Miscellaneous Hacks - PayPal Easy Donate - Lite

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!


Some features of this hack are:

• No need to modify or edit any vB files!
• Automaticly adds 'Donate' link on Navbar next to the FAQ link if desired.
• Simple once off setup in the Admin Control Panel.
• 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
• Fully Phrased
  

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 don't have much free time.

This script has been confirmed as working on

• vB 3.7 Rc1

Known Bugs

• Choosing the button instead of the Navbar link for the donations breaks xml validation (but still functions fine).
• 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.

Change log

Version 2.00 (21st March 2008)

• First release for vB 3.7.*
• Added - Fully Phrased.
• Will only work with vB 3.7.* or newer

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

[Billspaintball]

Manual Template Edit
(if using modded navbar without the default hooks)

If your using a custom Navbar (or none at all) or just want to have the link to the donations page somewhere else, just add the following code into the desired position in your template.

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

If you wish to use a button image instead, use this code

<div align="right"><a href="billspaypal.php"><img src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-butcc-donate.gif" border="0" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" /></a></div>

[Boofo]

What does "lite" mean in this version as compared to the other versions?

[Big Boss]

That's what I'd like to know as well. Are you planning on releasing a paid version with other features?

[Jase2]

Hi Bill,

I have seen on one site that uses this; they use this image: and have three; one for ?, one for $ and one for €... is there anyway I can do this too?

Regards Jason

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by Boofo

What does "lite" mean in this version as compared to the other versions?

Originally Posted by Big Boss

That's what I'd like to know as well. Are you planning on releasing a paid version with other features?

Lite as in just a basic donations system.

- Simple to install and use, (and remove too).
- No vB modifications necessary, no template edits, no database changes.
- Just a basic donations system without unnecessary complexity.

Also leaves room for the possibility of a more full featured version with the works in the future.

[Billspaintball]

Originally Posted by Jase2

Hi Bill,

I have seen on one site that uses this; they use this image: and have three; one for ?, one for $ and one for ?... is there anyway I can do this too?

Regards Jason

Its easy enough to change the donation button graphic.
Just rename it paypal_donate.gif and upload it to images/misc

As for 3 buttons for different currency's, yes it would be easy enough to hack that with a template modification. (but you would loose the ability to set the currency from the AdminCP)

[KURTZ]

just tagged for future use ... niceone Bill!

[Jase2]

Originally Posted by Billspaintball

Its easy enough to change the donation button graphic.
Just rename it paypal_donate.gif and upload it to images/misc

As for 3 buttons for different currency's, yes it would be easy enough to hack that with a template modification. (but you would loose the ability to set the currency from the AdminCP)

I see, care to share what template edit I could make?

Regards Jason

[liselotte]

thanks