forum by checking the box, before clicking on the Register button. These rules are customizable, but a generic set of rules is pre-installed.

The next step is the registration screen. Here you have to enter basic information such as desired username (give this some thought—many people end up stuck with a silly username because they didn't give it enough thought!), a password (six to eight characters—letters and numbers are best), and an email address.

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