[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]

Danielle Chynoweth chyn at ojctech.com
Mon Jun 30 22:01:12 CDT 2008 

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
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
>
> --
> 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
> _______________________________________________
> Imc-bookkeeper mailing list
> Imc-bookkeeper at lists.chambana.net
> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/imc-bookkeeper
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/imc-tech/attachments/20080630/325d2c1f/attachment.htm

More information about the IMC-Tech mailing list