AliExpress: Navigating the Global Marketplace as an Open Source Enthusiast

As an open source enthusiast and indie entrepreneur, I’m always on the lookout for unique tech parts and components. Recently, I’ve been exploring AliExpress as a source for hard-to-find items, particularly laptop batteries for older models. While the ordering process has been smooth, the shipping experience has revealed some interesting challenges. Let me share my adventures with three different sellers on this global marketplace. The Good, The Bad, and The Confusing Seller #1: The Mysterious Gift Sender The first seller was incredibly responsive, which is always a plus. However, they decided to send the item as a “gift” - an interesting choice that raised some eyebrows. They provided a tracking link to 17track.net, which, unfortunately, wasn’t the most user-friendly experience for non-Chinese speakers. ...

September 2, 2012 · 3 min · 510 words · Dipankar Sarkar

Navigating the Digital Payment Landscape: A Developer's Guide to Payment Gateways

As an open-source enthusiast and indie entrepreneur, I’ve recently delved into the world of digital payments, exploring how to streamline the process of accepting and sending money online. This research has led me to investigate various payment gateways, each with its unique strengths and potential for integration into web projects. Let’s break down some of the leading contenders in the payment gateway arena: PayPal: The Veteran Player Pros: Widely recognized, extensive global reach Cons: Higher transaction fees, especially for international transfers Developer Note: Robust API, but integration complexity can vary Google Checkout: The Tech Giant’s Offering ...

September 20, 2007 · 2 min · 347 words · Dipankar Sarkar