Saturday, August 29, 2020
Recently, I acquired an EMV Chip & Swipe Card Reader for mobile business payment processing. Allow me to back up for just a moment, and explain, I have had a PayPal business account since 2005 or so, which enabled easy sign up with PayPal Here, the mobile payment processing service.
I use PayPal for most business payment processing tasks, however there are several other great options, including (list focused on mobile payment processing services):
Most major banks also offer merchant services for business banking customers, however I do not have enough in the way of monthly sales revenue to justify this more costly option. At this time, PayPal is a more cost effective solution for my business payment processing needs.
To be able to to accept credit cards at the Point of Sale (POS), you will need new equipment. I have compiled a list, I believe to be a good starting point for research into this area.
| Payment Processing Equipment | ios | android | all-in-one solution | ApplePay | GooglePay | PayPal |
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  FD150 EMV Secure Credit Card Terminal with WiFi |
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  Clover Go Contactless Reader |
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  PayPal Chip and Swipe Reader Black |
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  PayPal Chip and Tap Reader Black |
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  PayPal Chip Card Reader |
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  Square Terminal |
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  Bluetooth Thermal Receipt LOSRECAL Portable Printer |
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  Star Micronics SM-T300i Ultra-Rugged Portable Bluetooth Receipt Printer |
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Interesting articles about card readers and related card processing services:
Before purchasing credit card processing equipment, research the payment processing service, i.e., PayPal, Clover, etc., you are planning to use to insure your payment processing requirements qualify for the type of service being offered. For example, PayPal requires applicants to either have a PayPal business or premium account to activate the PayPal Here mobile payment processing service.
Also, before signing up with a new payment processing service, understand the fee structures. While researching for this post, I found one of the biggest complaints from merchants with established Point of Sale (POS) payment processing solutions, was the hidden costs.
Printing customer receipts at the point of sale (mobile) is also something that should be researched thoroughly before purchasing equipment. The PayPal Here service offers either a text or email receipt, in the way of other options.
In the table above, I list a thermal printer for Android users of PayPal Here, however my own experience has been "enlightening" to say the least. No, I did not purchase the printer I listed. I will discuss this further in a later post.
I am a small business owner and have to justify my business expenditures. To date, my total cost to be able to accept most forms of payment while on the go, is under $100 USD. Research into the purchase of POS services and equipment is important.
Now, I am thinking about a yard sale. Even looked into tax related issues. What else? Photography, WiredPages Business Directory listings, on-site software consulting fees...
For legal reasons, I provide demonstration of my software tools (core business), on my sites, e.g. WiredPages, however I have to be more selective where direct client support is involved. Liability is to easy to assign in the online services game.
At this time, I rely more on the advertising associated with my sites. I need a more stable legal solution.
That said, I am coming up with other ways to use my new mobile payment processing capabilities. Can your business justify the cost? Here is another solution- PayPal.me.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Earlier this month, I had an issue with the Instagram interface I developed for demonstration purposes. You may recall, in June [2020], I migrated the original interface from the Instagram API platform to the Facebook Instagram API environment.
The recent issue involved token authorization and expiration dates, which I incorrectly assumed worked in the same manner as the original Instagram API. I found the correct developer documentation article via a Facebook Developer Group and was able to correct the problem in short order.
After looking into this issue, I decided to create another FB Instagram API interface (Java Servlet) using another of my Instagram accounts, HanoverBusinesses.
I created the HanoverBusinesses Instagram account to use with the HanoverBusinesses Facebook page app.
The app shown on the FB page is offered by Woobox. At this time, I cannot afford to host a Java Servlet (app) that is accessed by a Facebook page, however I do offer demonstration tools that are accessed exclusively by pages on my sites.
Also note, the Instagram Widget in the sidebar of this blog is another external app created by LightWidget.
My Instagram interfaces (shown above and this link) are only meant for demonstration of the type of custom interfaces I develop. Do I offer more options? Yes, however Java Servlet hosting for use with a popular blog- might be costly.
Legal issues prevent offering, a similar interface using PHP or other open source development resources.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Last Sunday, with the remaining Gala apples, I made an apple upside cake. The cake turned out well, so I thought I would share the recipe.
First allow me to explain, I found this recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake on Food.com in December 2015.
The thing I noticed about the recipe, the way it incorporated the flour mixture in three parts with the milk in two parts, starting with the flour. From past experience, I have had a lot of success with cakes when I combine the milk and flour ingredients in this manner.
After I made the Pineapple Upside Down Cake, using slightly different ingredients (I like unsalted butter for baking- I keep this item on-hand frozen, until I need to use it), I decided I liked the way the cake turned out and the amount of batter was perfect for the smaller two layer cakes I prefer to make today.
Over the years, I have tweaked the base cake batter recipe until I am pretty pleased with the results. Below, the changes I made to the original recipe to get the basic cake batter recipe I use today.
2 tablespoons margarinePineapple Upside Down Cake Ingredient9 pineapple ringsPineapple Upside Down Cake Ingredient9 maraschino cherriesPineapple Upside Down Cake Ingredient3/4 cup brown sugarPineapple Upside Down Cake Ingredient- 1/2 cup soft
margarineunsalted butter - 3/4 cup white sugar (added 2 tablespoons of sugar to the 3/4 cup)
21.5 eggs, beaten (see note 4 below)- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
21¼ teaspoons baking powder- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (new ingredient)
1/21/4 teaspoon salt2/3 cup milk3/4 cup buttermilk- 2 teaspoons of club soda (some like adding this to help the cake rise, mix in the buttermilk)
Follow the instructions for the original recipe to mix the ingredients for the batter. One note, the first step, when mixing the butter and sugar- I cream the unsalted butter for about two minutes then slowly add the sugar. I then let the mixer cream the two ingredients (butter & sugar) together for at least 3 minutes.
The other note, I bake the two 7" round cake layers (shown above) in a 350 degree oven for about 26 minutes.
For the Apple Upside Down Cake I made last Sunday, I only used about 2/3 of the batter in one 7" cake pan. I sautéed the Gala apples for a couple of minutes adding sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter and cornstarch then drained almost all of the juice off before layering the apples in the bottom of the sprayed cake pan. I then spooned the cake batter over the apples and baked for about 28 minutes.
Note 3, I like Baker's Joy baking spray to insure my cakes do not stick to the pans.
Note 4, the cake is much better if allowed to sit for at least 4 hours before cutting. Cutting the cake before that, in my opinion, leaves a more eggy aftertaste, the reason- I reduced the amount of beaten eggs in the recipe.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Yesterday, I made an apple pie with Gala apples.
The secret to great apple pie using fresh apples? Allow thick apple slices to sauté in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter and cornstarch to release most of the juices from the apples. You only want to release the apple juices so do not sauté on the stove top for too long. Use any highly rated apple pie recipe as a guide for the ingredient amounts and then add to suit your own taste buds. I like cinnamon and sugar.
Spoon only the apple slices into the crust lined baking dish. Bring the remaining apple juice concoction to a boil. Let it thicken, and then pour over the apples in the baking dish. Top with the upper crust and bake.
I love Apple Pie Alà Mode.
Monday, August 10, 2020
Recently, I have been working on a post about my research into EMV Card Readers. Hopefully, I will have the post up shortly, however due to shipping issues-- and perhaps the current health crisis the post is late because equipment I ordered is late.
Sometimes, I notice the interference with my business and other issues, and feel at this point, these issues should have ended long ago.
The FBI has the specifics of my case, and I am told working the issues. In the mean time, I have been putting feelers out for a project I am working Hanover-Magazine.com.
I have also been getting messages from DOD contracting types who are interested in working with me. FBI-- these contracting agencies and direct employers are interested and I am not getting more feedback from you? Contracting folks need clearances... and they want to use me again? FBI, what are you looking for... I want to understand why I am in the same situation... yet contracting people want to hear from me? (I can prove this with screengrabs.)
I said no, and the Department of Justice and FBI owe me... not DOD contractors.... Been there, done that.
I know you have some idea of the problems I am facing, interference with my business, etc. I want it over. I said no.
Frustration after frustration... when all I do is work. I said no.
Have you heard of my case? Most local folks know of me. Why do you suppose these local contractors have no idea about my case?
In May 2012, I was told the US government owed me between 1.5 and 2 billion dollars. I negotiated the settlement for a lot less. Now government contractors want to hire me? When do I get to retire?
Sunday, August 02, 2020
I made my favorite buttermilk pancakes for breakfast this morning. The recipe, one I mentioned here. Note, rather than cooking spray, I use vegetable oil in the pan.
Actually, this is the third or fourth time I have made these pancakes since mid July. Did not want to waste the buttermilk and this "from scratch" recipe, is very easy. Briefly, the recipe calls for:
- Cup of all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- Teaspoon of baking powder
- Half teaspoon of baking soda
- Quarter teaspoon of salt
- Cup of buttermilk
- Lightly stirred egg
- Teaspoon of vegetable oil
Mix in a bowl with at least a 2 cup capacity, the first 5 ingredients. In a separate bowl (I use liquid measuring cups), mix the buttermilk, oil and egg. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir well. Pour on a hot pan with oil and wait until you see the bubbles. If you like buttermilk pancakes you will love these.
Did you know you can make buttermilk with plain milk and vinegar? See this post.
