Donations / Paypal IPN Integration

Well, after searching and searching for a donation system that works, I've come to the realization that although there are a few good contribution / donation hacks out there, none of them are compatible with Paypal's IPN feature. That being the case I went experimenting, and got the IPN to work properly with VB.

So now I'm dealing with options and features that you all want to see in this type of hack. I am willing to put forth the effort to get this hack to be the best one there is on the market for this. After I get all the coding and stuff done with paypal and the "look & feel" of the hack for the rest of your VB site, I'll work on integrating it with Authorize.net as well. But for now, since the IPN is working, I need your input on what you would like to see included with this hack.

So far, I'm looking at a notification on the memberlist, one in the postbit for members of the top ten donators club, possible rewards for certain levels of donations, the option to show total amount collected, and exactly where the $$$ is going to (this is needed for me personally since my site is not-for-profit, so may be helpful to you as well), with the main donations page showing all the above with an information page for explanations of where the $$$ goes, etc.

The IPN backend is running via Paypal's recommended procedures and should any suspicious activities be seen by either the script or Paypal's server, the script will not add the information into the main database, but into a separate table for further investigation by the admin.

One thing that I am missing that I need help on is verifying Paypal's Verisign Digital Signature, When it comes to that, I'm dumber than Jim Carrey on LSD. If I could get help on that one, we will all be appreciative as this will increase the security of the system.

Please, let me know your ideas for this hack, and I will get them on my "ToDo" list. Please be understanding and patient though, as I am about to have a second child born into the world within the next few weeks, so may drop off working on this one for abit, but I will continue to code for it during my free time.

Until then, Enjoy!

)O( Cloudrunner )O(

[Cloudrunner]

UPDATE:

Almost done with the AdminCP, once I finish it the hack goes to version 0.7, and I'll go through some coding issues and tweaks to the system. When I finish that, the code goes to 0.8, where a select group of hackers gets a copy of the hack prior to release for "Alpha" testing. This will go on for approx. 1 week. Then I will release 0.9 "beta" to the public. I will be supporting this little gem for awhile, but remember please that my wife is due Friday, so I will be falling off the face of the planet soon, for a few days anyway.

Anyways, some more screeners for you.

[Cloudrunner]

Editing Custom Buttons

[Cloudrunner]

Making custom buttons

[Cloudrunner]

(this is not completed yet)

Editing the options.

[Cloudrunner]

UPDATE:

I'm friggin tired....so I'm going to bed....

Let me know if there's anything I missed that you know of that's not in the todo up top there.

I've removed the code for the contributors on the main donations page...for obvious reasons.

And I'm not gonna start the awards addition until I figure out how I'm gona implement it.

For now, I just gotta tweak and write the installation scripts and such, but it's close to alpha.

Thanks to everyone who has support me in this one.

[Dean C]

Well i must say this look really good. I have a similar hack working but it is far more simple. And doesn't rely on paypal's IPN system simply because it is too open to fraud

- miSt

[Cloudrunner]

1) Care to elaborate on how the IPN is open to fraud?

The reason I ask is this, The verification system is hardcoded (i.e. you cannot send it dynamic data to try to *spoof* my script into thinking that you are paypal's IPN server) to send the information only to one server, Papal's IPN verfier, if that server did not send the information, it returns an INVALID response, if my hack receives ANY INVALID response, or if it receives any suspicious information, the information is dumped into a seperate table for questionable transactions.

So the long and short of the matter is that the information HAS to come from Paypal's server, or it won't be added to the contributions.

2) This is the second post where someone has basically said, they've a better system....however, I did search the the site here, and found nothing that comes close to what has been requested, and what I need specifically for my site.

While I appreciate the fact that the users should have a choice of what hacks they can use, etc, and if there is a better hack somewhere, they should know about it...What I don't appreciate is when someone posts they've a better hack than the one I'm trying to build within this thread. If you've a better hack, kewl, post that with a link to where we can find it so we can make the choice.

3) While currently the hack relies on Paypal's IPN, it is in no way the only system that will be used once this goes into full release. I have plans in the works for you to be able to use any number of payment gateways that use and instant notification system. But that goes into the code later on. I simply want to get the system working first off. The other gateways will be added as simple code upgrades that will require nothing more to upgrade than simply uploading a new file.

Thanks.

Sorry if I sound irritated, but I am slightly...I hope you can understand.

Love and light to you all

)O( Cloudrunner )O(

[Cloudrunner]

WE'RE HAVING THE BABY!!!

No really, My wife is in the hospital now, unfortunately, she's not yet far enough into labor to pop....but she's in active labor right now.

YAY!!!

Will post pics later.

[Dean C]

I wish you all the best but it was someone who told me about the IPN system being open to fraud... I myself haven't had time to fully investigate into it as last time i took a look at using it i almost died from the complicatedness of it

- miSt

[Cloudrunner]

Actually, it's not complicated at all, IPN sends a notification, your server sends the info back to the server, if everything checks out, paypal sends a "VERIFIED" response, and you know it's a good payment.

Anyways, Pre-Alpha is finished. Gonna do some tweaks, then the invites for testers for alpha.