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

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by rareclownfish

Love the new look.

Does anyone have a pic of the "new look" before we update?

[rareclownfish]

Originally Posted by Billspaintball

Thank Boofo for that

Thanks boofo

[Boofo]

You're very welcome, sir.

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by Bubble #5

Does anyone have a pic of the "new look" before we update?

Have a look here until I update some pics.
http://www.billspaintball.com/vb3/billspaypal.php?

You can however change that appearance a bit from thr AdminCP depending on what options you choose.

[cavyspirit]

I was so hoping you would get the user group aspect incorporated into this release. I really have to have that before I can use this--and I desperately want to use this.

Do you have a time frame or a general idea of when you might be able to incorporate automatically signing people up on a user group?

Also, I would very much like the option of having two flavors of donation on that screen. One is a straight donation, the other is a subscription donation of monthly, quarterly if paypal allows it (can't remember), or annual.

I know, give them an inch....

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by Billspaintball

Have a look here until I update some pics.
http://www.billspaintball.com/vb3/billspaypal.php?

OK, thank you sir

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by cavyspirit

Also, I would very much like the option of having two flavors of donation on that screen. One is a straight donation, the other is a subscription donation of monthly, quarterly or annual.

This is a double edged sword. You'd better be prepared to set up a refund system if you use an 'automatic' charging system. Also if you get a lot of chargbacks on your PayPal account they will ban your account just like a bank does. Maybe have a checkbox under the donation button which reads "Make this donation annually." It could be a link so that if someone clicks on it it'll explain what annual donations mean on your forum. This way you wouldn't 'need' two flavors of the same hack, and the donator has some say as to if their donation is annual or not.

[cavyspirit]

<i>This is a double edged sword. You'd better be prepared to set up a refund system if you use an 'automatic' charging system. Also if you get a lot of chargbacks on your PayPal account they will ban your account just like a bank does.</i>

Hmmm. I'm not seeing the issue. I currently do this on my site, only it's not incorporated in the same way as this hack is. If someone donates a prescribed monthly amount, they are automatically assigned to a new additional user group. If they donate to the annual version, they are also assigned to a new and different user group. Immediately, they get the benefits associated with those user groups. It's very much understood this is a 'donation' (it's a rescue/animal welfare site) and they can cancel their subscription at any time. Are you saying that paypal has an issue if someone cancels a subscription? It happens once in a while, but it's not a big deal--at least it doesn't seem like it. I've had only one instance of sending back someone's money after a cancellation, and that was more my issue. I don't see how paypal would care.

I'm not even sure what a chargeback transaction looks like on paypal and don't quite get why I would need to set up a refund system.

Maybe this is in part why I can't install this until I can give the members the immediate benefit of additional features--even though many claim not to care. Or maybe I'm just not understanding this thoroughly?

[Bubble #5]

Originally Posted by cavyspirit

It's very much understood this is a 'donation' (it's a rescue/animal welfare site) and they can cancel their subscription at any time.

Yes maybe on your site, but not everyone has their site set up like you do. Every site is different.

Are you saying that paypal has an issue if someone cancels a subscription?

Not the first time, and probably not the second time, but if a pattern develops then yes. Contact PayPal about repeated chargbacks for more information. They will explain why repeated chargbacks are a big no-no

[cavyspirit]

Originally Posted by Bubble #5

Yes maybe on your site, but not everyone has their site set up like you do. Every site is different.

Definitely understand that, which is why I would expect/hope it to be a configurable option.

Originally Posted by Bubble #5

Not the first time, and probably not the second time, but if a pattern develops then yes. Contact PayPal about repeated chargbacks for more information. They will explain why repeated chargbacks are a big no-no

In reading on Paypal, Chargebacks and Subscription Cancellations are two very different things. I can see why repeated chargebacks would be an issue. But over the years, I've definitely had my share of subscription cancellations and it's never been a problem.

Again, I'm just hoping for the flexibility to implement donations in a way that works for me.