Multiple "currencies" Support

Ok I thought I would post this as a forum post first before adding to the feature request tracker.

I know there is already requests for "charges" improvements from paid downloads to group subscriptions and I am sure some thoughts have been put into working schemas for these features however I would like to suggest that the schema be further improved to include multiple currencies (or user named values). In other words what I am thinking is  the site Admin can add currencies of his own naming to the system and then use whatever type of currency he wishes for whatever "paid" (or charge ) type feature.

For an example of what I mean think of it this way: I can add "Real Money" ie US dollars as a currency. When being charged this I am directed to a payment authorization method (ie paypal) But I can also add "Site Points" (very similar to how they currently exist - charged and Awarded as deemed) but now I can add another fake currency "ocPortal Bucks" (or another good example "Support Credits") that are similar to "Site Points" but maybe paid out (or in) on different options. You should also be able to set conversion rates. This way I can trade $50 "Real Dollars" for 1 "Support Credit" or 10 "Site Points" or 20 "ocPortal Bucks" type thing. Do you follow?

So I could set up paid downloads that can also charge multiple currencies like $10 usd or 300 site points to download if I want. Same goes for advertising or all the point store ecommerce stuff the site uses.

I am sure this would be a fairly big radical change but mind you if done like this opens up a huge array of possibilities in the future for monetizing a site or at least enticing activity and things.

Peoples thoughts?

Though I have no need for this, I think this would be useful to a number of sites.

I have been trying to convince Chris that feature tracker costs need to be stated only in support credits since the dollar or GBP valuation are true only at the instance of purchasing those support credits. Further, what I pay for those credits today may be quite different than what another person pays tomorrow. I am not even certain if the cost stated in dollars would even match the cost at the instant of purchase of those support points using Paypal. Put simply, there is often a good reason for dealing with abstracted "currencies".

I can see that this might be a real benefit for gaming sites and software developer sites where community sponsorship is encouraged.

Bob

I guess there's nothing new under the sun!

1874 newspaper illustration from Harper's Weekly, showing a man offering chickens in exchange for his yearly newspaper subscription.

But the point is not lost on me!

I see endless possibilities for utilizing something like this. It gives a little more freedom to come up with ways to promote and or reward activities etc. For instance I like the point system I think it can promote activities but it can also be a little to liberal if it is your only option. If you could make an extra currency "ocPortal Bucks" then one could say when you reach 1000 points you can be rewarded $10 ocportal bucks for which you can use to purchase a download or buy Flagrant text etc but now you can also sell those ocPortal bucks for real cash too so people who don't want to wait for points can buy the flagrant right away and stuff like that. Or points can be used for forum stuff and ocBucks used for download stuff like you upload something you earn ocbucks which you can spend to download something You form post you get points but you can't (or can admins choice) spend those on downloads.

So Chris and Robbie have been real quiet for this discussion and I was hoping to hear their thoughts. Questions for you fellows (cause I know you are lurking in the corner!    )

Have you begun any work on these areas regarding points and ecommerce yet that are listed in the tracker?

and if not can I maybe help in this area?

Could we colobarate on a design schema together and then I will maybe get started on trying to code up something for it and see what you guys think?

 I could use from you some pointers to areas I will need to focus and what you believe would be the best DB and file schema to work with.

I'm afraid I have no free time, already pretty late on some client jobs which I need to prioritise.

I may be able to stretch to answering some very pointed questions though.

But you shouldn't need me . I have confidence in you…

I think it's a great idea, and it would be an excellent evolutionary feature to a full-fledged eCommerce module.

I've been delving into an online-roleplaying-game lately, and they have a cool feature where you can pay for game items or account upgrades with multiple currencies (real-world money, and in-game materials). I think it's great - it means that those with enough cash can spend it, and those without it can work hard to earn those things too. So for a community-driven website, I think it could be great.

However, I think there's more work to be done on the underlying eCommerce infrastructure first.

Chris Graham said

I'm afraid I have no free time, already pretty late on some client jobs which I need to prioritise.

Where's the whip cracking emoticon?

 

Where's the whip cracking emoticon?

No, I'm enjoying that too much.

Chris Graham said

No, I'm enjoying that too much.

Tell them that it's not half as bad as what the paying customers are threatening to do.  

Bob