authorize.net is a very good gateway. They also have their own forum that is quite helpful. They have numerous ways to communicate with their servers. One is called Server Integration Method (SIM), I was able to write code to make test payments in about 5 minutes. I did not to use cURL at all.
Yeah, I think they are good too. Like I said, it really comes down to if I can because of the bank and payment processor I am using. (Also if there is a penalty for not doing it all through Elavon?!)
Wow! If you did SIM in 5 minutes then we should talk more! LOL
In a way, it might be a hidden blessing to have to use Internet Secure. It will force me to learn XML which I have put off for years.
Keep an eye out for my other posts, as I definitely have some XML/PHP related questions!!
Debbie
I know that feeling… On my delayed list I have: Photoshop, CSS, Javascript, advanced mysql, c# etc etc. Oddly I’m ok with HTML which seems pointless these days considering that CSS pretty much does everything instead 
Don’t get me started on HTML5, XML, DHTML… 
EDIT: Did I forget to mention Flash and ActionScript? 
I’ve written code to process transactions through Authorize.net, PayPal, Virtual Merchant, and GoEMerchant - I used curl on all of them, and they all work pretty much exactly the same way: you assign a bunch of POST variables, use curl to do the post request, and receive a response back. It’s a little scary the first time you do it but it becomes second nature quickly (Much easier than connecting to UPS/Fedex to get shipping quotes).
I only have experience with auth.net, so I am not sure what Elavon is. You are charged some with auth.net, I forget the specifics, but there is a charge because they and other gateways pay out the ear to being able to tap/talk to the major credit card companies.
IIRC PHP’s curl is an implementation of cURL and libcurl - so you will find much more documentation there.
Well, if you are around, I’d appreciate you help and input on upcoming threads.
I feel TOTALLY overwhelmed, but what other choices do I have?! (None!)
First, I need to build a basic form and add in some error checking. Then I suppose I need to look into how to send data over using PHP and XML.
I do know that Internet Secure requires XML-formatted data, so if I go with them, I will have to learn how to do that. 
Here is hoping what you say about it not being so bad is true…
Stay tuned!
Thanks,
Debbie
While I’ve never used XML in php Debbie, I’ve used it in Delphi and there were quite a few components around for it. I can only assume the same is true for php. You might want to look at phpclasses.org and see if they have a class for you to use which makes it easy.
As for cURL, you won’t have many problems. Most of it is just copying other peoples code from what you find on google