[Support Thread] Nochex APC

[CJPinder]

Good work Christian. Let me know when you're done and I'll give it a whirl.

V1.3.1 is attached which should fix the negative amount bug when using Gift Certs.

Also, is the Order ID meant to be blank in the email from nochex?

Im assuming this isnt known until the callback itself, which is perhaps after nochex send the email?

Exactly, the order ID doesn't get created until the order is placed which is after the payment is made. As the order ID isn't known ahead of time it can't be passed over to NoChex.

Some payment modules have a guess at the order ID and assume it will be the current ID + 1. That can get confusing if someone places an order while someone else is making a payment though. I believe the other option is to use the external order number generator. Not tried it though.

Regards,
Christian.

[feelgood2k]

Superb, I'll give it a go. Thanks!


Sorry, I should probably start a new thread at this point, but wondered if you had any idea why the following is happening for me both using nochex and authorizenet payment methods (I suppose its not either module but something further upstream, or perhaps my configuration):

When using a gift certificate to pay for all but 31p or less of an order, zc doesnt send me from the Order Confirmation page to the payment provider, but instead takes me directly to the success page as if I had paid! Its bizzare!

[CJPinder]

Hi Everyone,

Please be aware that the v1.3.1 NoChex APC code I posted earlier is for V1.3.7 of Zen Cart. It is not compatible with the newly released v1.3.8 Zen Cart.

Zen Cart v1.3.8 has a NoChex APC module integrated into it. Unfortunately it appears that the code the Dev Team used was several months out of date and does not have recent bug fixes in it (or even some of the bug fixes from the v1.2 code I released ).

If you are currently using Zen Cart v1.3.7 and rely on NoChex for payments then I personally would suggest not upgrading to Zen Cart v1.3.8 at this time unless you absolutely have to.

Regards,
Christian.

[kuroi]

Unfortunately it appears that the code the Dev Team used was several months out of date and does not have recent bug fixes in it (or even some of the bug fixes from the v1.2 code I released ).

Christian

The work you do supporting this mod is much appreciated, but why do you bury it and the bug fixes associated with it in a support thread, rather than giving it a proper profile in the downloads area like other payment modules (including the other NoChex module)?

[CJPinder]

The work you do supporting this mod is much appreciated, but why do you bury it and the bug fixes associated with it in a support thread, rather than giving it a proper profile in the downloads area like other payment modules (including the other NoChex module)?

It has been a case of unfortunate timing. The NoChex payment module code is not very good. It was a hack someone did by mashing the PayPal IPN code. When I started using NoChex I realised that there was a number of bugs in the module and tried to fix them. My original intention was to post the fixed code up for other people to help test and then upload a working v1.2 module to the contributions section. Unfortunately, just before I had finished getting feed back on the v1.2 code someone else went and uploaded there own v1.2 code to the contributions section. After that I became too busy to worry about it so left it alone.

Recently, I've done some more work on the module and released some updates for people to test. Again my intention was to uploaded the module to the contributions section once I had some feedback that it was okay. Bad timing strikes again and v1.3.8 comes out with a version of the NoChex module integrated into core code.

Why the dev team felt the NoChex module needed to be integrated into core code I have no idea. There has never been any mention of it, nothing on a road map, not a single post stating that it was the intention. The NoChex module as it stands still has bugs in it and missing features. The v1.3.8 code is a step backwards on even that.

The closed source development of Zen Cart really frustrates me at times because contributors are left in the dark up until a release is done. We then have to spend time reverse engineering the release to find out how to fix our contributions. If we knew what was being changed ahead of time then life would be so much easier. We could have had v1.3.8 compatible modules ready for release which would have made everyones upgrading so much easier. Ho hum

Regards,
Christian.

[kuroi]

Sounds like you feel the same way about the Nochex mod as I feel about Stock by Attributes. But at least I have benefited from knowing that SBA is on the roadmap for 1.4.

Most open source projects rapidly become moribund and fade into obscurity. The small number of successful ones develop their own unique cultures and ways of working largely reflecting the personalities and preferences of the individuals on the team. In the case of Zen Cart, it appears that the development team are most comfortable working in a small, closed team, and indeed that this helps to fuel their continuing motivation and commitment to the project. While your and my presence here suggests that, Nochex issues aside, we rather like the results that this produces.

[CJPinder]

Sounds like you feel the same way about the Nochex mod as I feel about Stock by Attributes.

Well to put it bluntly, it's their headache now. One thing I have learnt is that there is no point in releasing fixes for core code. They just get ignored or lost in the bug reports forum. How the dev team can work without a proper bug tracking system is a mystery.

Maybe I'll go back to writing computer games, there's a certain 3D space game sequel that still needs finishing (I am of course still available for paid support work if anyone requires support for their sites or mods, and I do a great service for multivariate testing )

In the case of Zen Cart, it appears that the development team are most comfortable working in a small, closed team, and indeed that this helps to fuel their continuing motivation and commitment to the project. While your and my presence here suggests that, Nochex issues aside, we rather like the results that this produces.

I think Zen Cart is a great ecommerce system and the dev team do a great job. They just seem to make life extra hard for themselves by not being open in development, bug tracking or change control. There are a lot of people here who could help but it is really made difficult, maybe it is a trust thing.

Regards,
Christian.