A User would Pay To post a topic.

[Webs007]

Hi,

I think a great addition to VB would be for a user to have to pay to post a topic/thread - within a forum call "Classifieds" or similar...

Please see my post on vbulletin.com for further information.

What do you think?

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174392

Features of this could be the following:
User & Admin Gets an email receipt/confirmation
Admin Can set how long a post should last for
Admin Can give give usergroups the ability to post without charge in forum.
Also perhaps - Admin can allow certain members to post for free.
Users can buy a bundle of posts i.e say 5, 10, 20 posts

Webs007

[Sinistra]

Thats what the paid subscriptions is for

[Webs007]

Your totally wrong,

The user would pay to post 1 thread! - so it acts like a classifieds forum.

The administartor could set how much to charge and how long the thread to run for.

It is basically a classifieds section (pay per post). So you pay a one off fee - for a one off post - and if you want extra posts - you have to pay again etc etc.

For a certain forum only - a user clicks new thread - they are then taken to a page - with details on how much they will be charged etc - they click accept - they would be then taken to the paypal site - once paid - they would be returned to the forum and into the create post section where they can input what they wanted to sell. It would work really well.

For myself and others - this could work well - and provide a really nice way to sell classified adertising on your vbulletin forum. This definately has potential.

Think of all the community forums run off the back of websites such as cars, crafts..anything - who have always wanted classifieds but didn't want the hassle of scripts etc - Having this implemented will give them the ability to do this with ease with no extra coding required, Also - I think highlighting this as a key feature would draw more people to purchase VBulletin as this option is highly desirable to webmasters looking for extra revenue and want to look beyond PPC schemes such as Adsense etc.

I'm sure the VB team could easily do it - it's just taking the subscriptions element and tweaking it to give a pay-per-post option.

Webs007

[CrazyShooter]

They run that at Sitepoint. You have to pay $9.99 to create a contest in the Martketing forums

[Webs007]

I just checked it out - so they do - must be a custom hack they made.

Any chance someone could make a plugin that does the same?

Webs007

[inspiration100]

I second this, needs to be done somehow. Thanks webs for posting this.

[Jaynesh]

I remember seeing a hack where you users can pay to make there thread a sticky.

You could try that out.
Use the searc function :)

[Vizionz]

iff you were gonna do something like this.. i would also add the ability to charge for banners or buttons. and it should be a main area of the forum.. like forumhome.. a little sub table that shows the banners or the latest classifieds or whatever you choose to use this for.. because if your gonna charge for somethng the user who is paying deserves somethinhg of worth. Who would wqant to pay for a post ? when you could easily just add what your trying to sell in your signature. and then blam get the sales by pm or at your ebay site your linking to in your signature...

so ya got to make it of interest. and a forum home block that would show the top 5 to ten classifieds or a random classified/banner.
so then everyone on the site will see there item instead of it being in a classified forum and getting maybe 5% of the forum views

[Webs007]

I remember seeing a hack where you users can pay to make there thread a sticky.

You could try that out.
Use the searc function :)

I have searched the forums - but there is only the ability to make a sticky (without paying) - people have asked for the payment function so a user would have to pay to make it sticky - but no one i'm sure has made it- if you could show me where you found this - I think it would be very beneficial.

Webs

[v12kid]

I will 3rd the motion for this hack. I actually need this badly for my forum!

any takers?

matt

[amykhar]

As a coder, I generally don't give away code that people want to use to make money with. I'm not saying I would take this project on at all - because I'm not going to - but if you all want this so badly, you should consider posting it as a paid service request.

You generally have to spend money to make money ;)

[Webs007]

So in order to make money - we need money (which I don't have as yet) - It's a vicious circle....

I'm sure you would enjoy the challenge, as it's something no one as yet to deliver on these forums and you could be the first!

Maybe someone will answer our call to help?

Thanks for the advice Amykhar.

Webs

[inspiration100]

lets get this post viewed! Any coder willing to do this?

[himerus]

I like the idea too...

I just got the command to make this happen on a new board I'm converting, so I may be able to come up with something....

But I'd like it to somehow be an extension of the current subscriptions built into VB...

Let me do some pondering, and I'll see what I can come up with

[3z3k3l]

That feature would be an incredible addition to this one!

Extra Threadfields
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=108888

[Gio~Logist]

You can do this easily via Paid Subscriptions. Create a new usergroup that CAN post a thread in the forum you want, make it so that others cannot. Then add a Paid Subscription where they can just by the ability to have their usergroup changed or have an additional usergroup that's the one you just created.

That should work flawlessly.

[defi]

You can do this easily via Paid Subscriptions. Create a new usergroup that CAN post a thread in the forum you want, make it so that others cannot. Then add a Paid Subscription where they can just by the ability to have their usergroup changed or have an additional usergroup that's the one you just created.

That should work flawlessly.
They're requesting this be $x amount per one thread (one time charge for one time thread; paying again to post a new thread).

[Gio~Logist]

They're requesting this be $x amount per one thread (one time charge for one time thread; paying again to post a new thread).

So make the subscription only last a day or a couple of minutes :p

[Hostboard]

<a href="https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=108051" target="_blank">https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=108051</a>

[himerus]

That feature would be an incredible addition to this one!

Extra Threadfields
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=108888

I looked over that hack, and it was funny, because of the examples and screenshots for it, it looked like it was already set up for payments... since all the fields were related to that...

I may take a look at it, but it's going to take some major modifications to make something actually integrated either with an external payment script, or to integrate with the vbulletin subscriptions somehow...

It's still on my project board, so if I get a version I like working, I'll post it over here.

[Webs007]

So make the subscription only last a day or a couple of minutes :p

That isn't Pay per Post is it? - I appreciate the fact your trying to facilitate the subscriptions method that is already in existence but it's not what most of us here are looking for.

We don't want the post to be available for a few minutes...what if they time out? - and People can post for a day - well that person could post a heck of alot of posts within a day... I have already been approached with these methods many times on the forum - which is why everyone here needs the ability to have a user "Pay per Thread" Plugin.

Also regarding this post from Hotboard
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=108051

This link is so the owner of the board can pay users when they make a post - like an incentive program. Quite the opposite. I have posted messages on this forum to the author - and he says aslong as the request is high enough - he will hopefully build what we are looking for into the plugin! GREAT!

Webs

[Bleys]

I would be very interested in this hack as well. It would be exceptionally handy at a forum I run.

Also, I am a moderator at SitePoint, and that is a custom hack that they use... I very much doubt they'd ever release it, too. So best bet is if someone here can make a clone. :)

[glorify]

You can do this easily via Paid Subscriptions. Create a new usergroup that CAN post a thread in the forum you want, make it so that others cannot. Then add a Paid Subscription where they can just by the ability to have their usergroup changed or have an additional usergroup that's the one you just created.

That should work flawlessly.

That would work if you could limit the number of posts or threads that usergroup could start. Really that's all it would boil down to.

A paid subscription that allows a usergroup to post (where you specify) x amount of posts, x amount of threads, or for x amount of time.

*edit*
Found a hack (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=96848) that limits posts and threads :)
Combine that with usergroups, promotions, and paid subscriptions and yer done ;)

[Bleys]

But unless you can remove them from the usergroup after they create the thread, doesn't that get messy if they want to buy another thread later?

[ffevo]

Im looking for this hack too. Has anyone done anything like that?

[mastersite]

im willing to add some money for somone to develop this modification.:)

I think if we've round up some donations we should be able to get this modification in a developing stage ;)

[Sam Granger]

That would work if you could limit the number of posts or threads that usergroup could start. Really that's all it would boil down to.

A paid subscription that allows a usergroup to post (where you specify) x amount of posts, x amount of threads, or for x amount of time.

*edit*
Found a hack (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=96848) that limits posts and threads :)
Combine that with usergroups, promotions, and paid subscriptions and yer done ;)
If you do that, people won't be able to buy 2 or more threads ;)

I'd be willing to pay a mod maker to make this if I get full rights over the code and i'll give everyone thats requested it so far in this thread a free copy. PM me a quote.

[Oblivion Knight]

I'd be willing to pay a mod maker to make this if I get full rights over the code and i'll give everyone thats requested it so far in this thread a free copy. PM me a quote.Just to note, you'd probably have to pay a HUGE amount to the coder for them to even consider giving you full rights to the code in order to sell it on to others.. ;)

[mastersite]

who said anything about making this modification a paid option?

[Sam Granger]

Just to note, you'd probably have to pay a HUGE amount to the coder for them to even consider giving you full rights to the code in order to sell it on to others.. ;)
I'm aware of this. :P

[mastersite]

i placed an ad on scriptlance just out of curiosity.

and one guy is willing to do it for $200.

thoughts anyone?

[3z3k3l]

Go for it, it tough working with overseas coders, I find that 75% don't deliever on time and the other 25% don't deliver what you expected.
I have used, CMScoder.com, Rentacoder.com, Getafreelancer.com, phpfreelancer.com etc..

The one thing I would make sure of is that they have Positive Feedback, DO NOT USE someone without feedback. I have wasted litterally over a year trying to get coding done when people come on and promise cheap rates, but not feedback, they start off great, but then they seem to just dissappear.

SO now I pay more if they have good feedback, because I know they want to keep it. They are normally more expensive but its worth it in the long run.

[TheMusicMan]

As a coder, I generally don't give away code that people want to use to make money with. I'm not saying I would take this project on at all - because I'm not going to - but if you all want this so badly, you should consider posting it as a paid service request.

You generally have to spend money to make money ;)I agree with you Amy, good point, but this then raises another important question.

I would be more than happy to pay a coder good money for this (yourself very much included as I have seen your work - so if you're interested please do get in touch) to be developed for me - the resulting code of which I would then consider mine - as I paid for it to be developed. I would then be happy to recoup some of my investment by selling this for a small proce as a product/plug-in. I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are on this?

[Torqued]

I'd love to see this, too.. I have employment recruiters that are wanting to post their job search listings on my site for $. This would be the perfect tool for this kind of situation.

[Desihunk]

Hehe,

If you are willing to share...Please do :)

[mastersite]

the guy i found on scriptlance has a resonable feedback.

Total Reviews: 4
Average Rating: 7.7 out of 10

https://www.scriptlance.com/cgi-bin/freelancers/feedback.cgi?p=mrfox

But im not sure if its worth taking the risk.

There are lots of talented coders here at vbulletin.org, if someone could get in touch with one and tell them we are willing to pay im sure they would consider it.

Also i think if we can get at least 20 people to donate at least $10 i think we should be able to get this project on the way pretty quickly.

[TheMusicMan]

To be totally honest here guys and girls... I would certainly be willing to put up the investment to get this coded - on the basis that I would regain my investment by selling the plugin at a low price - at say $10/15 which would be low enough to suit most peoples budgets. I supopse the risk here is that we then see vB implementing this functionality in the product by default. I don't mind funding development for the masses, but there's no way I am funding vB for their own product development... :) hehe.

If there are any coders here who are interested in this, please do drop me a PM.

[mastersite]

to be honest musicman i totally disagree with what you are trying to do.

Loads of vBulletin Mod Coders have put loads of time and effort to make a sucessfull mod and majority of the time don't ask for nothing in return.

You say that by developing a mod like what we are asking for, then we are helping the vBulletin team implent it into thier software? Does that apply to the thousands of mods, extensions, plugins that are out already?

I think we can all benifit if put all put in a bit of money to get this developed.

[3z3k3l]

"TheMusicMan" I completely agree with you.

If you are going to put up the money, I don't see how anyone can complain when you "sell" it back to recoup your investment, I think it is assanine to think otherwise.

Also I am considering the same thing but I don't want to front the cash if someone else is going to do it first.

The only way I would release it free if I hardcoded the paypal addresses to me. ;)

Let us know if you decided to make this happen.

Also:
mastersite, Did you hire that coder? What is the progress? I don't see the job up there anymore.

Let us know how if you did hire him and how it goes!

[TheMusicMan]

OK, I see my comments have prompted a reaction... that's good as it shows there are good people reading this thread and who are interested in the topic.

@Mastersite: you make some good points, but I feel you are also missing some too. I am not a coder or developer and so the only time I would be putting into this would be the promotion and marketing of any eventual software. I could and would however, be putting possibly a lot of money into this. If the functionality I funded ended up as a vBulletin product I would most certainloy see that as funding vBulletin/Jellsoft. I don't for one minute think Jellsoft would give me anything back in return for this and so why should I do it for nothing. However, in the main this isn't the point, what is the point is the fact that I would be making a small investment and funding the development of this project, and that alone is enough to justify making a small charge for any subsequent product.

I also agree with you when you suggest that if you all put a little money into this project everyone would help. OK, so how would that work then...? where would you send this 'little amount of money'...? who would sent it...? who would you send it to...? the developer??? nonsense... You are somewhat contradicting yourself here by saying this as it is exactly the same as I would be asking for if I were to fund it. ;)

Besides, I could go to another 'Coder / Developer Recruitement' sites, or even find several through my profession and daily work. I have the user requirements already, and could then write a functional / design specification, get a quote from one of the design teams and contract with them to implement the solution. I would then have a product that I had funded, ready for promotion and marketing without having used anything or anyone from here. That's business my friend, simple as. My money... my funding... my risk... :)

@3z3k3l: I am still more than happy to fund such a project if there is a coder out there able and willing to develop it - if there is all they need do is just get in touch.

This also adds to another thread I have posted in either on here or vB.com that discusses Jellsoft releasing a product development schedule for vB. It would most certainly help the development community if they were to do this, and would also allow investors and backers to assess the business risk in significantly more detail - before investing in and funding such development projects.

[Magle]

TheMusicMan, if you do get this coded (and it turns out to be a well-featured and non-buggy hack), sign me up for one copy, please - I'd pay up to 15$ for such a mod :)

I imagine it could have the following basic features:

The main feature would of course be the ability to set up a selceted forum so that users have to pay to start a new thread. This should be group based so that admins and mods (or other selected groups) could be exempt from paying.

An additional feature could be the option of users having to pay to reply to their own posts and/or threads (bumping the thread). That could be set at a lower price than starting a new thread.

You could of course turn off the ability to reply to your own thread or posts, but it would be nice to have it on sometimes. However, if people didn't have to pay for replying to themselfs, they could just pay for one thread and them bump it indefinately or until stopped by a mod/admin.

Finally it would be nice if the hack was mainly product/plugin based if possible.

What do you think?

[Bleys]

I don't see any problem in selling software you pay to have made... why would anyone expect you to give away for free what you paid to have made? That's just silly.

I'd pay $15 (that would be getting off cheap) for this mod.

Even better, a mod that had a "credits" type system so that users could buy credits and then spend them to post in different forums (that way you could have multiple classifieds-type sections, some costing more than others--i.e., listing big ticket items might cost more than smaller ones--and not have to lock people into specific forums).

[joeychgo]

I believe Noppid is working on this hack for someone already. You might want to contact him here: Noppid (http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/member.php?u=3)

[himerus]

Has anyone started working on this for sure?

I'm a php coder, www.himerus.com, and have tons of vb exp...

I posted earlier, needing something like this for a site I was working on, but haven't had time to develop it yet... or really even layout a functionality structure on how it would all be put together....

I'm ready to tackle it for personal reasons, and once finished, I would probably imagine releasing both a free (LITE) version, and a paid version that had tons more features for advanced and large forums...

I am also working currently on a vbulletin hacks site, and vbulletin content generation, etc.

I need this feature on several boards I have built, and that I have managed/helped upgrade....

But without reading through the entire post again yet, I'd be interested in starting it this weekend if things turned out right....

I'm experienced enough to compile a vB extension similar to vbadvanced, or the geek products with respects to code functionality, and ease of setup/use....

it will definitely be a fair project to get completed, and bug free, but I'm looking for some unique hacks to expand the new site on, and again my own purposes make this a must have as well....

I will read back through this, but would like some direct feedback in 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. etc... form stating features/options that are CRITICAL, WANTED, or OPTIONAL...

I'd be happy to take any suggestions from the community before firming up my ideas on getting started...

[Bleys]

Even better, a mod that had a "credits" type system

I just realized I forgot to mention another reason why a "credits" system would be even better: you could charge lower amounts.

With PayPal/merchant account fees it's not feasible to charge, say, $1 per thread. But with a credits system you could sell them in lots of 5 or 10, for example. (I.e., $5 = 5 credits, and 1 thread = 1 credit... so $5 = 5 threads).

[b34ch3r]

I just realized I forgot to mention another reason why a "credits" system would be even better: you could charge lower amounts.

With PayPal/merchant account fees it's not feasible to charge, say, $1 per thread. But with a credits system you could sell them in lots of 5 or 10, for example. (I.e., $5 = 5 credits, and 1 thread = 1 credit... so $5 = 5 threads).

Nice idea. It would also mean that the end user would most likely buy more credits than they actually needed for one forum listing:)

[3z3k3l]

Well any word on dev? How did that coder work out mastersite? I don't see any feedback for him? I guess you guys are still working on it?

[b34ch3r]

I've PM'ed the guy who said he was doing it, because if he isn't going to do it I would see that something like this is developed

[Bleys]

b34ch3r from SitePoint, right? ;)

Anyway, yeah, I'd really like for something like this to be developed, and would definitely be willing to pay for the end result. :) (Provided it, you know, worked properly ;)).

[b34ch3r]

Who is this "b34ch3r" you speak of? :p

Yup (so I guess you have seen the little ad then?)

I'm still waiting for a message back from himerus - I want to get moving on something like this as there's obviosuly the demand.

[shadowdancer36]

Still no word concerning this hack huh? Weird.

[TheMusicMan]

Still no word concerning this hack huh? Weird.Should there be...? from whom...? and why is this weird...?

[mastersite]

lol a lot of people i see are waiting for this mod :P

[b34ch3r]

Should there be...? from whom...? and why is this weird...?

Well, yeah - himerus said he was going to do it, I PM'ed him asking him if he was doing it as I'd like to see this mod getting done but as of yet no response back. It's not weird, but there's obvious demand for a script like this and people want to implement it as soon as they can.

[wtrk]

yeah this is a great idea.

[inspiration100]

Love the idea, hope you make it public!

[jwparker]

I need this code. I'll start the bidding at $500. If interested, send me your bid along with a resume of your past coding experience. I'll have the bidding end on May 12.

jwparker1@verizon.net

Thanks,
Jed

[TheMusicMan]

It is done. I am in the final stages of getting it packaged up and launched on one of my sites. It looks as though I will be offering this with some support from a developer who coded it from my specification - for $20 a shot...

Hang fire... we're nearly there.

[paul41598]

Great, I was looking for this hack too! Glad someone stepped up to the plate. I'll be waiting... :D

[Webs007]

WOW! Great to see this Idea Taking off!

Looking forward to seeing a finished end product.

Webs

[TheMusicMan]

I have been a tad busy in work during the last few weeks and haven't managed to fully work out the details with the developer - we're getting there though. I will be asking anyone interested in purchasing this to register their interest on my business site (none of those in my current sig) when it's all set up.

I'll probably make an announcement about this on the weekend.

[Bleys]

I'll register my interst here. ;) (and wherever--I'm definitely interested, though)

[marglar]

It is done. I am in the final stages of getting it packaged up and launched on one of my sites. It looks as though I will be offering this with some support from a developer who coded it from my specification - for $20 a shot...

Hang fire... we're nearly there.

I wanna know when this is ready! I'd drop $20 on it!

[snyx]

I would like this mod. I would also be able to pay the developer some extra money to add some extra features. If not then I am still interested in the final product.

I want to charge my users by the day for their threads. It will cost 2.50 to create a thread and a dollar a day after that. They need to be able to set a start date and an end date for their thread. Once the time is up, the thread will be closed. They will need to pay for the entire length of the thread on submission. Also a pay-by-mail option which would post the thread in moderation until payment was approved.

/m

It is done. I am in the final stages of getting it packaged up and launched on one of my sites. It looks as though I will be offering this with some support from a developer who coded it from my specification - for $20 a shot...

Hang fire... we're nearly there.

[ImportPassion]

i have been wanting somehting similar to this, but more like google answers (http://answers.google.com/answers/).

I asked a few devs and was willing to pay, but no one ever was really interested.

[bchertov]

Hey this is just what I was looking for! I think Webs007 nailed it!

Hey, MusicMan, How about posting your spec here so we can comment on it and see what you are cooking up?

I'd be happy to contribute some bucks to the effort. If its really a robust system, and includes things showing the purchaser their account - how many credits they bought, itemize each post that used a credit, credits remaining, ability to grant people credits,etc.. I'd be happy to kick in $100 or more (though $20 would be better of course) with no rights to resell! I want to make it worth somebody's time to develop a good system and support and enhance it over time. This is business folks!

Before I saw that MusicMan was going to take this on to do it himself, I was going to suggest that we form a consortium to design/spec and get this coded with a buy-in of $100+ from each member, and aggreeing which member would get the rights to re-sell and they would kick in double or triple and they would be the leader of the design/spec group. Consortium members would get free upgrades/support...

So what's the status MusicMan? This is an important one!

Barry

[marglar]

I'm interested in using something like this for a form of tech support. So the ability to pay-per-thread (not just per post) is crucial. If you are looking for contributions to the effort, please don't hesitate to ask! This mod would help me a lot!

[ramone_johnny]

Any updates on this mod? I too would like to implement this feature.

RJ

[bchertov]

Any updates on this mod? I too would like to implement this feature.

RJMe too! I just sent MusicMan and email asking for the mod's status. If its not happening or he doesn't respond is anybody else interstested in cooperating to get the hack done as I suggested earlier:


Before I saw that MusicMan was going to take this on to do it himself, I was going to suggest that we form a consortium to design/spec and get this coded with a buy-in of $100+ from each member, and aggreeing which member would get the rights to re-sell and they would kick in double or triple and they would be the leader of the design/spec group. Consortium members would get free upgrades/support...

Depending on the number of people willing to contribute, it could be $250 or $500 a person, but it would still be cheaper in my book. Group specing would be a challenge. I think we would need to keep it very tightly focused and allow addtional features to be added on later.

[Bleys]

bchertov -- I'd be interested in that. :)

Could use something like www.fundable.org to gather the funds. :)

[bchertov]

It looks like MusicMan is going to come through! See this thread (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174392)! If its a good hack, I hope you'll join me in giving him a donation for his efforts!

[Bleys]

Ah, I just logged in to check on this and found that. Excellent!

[ramone_johnny]

Id be willing to throw $100 towards this.

RJ

[3z3k3l]

Looks like someone beat him to the punch and Free non-the-less!

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=116605

[bchertov]

MusicMan,

Are you still working on this? I'll wait for your verion if you let me know its still coming!

Barry

[ansuk]

Im desperate for this also. Its apparently available on IPB as a forum i use uses it but i would rather use VB. I can add $50 to the bin for this to work on the latest version.

[paul41598]

does this:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=116605

not work on 3.6? Have you tried?

[ansuk]

does this:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=116605

not work on 3.6? Have you tried?

Thanks for replying Paul. I havent tried it no, simply because i dont want to bugger things up as ive only just got everything running :alien:

I did post in that thread also as id be happy to pay for an upgrade but i dont want to risk isntalling it and having to start all over again, especially when its not supported :confused:

[killianr]

Any chance of getting this ressurected? The free mod has not been updated for ages!

Maybe everyone interested can club together, and pay to have this developed.

I would be happy to facillitate!

Richelo

[bchertov]

Any chance of getting this ressurected? The free mod has not been updated for ages!

Maybe everyone interested can club together, and pay to have this developed.

I would be happy to facillitate!

Richelo
I'd chip in!

[bchertov]

I'd chip in!
In fact I'd chip in a good chunk, say like upto $2,000!

If we got 3 or 4 of us together to split it I think we could do it.

There is a hack some place that does this, but its not complete enough in my book. We could start with that (with permission) and make it more robust (user reporting, statements, credits, etc.)

[FullyTested]

So what is the project budget for this?
What is in the MUST have list and what is in the WISH list?

The way I see it is either you have it work on a credit system where the user buys credit points and then cashes them in to post, or the user creates his/her post and then is redirected to PayPal and once paid for the post goes into the moderation queue.

[bchertov]

So what is the project budget for this?
What is in the MUST have list and what is in the WISH list?

The way I see it is either you have it work on a credit system where the user buys credit points and then cashes them in to post, or the user creates his/her post and then is redirected to PayPal and once paid for the post goes into the moderation queue.

I think it should be a credit system, so users need only pay once, and we can give them a discount for buying in bulk. There would also need to be user reports that shows their account and which posts used a credit. Probably refunds too, etc.

I just realized that pay-per-post is not the top of the list for me, but I am still interested.

I'm more interested in a business directory.

[FullyTested]

business directory
Not sure what you mean by that.

For paid posts, are they only on a certain category or anywhere on the site?

As for refunds, as far as I know there is no easy way to write code to issue a PayPal refund without first installing their SDK which is not really worth it.

[Demon fox]

can someone get a up an entire feature list and how it should run and post it up or pm me it. I think I could get someone to do this.

[bchertov]

Not sure what you mean by that.

For paid posts, are they only on a certain category or anywhere on the site?

As for refunds, as far as I know there is no easy way to write code to issue a PayPal refund without first installing their SDK which is not really worth it.

Business Directory: An area of the site, organized in a Yellow Pages fashion (by offering), where people could post about their business. The posts would be presented in a structured way (logo, business name, location, description, etc.)

See examples at:
http://www.edirectory.com/
http://www.byregion.net/mainsearch/search/BayAreaHealers/practitioners/Acupuncturists
http://www.eclectichealth.net/prac_query.php?meta=Muscular%20/%20Skeletal%20Therapies&category=Therapeutic%20Massage&


This would be the area I would use the Pay-to-Post feature (So I AM interested in going in on this if we come up with a design that works for my application).

Users should be able to access a report of their account showing what credits they purchased, what posts they were used for, and any balance.

I would want to be able to "sell" different kinds of credits for posting different kinds of ads or different places at different prices.

The way I see it working is that we'd use the VB Paid Subscription interface. When VB receives the the Paypal notification of a purchase a record would be added to the user's payperpost account with the date, type and amount of credits purchased.

A PayPal refund notification (triggered by an action on the Paypal site, not the vb site) would add a negative purchase record. (Some thought would be needed to deal with the cases of if the credit had already been used for a post or not).

API calls should be available to:
- add credits of a given type (called by the payment gateway or manual interface "Add paid subscription")
- return the current balance of credits by type
- deduct one credit of a given type for posting a specified thread
- return email body of an account statement

There is an existing hack, I think by Calorie, that addressed this need, but as I remember, it was not supported and did not include statements or other essential features.

One option would be to find that hack and build upon it.

My application would use these credits for a certain about time for each post (ie running the post in the Business Directory for 6 months) and could also be used for renewing it. I imagine this level of support would be custom to my system, but it would be great is someone out there also had this need so we could share that code too!

Does this sound like an approach you'd be interested in? Any other ideas?

I could see making this hack available to the larger vb community (supported or un-supported) either as a paid/premium hack or possibly even free (perhaps partially crippled).

How serious (as in time and bucks) are you guys about developing something like this. I am very interested, particularly if I can go in on it with 1-3 other like minded webmasters and a seasoned vB coder. I can see getting started in earnest (developing a spec and locating a coder) in the next month or two.

Barry