Google Checkout module for ZC 1.3.x (beta)

[Woodymon]

The GCO button is displaying on the login page and the shopping cart page. However the Google Checkout radio button does not appear on Step 2 of Checkout (Payment Method). Before I dive in and over think this problem, are there any common reasons this might occur?

1. I've re-examined my set-up and analyzed the situation and still don't understand why GCO does not appear as a payment method on the Checkout Step 2 page.

I see others have previously reported the same issue but later resolved. What's the trick ;-)

2. Also when I click on the GCO button on the shop cart page (or on other pages) the browser is redirected to:

https://sandbox.google.com/cws/v2/Me...Umber/checkout

which shows the following "error":

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.

<error serial-number="blah-blah-blah">
<error-message>No seller found with id My_KEY_Number</error-message>
</error>

BTW I've configured the mod to use the sandbox and Google website shows account is set-up and I confirmed the key number in above error was correct.

Woody

[samad64]

1. I've re-examined my set-up and analyzed the situation and still don't understand why GCO does not appear as a payment method on the Checkout Step 2 page.

I see others have previously reported the same issue but later resolved. What's the trick ;-)

2. Also when I click on the GCO button on the shop cart page (or on other pages) the browser is redirected to:

https://sandbox.google.com/cws/v2/Me...Umber/checkout

which shows the following "error":



BTW I've configured the mod to use the sandbox and Google website shows account is set-up and I confirmed the key number in above error was correct.

Woody

did you sign up for a sandbox account? google sandbox accounts are completely separate from live accounts - if running in sandbox mode you will need to sign up for a sandbox account instead of a live account

[Woodymon]

did you sign up for a sandbox account?

Argh! I now see it's in the readme! I read and reread the Install doc but mised the read me :-( Thanks for the tip.

Woody

[Woodymon]

1. Purchasing via the sandbox by clicking on the GCO button works.

2. However the Google Checkout radio button does not appear on Step 2 of Checkout (Payment Method). My first thought is the Google Checkout mod version of tpl_checkout_payment_default.php was not uploaded to my custom template directory. But I double checked and observe the following code in the proper location within that file:

<?php
if (sizeof($selection) > 1) {
if($selection[$i]['id'] == "googlecheckout")
continue;
?>

Any pointers on what to look for next? Is there any debugcode I can utilize?

Thanks,
Woody

[ropu]

Hello,

I just finished reading this whole GCO for ZC mod thread.

If I am not mistaken recent posts to this thread may indicate 'colosports' and 'ropu' might be independently working on different versions of the GCO for ZC mod?

And I also see listed on http://code.google.com/p/google-checkout-zencart/
the names of vigneshgg, david.eger, jacob13moon, checkoutdevpro, rovagnati listed as the Google Code project owners.

So are there various forks of this GCO for ZC mod in existence? Or is everyone developing the same mod?

The reason I ask is there have been a number of recommended patches posted in this support thread. But some of those patch recommends don't state which version of the GCO mod and which version of Zen Cart the patch is intended for.

Also could anyone knowledgable in the status of this GCO for ZC mod development put together a short list (hopefully) of known issues with the current v.1.04 mod (including a list of standard Zen Cart features which are NOT supported, using Zen Cart v.1.36 as the basis of comparison).

I think this kind of info will get everyone up-to-date and on the same page.

Thanks,

Woody

Hi woody.

First i must tell you the ropu and rovagnati are the same person, me .

Colosport is a contributor to the project too, he've made some changes u can see in the changelog

But now im in charge of the development of the modules. Im working, as i said, on a new release. It will support merchant calculated shipping and coupons. We have some design issues, (ex. GC support many coupons for each sell, but zen cart just one. an other thing related with time outs, xml parsers, and other non widely supported function as getallheaders())


We are very happy with all the feedback we are receiving from you! and we expect to have a fully supported GC module as soon as possible! so all of ur comments are very important.

thanks

bruno rovagnati (AKA Ropu :)

[ropu]

Besides chmod 777 the following files:
response_error.log
response_message.log

What are the recommended chmod permissions settings for the googlecheckout directory and files within:

gcheckout.php
responsehandler.php
xmlbuilder.php
xmlparser.php

So 777 means the whole world can read the log files? Is this ok?

Should there be an index.txt file added to the googlecheckout directory? And any recommended .htaccess settings or any other configuration recommended to prevent the googlecheckout directory from being spidered or accessed in other unwanted ways.

Whom in this forum has the security credentials to provide guidance regarding the Google Checkout for Zen Cart mod security configuration?

Woody

Hi woody again! u've made many important questions,. i hope i can answer them all!

First, is true that about security. those logs are going to be move to a secure place, this is an other design issue.

Hello again,

1. I'm running ZC 1.36. Just installed colosports v.1.04 GCO mod with his 11-16-06 tpl_checkout_confirmation_default.php edit and with ropu's responsehandler.php 11-23-06 edit.

The GCO button is displaying on the login page and the shopping cart page.

However the Google Checkout radio button does not appear on Step 2 of Checkout (Payment Method).

Before I dive in and over think this problem, are there any common reasons this might occur?

2. Also I see the very first line of gcheckout.php is:
require_once('admin/includes/configure.php');

Any good reason the admin directory needs to be hard coded this way? For those storeowners who renamed their 'admin' directory as official Zen Cart security recommendations highly recommends, this will be problematic.

3. Anyone yet test Google Checkout by purchasing/downloading virtual softgoods (a.k.a. instant download products)? If so is the customer redirected back to the checkout success page with the download link displayed?

Thanks,
Woody

one by one.

1) GC button will only appear as an Alternative way of doing a checkout! It must NOT be part of the regular checkout flow! hava a look to the TOS https://sandbox.google.com/termsOfSe...er&tzfp=lgB4rD

2) Is dificult to know where is the admin directory with out having the file that tell us where is located! (in fact where is located the admin directory is the config file!) ill have a look to this an see if is an other way of solving it!

3) Softgoods is a pendent issue. ill putit in the agenda! (any mod/contribution to test with???)

Do you mean what I have attached here? All I did was put the files in the appropriate place.

Does no one know the answer to my question?

1. Purchasing via the sandbox by clicking on the GCO button works.

2. However the Google Checkout radio button does not appear on Step 2 of Checkout (Payment Method). My first thought is the Google Checkout mod version of tpl_checkout_payment_default.php was not uploaded to my custom template directory. But I double checked and observe the following code in the proper location within that file:


Any pointers on what to look for next? Is there any debugcode I can utilize?

Thanks,
Woody

Hi TripleMoons, yes the whole idea of this is that the integration with GC is of level 2! this means, the you can admin all your orders via the ZenCart Admin UI!

Thanks all for your feedback! we are working to solve all this problems!

ropu

[Woodymon]

Bruno-

Thanks for the info above and responses to my inquiries.

1) GC button will only appear as an Alternative way of doing a checkout! It must NOT be part of the regular checkout flow! hava a look to the TOS https://sandbox.google.com/termsOfSe...er&tzfp=lgB4rD

I have noted others in this thread have indicated that when using the most recent GCO for ZC payment mod, Google Checkout (GCO) indeed shows up as a Radio button on the Checkout Step 2/Payment Method page and then when customer proceeds to step 3 page the GCO button would be the only button displayed and when customer clicks the button to confirm order they are redirected to GCO site.

You are saying the GCO TOS flatly forbids this?

So how come the latest mod supports this functionality (even though it does not work for me, yet)?

Could not the provided GCO button be displayed in the shopping cart page AND also at the same time, Google Checkout be listed as an alternative payment option on the Step 2 page? Would this combination not meet Google's TOS. I understand GCO is an alternative checkout method AND an alternative payment method but I don't understand the policy that would forbid the display of a radio button.

I'm certain not allowing this will confuse many customers. And who to blame ;-)

2) Is dificult to know where is the admin directory with out having the file that tell us where is located! (in fact where is located the admin directory is the config file!) ill have a look to this an see if is an other way of solving it!

A conundrum which I have no expertise in. I am only now beginning to educate myself of the theory behind the init system and notifier system. Are not the defines in /admin/includes/configure.php available to mods via a sniffer. How is the PayPal IPN payment mod is acquiring the name of the "admin" directory. Maybe DrByte, ajeh and/or wilt can provide some insight?

3) Softgoods is a pendent issue. ill put it in the agenda! (any mod/contribution to test with???)

Softgood = virtual product = downloadable computer data file (an eBook PDF, MP3 file, software application archive, for examples).

Not sure if you are aware... in standard Zen Cart admin the store-owner can assign a downloadable file to a product in the catalog by placing the file in the downloads directory and setting up the product with an option attribute (that is the very short explanation). No mod is needed. Then customer adds a downloadable product to shopping cart just like any other product. Once checkout is processed and payment transaction is completed, the customer browser should be redirected to the checkout_success page which should show a download link (f payment was confirmed). This is often referred to as "instant download". Also the order confirmation email sent to customer should contain a link to the customers account order history page, which will also show the download link after payment is confirmed (standard Zen Cart order confirm emails already include this link).

I do hope Google Checkout for Zen Cart mod can fully support "instant downloads".

Another item I wanted to bring to someones attention.... when keying the Google Merchant ID and Merchant Key into ZC admin form (when configuring the GCO payment mod) it appears the page the form is on is not protected by https and the contents of the form is not hashed. Although the admin page the form is on is not secure, is the form itself? Is this lack of encryption an issue of concern for anyone?

Thanks for helping in the GCO for Zen Cart mod development. I'm sure it will be used by very many.

Woody

[TripleMoons]

Hi TripleMoons, yes the whole idea of this is that the integration with GC is of level 2! this means, the you can admin all your orders via the ZenCart Admin UI!

Thank you for at least attempting to reply to me.

But I still need this question answered.

The radio button shows up in Step 2 to select Google Checkout just fine. When you hit Confirm Order in Step 3, it goes to the "Thank you for your order!" screen and does not allow the customer to go to Google Checkout, sign in & pay. The order shows up in the Zenn cart Admin, but does not show up in my Google Checkout account.

Is this how this is supposed to work? I am supposed to send them an invoice via Google Checkout when I receive the order?

[Justwade]

Woody, thank you for asking many questions on my mind and many others. As you may have noticed, there is over 10,400 page views on this thread.

I too would like to see the instant download feature that is built into Zen Cart utilized.

I can only assume there is a large group still holding back from installing this mod. I know I am. But for those who have a working set up, or just those in the know, could you tell me (us) if our Terms and Conditions, or a Privacy statement can be regulated in this Google Checkout system? Maybe on the Google site?

[Woodymon]

Woody, thank you for asking many questions on my mind and many others. As you may have noticed, there is over 10,400 page views on this thread.

I too would like to see the instant download feature that is built into Zen Cart utilized.

I can only assume there is a large group still holding back from installing this mod. I know I am. But for those who have a working set up, or just those in the know, could you tell me (us) if our Terms and Conditions, or a Privacy statement can be regulated in this Google Checkout system? Maybe on the Google site?

Hi Justwade:

Not sure if I understand. Can you explain what is meant by "regulated"? Are you asking if Google can regulate the language you put into your ZC shops TOS/Priv Stmt? Or are you asking if the mod will be eventually developed to support the current Zen Cart function which can be enabled to "force" buyers to read/agree to your shops TOS/Priv Stmt, before check out? If it is the last question I ssee someone else recently posted this same question but I did not see a response.

I really don't know enough about this mod to explain it's feature support and/or limitations. I'm not a pro developer and have not been as successful as others whom have posted in this thread on getting the most current GCO for ZC mod to work successfully.

Anyone know if this GCO for ZC mod dev effort is Google financed (in whole or in part) or if it is a completely independent 'volunteer' dev project? Whichever it is, I do appreciate the effort of everyone working on developing the mod.

It would be good thing to see the dev group post a 'roadmap', listing the Zen Cart features/functionality the GCO for ZC mod supports in its current form (or is suppose to), which specific feature support is soon planned, and which functions are further off in time, and which features will not likely see the night of day.

I think many Zen Cart store-owners/admins like me may have jumped to quickly to a conclusion that this GCO for ZC mod will eventually (sooner) support most of the same functionality/feature set supported by the PayPal IPN mod code bundled with Zen Cart. But now I'm finding that conclusion circumspect.

Regards if the GCO TOS disallows the combination of checkout methods, the reason for this limitation is not understood. If the GCO mod developers are Google financed then I presume they have to develop the mod in such a way that it will not support any potential violation of the GCO TOS (kind of like Google Search in China cannot violate Chinese government edict). However I would think other developers can do what they want, in developing a GCO mod for ZC, allowing it to be used with the standard zen cart checkout system. Or does the license bundled with the GCO mod code base provided Google which the mod developers are building upon, contain limitations on how the code can be further 'enhanced'. At any rate beware that it will possibly come back on the store-owner if the mod is being 'utilized' in such a way that violates the GCO TOS.

Myself I don't understand the reason behind the GCO mod checkout limitation. (I suspect once the GCO service matures, the faster Google can get your customers to the Goggle site the more Google Ads will be observed by your customers). But GCO not supportiing the standard Zen cart checkout system will likely decrease the adoption of Google Checkout by small volume Zen Cart storeowners, once the limitations are publicly espoused upon. However as suggested it may be that Google has a much bigger goal in mind in regards to the fundamentals behind GCO service, and satisfying the needs of little ol shopowners like us is not a high priority. But I hope that I am wrong as it was it my wish that GCO would become a viable competitor to PayPal, in the mom and pop shop cart online payments system industry.

With all the effort thats going in to the GCO PR campaign, it's amazing the amount of vagueness/ambiguity that still exists surrounding the GSO service.

As qhome previously stated in this thread, the current version of the GCO for ZC mod needs more time in the oven. And Isaac stated the mod is still very much beta. I think it should be promoted upfront as such. Ropu reported above he is now lead on the mod dev project and for us all to expect a new version soon (I presume the update will be an upgrade of current v1.04.). With that I suggest holding off installing the mod, until it is more reliable/functional, until more complete Zen Cart support is implemented, and a more thorough report of the pros and cons of both the GCO for ZC mod, and the GCO service in general, are reported on. That is unless you want to be a beta tester ;-)

To sum up I'm certain most ZC shop-owners, before signing up for a GCO merchant account and before installing the GCO for ZC mod, would appreciate a report of what the GCO for ZC mod will and will not do. Just a little communication could prevent much frustration for ZC shopowners.

But look at me, I missed reading the readme ;-)

Woody