PayPal Hacks

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 368 pages
• Published by: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
• Edition: 1st Edition September 7, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0596007515
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0596007515
• Book Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 1.1 pounds

Product Description
If you've bought or sold items through eBay, or through hundreds of other online sites, then you're familiar with PayPal, the online payment service. With PayPal, a valid email address, and a credit card or bank account, you can easily send and receive payments online. Not a bank or financial institution itself, PayPal describes its service as one that builds on the financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards, and using advanced propriety fraud prevention systems, creates a safe, global, real-time payment solution. Put simply, PayPal provides the means for people to conduct financial transactions online, instantly and securely. But there's more to PayPal than meets the eye. PayPal Hacks shows you how to make the most of PayPal to get the most out of your online business or transactions. Authors Shannon Sofield of Payloadz.com and PayPal evangelist David Nielsen guide you through the rigors of using and developing with PayPal. Whether you're building an ecommerce site using PayPal as a transaction provider, or simply trying to pay for an eBay auction without getting burned, PayPal Hacks will give you the skinny on this leading global online payment service. The collection of tips and tricks in PayPal Hacks shows you how to find or even build the right tools for using PayPal to buy and sell on eBay or as a transaction provider for ecommerce on your own site. Written for all PayPal users, from those just starting out to those developing sophisticated ecommerce sites, this book begins with the basics such as setting up your account, then moves quickly into specific tips and tools for buyers, sellers, and developers. With PayPal Hacks, you can:

• Learn extra steps to help protect yourself while buying or selling on eBay
• Save time and money with advanced tips and undocumented features
• Learn dozens of easy-to-follow procedures to help you request and receive payments and fill orders
• Use PayPal to handle subscriptions, affiliate systems, and donations
• Create and customize your customers' checkout process
• Effortlessly integrate PayPal's shopping cart system into your own website
• Implement digital fulfillment with Instant Payment Notification (IPN) and Payment Data Transfer (PDT)
• Develop and distribute ecommerce applications with the PayPal API

Each hack consists of a task to be accomplished or a creative solution to a problem, presented in a clear, logical, and task-oriented format. PayPal Hacks provides the tools and details necessary to make PayPal more profitable, more flexible, and more convenient.

About The Author
Shannon Sofield began working with Macromedia development tools when Macromedia acquired Future Splash (this product evolved into what is now known as Macromedia Flash). Since then, he has expanded his expertise to include most of the Macromedia product line. He specializes in advanced applications for Macromedia Flash 5, Generator, and, more recently, Dreamweaver UltraDev. His company, Superfreaker Studios , is located in New York City. The company focuses mainly on creating and developing ready-made applications for Macromedia users to integrate into their own product and service offerings. Shannon's role in web development for Superfreaker Studios covers much of the development process, including conceptualization, design, programming, implementation, and evaluation. His technical title at Superfreaker is "Keeper of the Light." Shannon has worked to provide solutions for clients such as The State of New Jersey, Xerox, Rockefeller Center, Princeton University, and National Discount Brokers. He also works in association with Motion Over Time of New York, educating and training clients in the use of Macromedia products. In the rare event that the shores of the Atlantic receive ridable surf, Shannon can be found catching some waves at his local beach (sometimes in lieu of his programming duties).

Dave Nielsen is a Technical Evangelist within the PayPal Developer Network, a member of SDForum's Executive Council and the founder of the Web Services SIG of Silicon Valley. Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Cal Poly: San Luis Obispo.

Dave Burchell got his start with computers by programming the Radio Shack TRS-80 in BASIC and the Commodore 64 in 6510 assembly. Currently, Dave's favorite programming languages are Perl and XSLT. A fervent proponent of XML, Dave enjoys solving content management problems with markup and Open Source software. His other interests include American history and Hellenistic philosophy. Dave lives with his wife, Renee, and children, Max, Gus, and Samantha Grace, in Lincoln, Nebraska. His Web site is http://incolor.inebraska.com/burchell/

Reader Reviews
This is a fantastic resource who want to sell products using PayPal. O'Reilly has had an excellent run with the Hacks series and this is no exception. The book contains one hundred relevant recipes for common problems facing PayPal sellers (and to some extent buyers using PayPal.) Examples include fraud protection, hacking forms, customizing forms and pages, and setting up notifications. I recommend this book for anyone who is serious about selling products over PayPal.