Miscellaneous Hacks - PayPal Easy Donate - vB 3.6

Hack Description

This hack is the easiest way to add the ability to accept PayPal donations for your site.
You simply upload 2 php files, and a couple of images and then import the product XML and thats it!
No messing round with template edits or anything like that, its all done for you!

Also includes a vB CMPS Module so you can use this hack on your vB CMPS pages. - Note: Module has not been updated to add latest currencys.
The vB CMPS is basicly just a straight port of DementedMindz excellent Paypal Module (dropdown) On vBa CMPS modified so that it can be setup from the AdminCP.
Many thanks to DementedMindz for allowing me to mod his module.

Some features of this hack are:

• No need to modify or edit the standard vB files!
• Automaticly adds 'Donate' link on Navbar next to the FAQ link if desired.
• Simple once off setup in the Admin Control Panel.
• You can change all text and headings from the Admin CP.
• All PayPal settings such as preferred currency are set in the Admin CP.
• The Donors forum username is on the emailed receipt from PayPal.
• People do not have to be registered on your site to donate.
• You and toggle the PayPal Verified seal on or off.
• Its a product so no need to redo hacks when you upgrade vB next time.
• Works with default IE settings!
• vB CMPS Modue Available
• Configurable Thank you page for donors
• Default / suggested donation amount if desired
  

Well thats about it for the moment. I may add more features later, if there is a demand for them.

Please note that you have to have either a Business or Premiere PayPal account, else you will need to upgrade to one of these before you can accept donations. Its easy to do, just follow the guide on the PayPal site.

Also note that this is a product, not a plug-in. You must import it using the import product feature in the Admin CP.

I will try and offer support, but work and family commitments mean I dont have much free time.

This is a work in progress and currently a beta version.
This script has been confirmed as working on

• vB 3.7 Beta 3
• vB 3.6.7PL1
• vB 3.6.7
• vB 3.6.6
• vB 3.6.5
• vB 3.6.4
• vB 3.6.3
• vB 3.6.2
• vB 3.6.1
• vB 3.6.0
• vB 3.6.0 RC1
• vB 3.6.0 Beta2
• vB 3.6.0 Beta1

Add Ons
Colonel Ingus has made quite a nice flash addon for this hack.
Full details of this addon are here - http://www.vbhackers.com/f76/audible...144/#post51661
Well worth checking out and seeing if it can enhance your donations page.

Known Bugs
vB Donations Hack - None on a standard vB 3.6.X install. However, if you use custom templates the automatic donate link insertion may not work. If thats the case, you will need to edit the navbar template manually as listed in the 2nd post.
vB CMPS Module - Wont work with Euros for some bizare reason, under investigation.
- Not updated to add new V1.32 currencys yet.

This has been tested in a totally clean install of vB 3.6 and in my live and hacked site as well.

Changelog

Version 1.32.366 (26th May 2007)

• Changed - Uses new template hooks instead of modifying cached templates.
• Will only work with vB 3.66 or newer

Version 1.32 (9th January 2007)

• Added - 9 new Paypal supported currencys.
• Added - Version checking in vB Product Manager.
• Added - Product URL in vB Product Manager.
• Fixed - Heading in AdminCP not displaying correctly.

Version 1.31 (6th August 2006)

• Initial vB 3.6 Release

Upgrade Instructions
The 1.31 release for vB 3.6 is identical to the 1.31 vB 3.5 release.
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=113159
No upgrading is necessary if you were running the 1.31 version on your vB 3.5 board.
Make sure you select overwrite when you import.


Credits
Huge thanks to DementedMindz who made my V1.31 code XML compliant

I have been inspired by Cloudrunners PayPal Donations and Cybernetec's Cyb Paypal. Both have their good points, but neither were quite what I wanted, which is what inspired me to write this.

Thanks also to Paul M and hambil in helping me work out how to insert the donate link without any manual edits.
Also, espically to DementedMindz for his assistance, advice, and use of his vB CMPS module.
Much appreciested guys

And finally, a huge thanks to Boofo who was a great help in making the 1.30 release and supplied the new template, and much help.


Click on Install
If you have this script installed then please click on the install link because;

• You will get notified if any security issues are reported.
• You will get notified when there are any upgrades to this script
• It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling and motivates me to develop more

Donations
First of all, to be clear. This script is 100% free.

However if you feel an urge to donate I'm not going to say no.
Donations can be made at http://www.billspaintball.com/vb3/bd_donate.php

[Shazz]

All old users with 3.6.5 and lower should stay put :|

[djbaxter]

See post just above yours: Apparently, users with 3.67 and above also must stay put.

But if your version is 3.66 - exactly 3.66 - fire away!

[Riccardo83]

i get that message

The following dependencies were not met:

1. This product is not compatible with version 3.6.7 of vBulletin. (Compatible starting with 3.66)

why do u say then it works with 3.6.7 ?


Also im using a custom style, what results in that no images on the donations page are being displayed!

http://alizee-forum.com/billspaypal.php?

[Fireproof]

Originally Posted by Billspaintball

Have you tried using

<!-- PayPal Donations -->
<td class="vbmenu_control"><a href="../forums/billspaypal.php?">$vbphrase[billspp_donate]</a></td>
<!-- /PayPal Donations -->

or as a last resort

<!-- PayPal Donations -->
<td class="vbmenu_control"><a href="http://www.mysite.com/forums/billspaypal.php?">$vbphrase[billspp_donate]</a></td>
<!-- /PayPal Donations -->

[/QUOTE]

One of those should work in this case.[/QUOTE]


Thanks Bill. That'll help me for next time. In the meantime, I decided to put it in the quick links menu, and just used a straight html <a href> link in that menu. I'm still new to this php stuff - is there any magic behind the "$vbphrase[billspp_donate]"? I don't quite get the phrase stuff yet.


Also - maybe I missed it, but does this mod keep track of donators, and is there a way to view them?

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by djbaxter

Installation error message for version 1.32-366:

Bah....
Stupid typo

Ok, revised version uploaded.
If your running 3.6.6 or above download 1.32-366 again and it should now work.

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by Riccardo83

why do u say then it works with 3.6.7 ?

The XML file had a typo in it (3.66 instead of 3.6.6)
Anyhow thats fixed and a revised version has been uploaded.

Also im using a custom style, what results in that no images on the donations page are being displayed!

http://alizee-forum.com/billspaypal.php?

Custom styles can have their own images folder instead of the standard vB one.
You need to add the images in there in that case.
(Just had a quick look at your site and it looks like its fixed)

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by Fireproof

Thanks Bill. That'll help me for next time. In the meantime, I decided to put it in the quick links menu, and just used a straight html <a href> link in that menu. I'm still new to this php stuff - is there any magic behind the "$vbphrase[billspp_donate]"? I don't quite get the phrase stuff yet.

The product creates the phrase when its installed.
You can change the phrase if your using another language.

Also - maybe I missed it, but does this mod keep track of donators, and is there a way to view them?

No.

[Riccardo83]

Yeah I got the image thing and fixed also the typo myself.

Is there anyway i could set up a german, english, spanish languag for the link, sorry i used to have phpBB before and now converted all db to vB

[macahs]

Installed and working great so far! I had several (user error) issues but read through many of DementedMindz's post and eventually figured it all out. Thank you!

[Raydar]

Hi,

I'm using 1.31 still. I had my first donation today, but the guy that donated never received an email from PayPal and I didn't recieve an email from PayPal either. I only found out about the donation because he emailed me asking if I received the money. Is this normal? From experience with ebay and other things, PayPal always sends out info on transactions that are done.

Also, is there a way to make it so that the person who donates has his name shown on the donate page please?

Thanks

Reggie