I'm reviewing DNN for a client that wants to create a community site that has various roles at different fees. I know DNN can do this out-of-the-box, but it has it's limitations and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a module (or how to accomplish) for the following:

• Subscription Options listed at same time as Registration (i.e. registering, then going to account to select role to pay for is too klunky a solution for my client)
• "Inheritable" subscription options, meaning if you pay for RoleB, all of RoleA is included (I know this can be accomplished by setting the proper roles on each page, but that feels like a "bad smell" and an area that could cause a maintenance problem).
• Recurring Payments, so that once a month everyone gets charged again for their particular subscription.
• Trial-to-Normal feature (i.e. the ability to offer a trial period at X-cost that immediately bumps up to normal price at the start of the next month). I know there's a trial in DNN, but wasn't sure if it auto-bumped-up or not.
• Intuitive display of user's subscription options in their page (I guess just a module added to a custom Account page).

Either how can I accomplish inside of normal DNN, or if there are any good 3rd party solutions would be great. Is there a way to make a change to the core Edit Security Roles page without breaking source compatibility? I.e. if I added "Inherit From" and allowed a dropdown of existing security roles, I have a feeling my version of DNN would now be out of synch with the proper DNN, right?

Thanks,

-shnar

I think your registration/subscription requirements as listed will require custom coding or a 3rd party module.

I think inventua.com makes a PayPal module. 

Once you change any part of the core code you are going to have to create maintenance issues.  It is not recommended.  Instead write your own custom modules.  There is nothing stopping you from changing the core code to meet your needs, but you will be stuck adding your changes into the core code with every release.  And there is no guarantee that what you change today will be compatible with tomorrow's core code.

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Shawn Duggan MCPD
BlueTango Software - Canada Web Content Management
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I saw Ventrian, as well as Catalook (which has some subscription-based products though not sure if they synch with any DNN Roles) and thought there might be possibilities, however I was also looking at what DNN provides out of the box, and it appeared as though this might do the trick. But, I guess not, and will probably have to create a custom module for it.

Have you used Ventrian's services? Do they satisfy my requirements?

-shnar