Need suggestion for software to sell PDF e-book online

Help! I volunteered to help a friend and now I'm in trouble

[jastra]

I'm having trouble finding a software app to handle real-time downloads of an e-book, and which will handle credit card transactions.

The format has to be PDF because of all the graphics and unusual fonts in the 104-page document.

I can find a ton of compilers that will handle downloads using HTML and .exe files.

I'm concerned about security for the download also.

Does anybody know of a good app?

[rocknbil]

Adobe Acrobat is the best software to use to create the eBook. Although many programs support PDF export, to annotate, create bookmarks, or add hyperlinks - that is, click in the table of contents, go to that chapter - you will need at least Acrobat Standard.

Browsers will use helper apps to display the PDF in the browser, even if you change the file extension. You will need to feed the file to the browser with a munged content-type header to force it to download. Recently discussed here [webmasterworld.com].

Also touched on in that thread is a method of securing the download. You will need php, perl, or other server-side scripting skills to do this, as well as connect ot a payment processor - which answers your question, there are no free canned applications you can get for free to do this.

However I've programmed this exact same scenario quite a few times. :-)

[jastra]

Thanks for the info. But the custom scripting is over my head, and there's a time factor. I really need a commercially available application that can do the job. Still searching!

[ytswy]

oscommerce supports virtual products out of the box I believe. Might be a bit overkill for one product however..

[appi2]

Only thinking!

Can't you place the pdf in a zip/tar archive?
Should be a few readymade aps for zip/tar archives.
Maybe?

[abbeyvet]

Linklok will probably do what you want.

[edited by: minnapple at 11:46 pm (utc) on Feb. 2, 2007]

[Kendel]

Also check out DLGuard. I think it can handle what you are looking for, though I have not used the product.

[Matt Probert]

swreg.org handle this for us. They are a reputable, and old company.

Matt

[jastra]

Thanks for the help folks. I'm going through all your tips. This project is for a math learning skills book for learning disabled kids.