PayPal Easy Donate

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!

:banana: Also includes a vB CMPS Module so you can use this hack on your vB CMPS pages. :banana:
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
• Works on vB 3.6 without any modifications
  

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 3.5.3
• vB 3.5.4
• vB 3.6.0 Beta 1
• vB 3.6.0 Beta 2
• vB 3.6.0 RC1
• vB 3.6.0

It should work on earlier versions of vB 3.5 as well, but I have no verification of that.

Known Bugs
None on a standard vB 3.5.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.

This has been tested in a totally clean install of vB 3.5.4 and in my live and hacked site as well.

Changelog

Version 1.31 (5th August 2006)

• Added - Ability to choose default donations amount if desired.
• Added - Thankyou page for donors.
• Added - Ability to choose if donations open in same or new page.
• Fixed - XML compliance.
• Fixed/Added - A couple of things that slip my mind at the moment.

Version 1.30 (9th May 2006)

• Added - Ability to choose different PayPal submit donate buttons
• Added - Ability to choose to display payment type accepted icons on donate page
• Added - One setting now controls Currency, Currency Symbol and Country
• Added - All images are now local, not called from PayPal
• Fixed - Breadcrumbs not showing correctly
• Fixed - Various minor template bugs
• Fixed - Typo in Where On Line plugin
• Fixed - Template Caching

Credits: I've had a lot of help and advice from Boofo on this version.

Version 1.21 (28th April 2006)

• Fixed - PayPal verified link was not working

Version 1.2 (16th April 2006)

• Added - Admin CP selector for Navlink, Button, or nothing
• Added - Donate button in header on right (selectable on/off)
• Added - Couple of tweaks for vB CMPS module addon
• Added - Grouped templates in style manager
• Fixed - Couple of minor changes to make it 100% HTML compliant

Version 1.1 (16th April 2006)

• Added - Ability to enter default currency symbol in Admin CP
• Added - Display default currency code on donations page
• Added - Display default currency symbol on donations page
• Fixed - Firefox centering issue
• Fixed - Typo on donation page

Version 1.0 (16th April 2006)

• Initial Release

Upgrade Instructions
To upgrade from 1.2x to 1.3 just download the zip, it contains the latest files.
Then upload the billsdonate.php and image files then import the XML file again.
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/billspaypal.php

[Oreamnos]

cool, thanks for the quick reply!

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by Billspaintball

I dont know why I didnt include a thank you page in this hack, espically since I have it in V2.
Will add to the 1.31 update.

I hope you still add it to 1.31 but I thought PayPal sends you to a thank you page?

[Oreamnos]

Originally Posted by Bubble #5

I hope you still add it to 1.31 but I thought PayPal sends you to a thank you page?

no, i did a little test and they just send them to their (the donater's) account page at paypal.

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by Oreamnos

no, i did a little test and they just send them to their (the donater's) account page at paypal.

Did you complete the information at their site for the thank you page? Unless you tell the system to do it, it won't thank the customer...

[Oreamnos]

no, i didn't know about that... where can i find that feature at paypal?

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by Oreamnos

no, i didn't know about that... where can i find that feature at paypal?

To be honest I don't remember the exact link, but it had two flavors, one was for HTTPS images, and one was for just your name in a text title. There should be a space for a URL if you have a custom page. Contact PayPal for more information. It will be better when this hack has its own thank you page, because then it will be easier for most people and made to look like it came from the forum instead of PayPal.

[Bubble #5]

I just thought of a great new feature for this that would be EASY to include :bunny: A summary page. A lot of people who use vB own more than one vB license. However PayPal only allows you to have one account unless you have more than one bank account (which most people don't have). By having a summary page you could tell your donators at EVERY site not to worry that the name on the PayPal account is different from that sites name. For example:

Bill's PayPal Summary:

You wish to donate X.XX to SiteName.com. This donation will place you in the Premium Members usersgroup which entitles you to these additional Premium member features;

• Feature one
• Feature two
• Feature three

We at SiteName.com wish to THANK YOU for your generous donation! We hope that you enjoy your new additional Premium member features. Please note that SiteName.com is a subsidiary of MainSiteName.com and MainSiteName.coms name will appear on your PayPal reciept.

Thank you once again.

This is just an example and the wording would of course be admin customizable

[pbradish]

Great, thanks!

[Billspaintball]

Well It looks like there is a distinct lack of bugs being reported
So I will get stuck into adding the couple of feature requests listed above over the weekend.

Any more suggestions or bugs, betta report them quick...

[SHalliday]

Any thoughts about adding a feature that would list the members who donated and perhaps listing them in order of largest donation. It could be a separate page with just the link appearing on the main donate page. I have seen this on other sites and always thought it was a good idea to recognise and give members "credit" for their donations. I think it would also encourage other memers to donate as well.