[uf-new] Receipt microformat

[Storset, Leif]

Leif wrote:
>> Our group is interested in microformats - specifically the
possibility
>> of a receipt microformat. We believe that a receipt format for online
>> stores could significantly reduce data entry for our users.

Manu Sporny wrote:
> Our approach focuses more on showing a customer a bill, not
necessarily
> a receipt (although, both are so close to one another in meaning that
we
> should understand what the definition of each are). Are suggesting
> creation of a receipt Microformat, a payment Microformat, or a bill
> Microformat?

We are interested in both bills/invoices and receipts. Indeed the two
are so similar that we should consider making them one and the same. The
only difference we can think of is that an invoice might possibly have
payment terms (such as "pay within 30 days and get a 2 % discount"),
while a receipt will likely have details of the actual payment (if only
the last four digits of the credit card).

If we go for a single format, the question is what to call it. Would
hBill or hReceipt be okay, or should we go for a generalized (possibly
over-generalized) hPurchase or hShopping-like name?

As for payment (with details such as [part of the] card number,
expiration date, and amount), I believe that should just be integrated
into the bill/receipt format, although it could conceivably a separate,
included format. Are there uses for such a separate payment format? I'd
love to see documentation for this.

> How did you gather your real-world examples?

By buying stuff. :) I have a bunch of HTML e-mail receipts gathering
dust in my e-mail archives. For some missing stores (such as Google
Checkout) I actually bought stuff to get the receipts.

My plan is to upload these samples to the Microformat Wiki as soon as we
have consensus to create a page.

> rel-payment

I think payment ideally would be part of the format, but as I understand
rel-payment it's a somewhat different affair. I gather that it defines
links such as <a href="..." rel="payment">. And the payment format
confuses me a bit, since it seems to be intended as a synonym for
rel-payment. Let me know if I have misunderstood.

Thanks for your comments. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

-Leif

-----Original Message-----
From: microformats-new-bounces at microformats.org
[mailto:microformats-new-bounces at microformats.org] On Behalf Of Manu
Sporny
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 10:52 AM
To: For discussion of new microformats.
Subject: Re: [uf-new] Receipt microformat

Storset, Leif wrote:
> Our group is interested in microformats - specifically the possibility
> of a receipt microformat. We believe that a receipt format for online
> stores could significantly reduce data entry for our users.

Our company (Digital Bazaar) has been interested in creating some sort
of "bill" or "receipt" microformat for some time. We have been having
internal discussions in doing so... if one were to surface, we would be
an early adopter.

It would be great for your group to lead the discussion as you must have
access to a wealth of knowledge about what can/should go into a
receipt/bill Microformat.

Our approach focuses more on showing a customer a bill, not necessarily
a receipt (although, both are so close to one another in meaning that we
should understand what the definition of each are). Are suggesting
creation of a receipt Microformat, a payment Microformat, or a bill
Microformat?

The next step of the process would be to start gathering examples of
bills and receipts online. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to go about
this as it's not as simple as pointing somebody to a URL. A purchase has
to occur to view a receipt of that purchase. How did you gather your
real-world examples?

> We are looking forward to your input and participation. Has the
problem
> been solved before? Are there other useful microformats already in
> existence that could be included in a receipt format?

The only ones that come to mind are the currency, payment, and
rel-payment Microformats:

http://microformats.org/wiki/currency
http://microformats.org/wiki/payment
http://microformats.org/wiki/rel-payment

hAudio could use an hBill or hReceipt Microformat for the PRICE
attribute:

http://microformats.org/wiki/audio-info-proposal#Price

hProduct and hReview are likely candidates as well.

I think an exploratory discussion should be started on the wiki for
bill/receipt... however, it's unclear as to what we're talking about. A
bill or a receipt? Both? Could you clarify, Leif?

-- manu

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