[Imc-bookkeeper] can now do custom auto-response to Paypal payments! got IPN working for UCIMC, Bike Project, etc. [was: [UCIMC-Tech] Re: IMC membership - paypal follow-up]

Jay Schubert jay.schubert at gmail.com
Tue Jul 1 08:21:35 CDT 2008 

Barry,

Nice work.  I will put together some copy for a welcome email and get some
feedback on it shortly.

Thanks,
Jay

On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 9:01 PM, Danielle Chynoweth <chyn at ojctech.com>
wrote:

> If there is no downside to turning IPN on except some email notifications,
> then go ahead and turn it on.  No need for a decision about such a small
> item.  Can you have finance at ucimc.org be notified any time a person gets a
> thank you from us?  That's how I have it set up with other Paypal accounts I
> admin.  thanks Barry! - Danielle
>
> On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 8:54 PM, Barry Isralewitz <barryi at ks.uiuc.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 01:22:43PM -0500, Barry Isralewitz wrote:
>> > ----- Forwarded message from Barry Isralewitz <barryi at ks.uiuc.edu>
>> -----
>> >
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > > On Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Jay Schubert <
>> jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>> > > >
>> > > > Does anyone know if paypal allows us to customize our response?  Is
>> there
>> > > > any simple way that new memberships and renewals via paypal can
>> trigger an
>> > > > automated email?
>> >
>> >   There is supposed to be one but it is broken; Paypal says they are
>> fixing it.
>> >
>> >   There are other approaches:
>> > Easiest would be  implement Instant Payment Notification.
>>
>>  Got annoyed tonight over waiting for paypal to fix things, so I just
>> implemented Instant Payment Notification on the ucimc.org Paypal account
>> site.
>> Works great with both ucimc.org and thebikeproject.org donations.  We can
>> send
>> those custom emails as Jay wants, and dole them to different groups if we
>> want.
>> This was  done via a PHP script (ipntest.php).  Does anti-spoof
>> verification by
>> posting details back to Paypal. Then other stuff.  Email me if you would
>> like a
>> copy of ipntest.php.
>>
>>  After a payment, Paypal contacts the script on our server, with all
>> the info from the transaction, and the script does the verification, then
>> whatever we want it to.
>> So far, all I had it do was mail my personal account with full transaction
>> info.
>> We could similar per-IMC-group, then have each group process the email
>> they get.
>> Or, just add lines to the PHP script to send "Thank You"/Orientation mails
>> direct to subscribers.
>>
>>  I just turned IPN back off, since I did this test without consulting
>> Finance
>> people.  Looks like not really affect performance of the site, or , even
>> when
>> badly broken, interfere with a donation (this is Instant Payment
>> _Notification_, it acts after the transaction has ended).  I think
>> ucimc.org
>> site donations would still work even if thebikeproject.org tanked
>> although
>> ucimc.org kept going. But could make semi-personal data (but no credit
>> card
>> numbers or similar) a little bit less safe since being sent as stored as
>> unencrypted email.  At least worth discussion.
>>
>>  I think this won't tell us about non-monetary events, such as
>> subscription
>> cancellations.  Can use other means. or wait for Email Notices to get
>> fixed...
>>
>>  I'll talk to Finance group about turning IPN back on for testing out
>> automatic "Welcome to The Bike Project!" messages.
>>
>>              Cheers,
>>
>>              Barry
>>
>>
>>
>>  Or gather data on own website, use
>> > Paypal SOAP API directly.  I've been avoiding such server interactions,
>> both
>> > requires additional reliable features on chamabana.net servers, would
>> be much
>> > harder to find someone to maintain/alter/repair this after I leave, and
>> might
>> > be harder for other IMC groups to use than email-based solution.
>> >      -- periodically download transactions spreadsheet, and do automated
>> search for relevant activities.
>> >     -- stop using Paypal, do web donations through a more competent
>> company.
>> > (Even if higher price/percentage, worth it in overral receipts to get
>> extra
>> > contacts -> improve donor relations -> increase donations).
>> >
>> >
>> >   Details on Paypal Subscription Email Notices
>> > ---
>> >   Here's the currently-relevant text from Paypal's latest documentation.
>>  If
>> > you are familiar with Paypal documentation, note that the _Recurring
>> Payments
>> > Guide_ has recently been obseleted, the info. it contained is now found
>> in the
>> > _Website Payments Standard Integration Guide_.
>> >   Below is the relevant passage on Subscription Email Notices.
>> > ========
>> >  From the Paypal _Website Payments Standard Integration Guide_
>> > "June 2008" edition
>> > Page 72
>> > ====
>> > Using Email Notices to Track Subscription Transactions
>> > PayPal sends you email notices when:
>> >   * People sign up for new subscriptions.
>> >   * Subscription payments are made.
>> >   * Subscriptions end or are canceled.
>> > Generally, PayPal sends email notices to the primary email address of
>> your
>> > account.  PayPal can send email notices to an alternate email address,
>> such as
>> > to someone in your organization who handles accounting or manages access
>> to
>> > members-only content. Add the additional email address to your account
>> profile.
>> > Then, use that email address as the value for the business
>> > ========
>> >
>> > I've had Bike Project subscriptions set to generate Email Notices to
>> > thebikeproject at gmail.org from the very start, but it has never worked.
>>  An
>> > internal Paypal  user field "User Receives Subscription Payment
>> Notification
>> > Emails" must be set "True", but the user web GUI does not offer this
>> option,
>> > and top level Paypal tech support workers have been repeatedly shocked
>> to find
>> > that _they_, working on Paypal internal settings, cannot manually set
>> the
>> > field.
>> >
>> > Amazingly, there has been no bug report number or similar tracking
>> information
>> > available for this known bug. The best they can do, they told me, is
>> promise to
>> > contact me about this when the issue is solved.  I cannot call Paypal
>> and say
>> > "It has been 6 months since bug XXXXXXX has been filed, what is the
>> progress?"
>> > More information on this issue available from me for those interested.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >             Cheers,
>> >
>> >             Barry
>> >
>> >
>> > On Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 01:30:59PM -0500, Danielle Chynoweth wrote:
>> > > Hi Jay,
>> > > We have, Nicole Pion, a full time support person coming on to analyze
>> and
>> > > improve our membership, thanking, and outreach systems.  She will be
>> meeting
>> > > with each working group to hear about needs in this regard.  When you
>> meet
>> > > with her, give her details about what kind of thanking, membership
>> alters,
>> > > etc you want to see.
>> > >
>> > > As for what is possible, Paypal should be sending a confirmation of
>> payment
>> > > for membership already.  I would like to see us track ALL of our
>> contacts
>> > > with CiviCRM connected to both Drupal and Paypal.  CiviCRM is a open
>> source
>> > > Constituent Relationship Manager (made famous by Howard Dean) and can
>> manage
>> > > memberships and send reminders.  We have in house knowledge about
>> installing
>> > > and maintaining it.
>> > >
>> > > - Danielle
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > On Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Jay Schubert <
>> jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>> > > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > It has recently come to my attention that when people become members
>> of the
>> > > > IMC via the membership page on the IMC site, other than the generic
>> paypal
>> > > > receipt, they are not receiving any follow up acknowledgment.
>> > > >
>> > > > Does anyone know if paypal allows us to customize our response?  Is
>> there
>> > > > any simple way that new memberships and renewals via paypal can
>> trigger an
>> > > > automated email?
>> > > >
>> > > > It seems like we're really missing an opportunity to greet new
>> members,
>> > > > extend an invitation to get involved with our projects and plant the
>> seed
>> > > > that we hope they will renew their membership annually (which as far
>> as I
>> > > > can tell is up to each member to keep track of currently).  As you
>> can see
>> > > > below, a new member from books to prisoners was distraught after her
>> > > > experience of joining the IMC using paypal.
>> > > >
>> > > > While the business of sending reminders for membership renewals is a
>> > > > different can of worms, it seems like a simple follow up message for
>> new &
>> > > > renewing members would be a relatively simple matter.  If anyone
>> knows how
>> > > > to set this up, I would be happy to write / propose some copy for
>> such a
>> > > > message.
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks,
>> > > >
>> > > > Jay Schubert
>> > > > (217) 721-7419
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> > > > From: ann h. <annhett at yahoo.com>
>> > > > Date: Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 10:25 AM
>> > > > Subject: Re: Fwd: [Btp-jail-libraries] Fwd: Friday afternoon at the
>> Main
>> > > > Jail
>> > > > To: Jay Schubert <jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >  i became a member in may but never received any sort of
>> confirmation,other
>> > > > than from paypal.  Should I have received something?
>> > > >
>> > > > thanks,
>> > > > ann
>> > > >
>> > > > --- On *Sun, 6/29/08, Jay Schubert <jay.schubert at gmail.com>* wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > > From: Jay Schubert <jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>> > > > Subject: Fwd: [Btp-jail-libraries] Fwd: Friday afternoon at the Main
>> Jail
>> > > > To: "BTP Libraries" <btp-jail-libraries at lists.chambana.net>
>> > > > Date: Sunday, June 29, 2008, 11:18 AM
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > re: IMC keys.
>> > > >
>> > > > I agree that it would be nice if more of our volunteers had access
>> to the
>> > > > IMC building and would like to take this opportunity to appeal to
>> jail
>> > > > librarians who do not have keys to the building to consider becoming
>> a
>> > > > member of the Independent Media Center.
>> > > >
>> > > > If you have been volunteering with books to prisoners for a while
>> now and
>> > > > enjoy doing it, please consider becoming a member and supporting the
>> parent
>> > > > organization that makes it possible for books to prisoners to
>> operate the
>> > > > way we do.  The IMC relies on membership dues to help pay for the
>> mortgage
>> > > > on our building, utilities and other costs not covered by the rent
>> we
>> > > > collect.
>> > > >
>> > > > Membership costs as little as $25 a year.  Once you are a member you
>> are
>> > > > entitled to a building key in exchange for a nominal deposit.
>> > > >
>> > > > - Books to Prisoners needs more volunteers with keys to the building
>> > > > - The IMC would not exist without the financial support of its
>> members
>> > > > - Have you ever thought that it would be convenient to have a key /
>> 24 hour
>> > > > access to the building?
>> > > > - Have you been volunteering with BTP and like what you see?
>> > > > *
>> > > > Please consider joining the IMC*
>> > > >
>> > > > Here is a link to more information about becoming a member:
>> > > > http://www.ucimc.org/info/membership
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks,
>> > > > Jay
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > On Sun, Jun 8, 2008 at 10:47 PM, Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >>
>> > > >>
>> > > >> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> > > >> From: Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com>
>> > > >> Date: Jun 8, 2008 11:39 PM
>> > > >> Subject: Fwd: Friday afternoon at the Main Jail
>> > > >> To: Josh Seiter <jseiter2 at uiuc.edu>, Kristin Palmer <
>> palmerk3 at gmail.com>
>> > > >> Cc: Jail library <btp-jail-libraries at books2prisoners.org>
>> > > >>
>> > > >> Tracy Dace and I met with 65 prisoners. The air conditioning had
>> gone out
>> > > >> in the men's cells.The library was OK.
>> > > >> Neither Kristin nor Josh have a key to the Books to Prisoners room
>> and
>> > > >> access to the jail box.  I am going to go and meet one of them
>> around  5:45.
>> > > >> If it is Josh with a car, he can take the box and we can figure out
>> later
>> > > >> how and when to get it back. If it is Kristin on her bicycle, then
>> I can
>> > > >> give her the books and magazines in a bag that she can carry.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> I have a proposal to the keystaff that we purchase 2 or 3 keys for
>> our
>> > > >> Monday nighters so that the jail inmates don't have to always be
>> "sad" as
>> > > >> Frances Jacobson reports when there is no jail box with their
>> long-awaited
>> > > >> orders. The Friday afternoon people all know we will be there on
>> Monday
>> > > >> night and they are eager.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> Here were the Friday orders:
>> > > >> 1-2. Deborah Kissel and Adrien White want word search books. These
>> have to
>> > > >> be bought at the grocery store.
>> > > >> Deborah is still hpoing for one of two Dave Pelzer books - Help
>> Yourself
>> > > >> and The Privilege of Youth.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 3. Valerie Gordon wants the little booklets Daily Bread.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 4. Marcus Williams wants True to the Game 2, which is checked out
>> to a
>> > > >> woman prisoner named Chantrel (or something similar) Brown, who
>> promises to
>> > > >> bring it back rather than give it to her cell mate. This idea is
>> tough sell,
>> > > >> but if the books comes in from Ms. Brown, please put it in the box
>> until Mr.
>> > > >> Williams comes in.
>> > > >> Jay had an idea about checking out special books such as Goines.  I
>> want
>> > > >> to hear it. (again).
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 5. Charles Brown wants, has wanted, is wanting, will want Nikki
>> Turner or
>> > > >> Dutch 2. The latter is by Teri Woods, the author of True to the
>> Game.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 6. Cody Decker wants anything by Zane except for Breaking the
>> Cycle. I put
>> > > >> something by Zane in the box with his name on it.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 7. William Kelly wants a Koran. We were completely out of them, and
>> he
>> > > >> wanted several to be there for others. I put three in the box and
>> told Naeem
>> > > >> Sheikh about this as  people from the Mosque occasionally visit the
>> jail and
>> > > >> bring such things. Johnnie Ray
>> > > >>  Priester asked before for something on Hadith. Said he already had
>> his
>> > > >> own Koran. On Friday he was in Seg and they would not let him come.
>> I had
>> > > >> the slim book, Understanding Islam and  gave it to the guard for
>> him.  They
>> > > >> will usually do that for prisoners. The Mosque has also been
>> informed about
>> > > >> this request as we will not have that.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 8. One request for the small Alcoholics Anonymous blue backed book.
>> Jay
>> > > >> tells me that we don't supply them, but that the jail does.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> 9. Vernon Jones has been reading our poetry collection most
>> aggressively
>> > > >> but has not found anything he likes yet. He wants some poetry that
>> is
>> > > >> "realistic." Another guy wanted love poetry that rhymed and I was
>> able to
>> > > >> help him with a lot of searching. I am working on something for
>> Vernon
>> > > >> through networking and inquiry. Hoping to have something by Monday
>> night.
>> > > >> Our poetry collection has not been hitting the spot for some time.
>> Does
>> > > >> anyone out there have a good idea for something that
>> African-American men
>> > > >> would like?
>> > > >>
>> > > >> Barbara Kessel
>> > > >>
>> > > >> _______________________________________________
>> > > >> Btp-jail-libraries mailing list
>> > > >> Btp-jail-libraries at lists.chambana.net
>> > > >> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/btp-jail-libraries
>> > > >>
>> > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > > Btp-jail-libraries mailing list
>> > > > Btp-jail-libraries at lists.chambana.net
>> > > > http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/btp-jail-libraries
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > IMC-Tech mailing list
>> > > IMC-Tech at lists.ucimc.org
>> > > http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-tech
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Barry Isralewitz, Ph. D.   Theoretical and Computational Biophysics
>> Group, UIUC
>> > Beckman 3043    Office Phone: (217) 244-1612   Home Phone: (217)
>> 337-6364
>> > email: barryi at ks.uiuc.edu      http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/~barryi<http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/%7Ebarryi>
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > IMC-Tech mailing list
>> > IMC-Tech at lists.ucimc.org
>> > http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-tech
>> >
>> > ----- End forwarded message -----
>> >
>> > --
>> > Barry Isralewitz, Ph. D.   Theoretical and Computational Biophysics
>> Group, UIUC
>> > Beckman 3043    Office Phone: (217) 244-1612   Home Phone: (217)
>> 337-6364
>> > email: barryi at ks.uiuc.edu      http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/~barryi<http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/%7Ebarryi>
>>
>> --
>> Barry Isralewitz, Ph. D.   Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group,
>> UIUC
>> Beckman 3043    Office Phone: (217) 244-1612   Home Phone: (217) 337-6364
>> email: barryi at ks.uiuc.edu      http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/~barryi<http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/%7Ebarryi>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Imc-bookkeeper mailing list
>> Imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
>> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-bookkeeper
>>
>
>
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