Introduction to Joomla
By Gary | February 6, 2012
Install
- Download latest version of Joomla (2.50)
- Installed locally on IIS (notice install requirements PHP & MySQL) – basically create IIS virtual directory and then run Joomla index page (default page for Joomla site)
- Install requirements for hosted version are different (Linux/Appache)
- See Joomla forum or Google for help with install issues/troubleshooting
Administrator
- Login via admin link or use <site>/administrator
- Control panel for user setup, templates, extensions etc
- Admin: site, users, menus, content, components, extensions, help
Templates
- Default template (user or admin)
- To see template positions (template map) see Template Manager/Options/Preview Module Positions (enabled)
- Login to page using <site>/index.php?tp=1, e.g. www.guggenheim.org/index.php?tp=1
- Example of a template map (http://joomlathemes.co/1-6-templates/38-technology)
Which is the map for the page:
In the default installed you have a login module and the layout looks like below:
- Boxes/positions
- Menu module
- Breadcrumb module
- Primary content
- Secondary content (each bit of content is called a module)
So, a template has design elements and positions (made up of various modules)
Article Manager
- Content/Article Manager
- Articles stored in categories
- Categories can be nested
- Don’t have too many levels of nesting (as it can make navigation difficult, too many clicks for your users, e.g. max 3-4)
- Can filter and search articles (e.g. author, title, category etc)
- Items can accidently be locked if you forget to Save/Close (e.g. use back button) this can be fixed in the Site/Maintenance/Global Check-in (select all then click check in to free locks)Menus – Add Menu, supply title and (single word, no spaces) menu type; add article to menu
Media Manager
Images etc
Modules
under Extensions menu (as are templates)
Templates
- Go to Joomla resources directory (http://resources.joomla.org/) or just Google “Joomla Templates”; remember to read any associated documentation as the install process can be different for each (e.g. Extensions Manager/Install/select & upload package file [Upload & Install])
- General template settings (e.g. logo/banner/navigation position etc) can be amended in the template options (click on the template name)
- Template map normally provided on download site (or with documentation), this can be seen by enabling the Preview Template positions (in template options) and then calling page with optional parameter/index.php?tp=1
Extensions
- Vital add on “easy blog” which includes features only normally available in a dedicated blog CMS/site (blogs are very useful for SEO – changing content, and for attracting visitors, sense of community etc)
- Extensions – http://extensions.joomla.org Joomla extensions directory, can be commercial and non-commercial (free)Always refer to the extension documentation for install instructions and instructions on how to use (you may needs to go to the developer website for this)
- Example, photogallery extension is a plug in – go to “Plug In” Manager then configure and enable the plug in (having installed it first via Extension Manager)
- “Plug ins” work inside an article – e.g. a gallery …. {gallery}sampledata/parks/animals{/gallery}
- Other extensions are modules which, are managed by Module Manager, work by being placed inside your templates (positions)
- Components are the other extension type (see Components Menu)
Best Places to Get Help
- Joomla forum (http://forum.joomla.org)
- Extensions directory (http://extensions.joomla.org)
- Resources directory (http://resources.joomla.org)
- Joomla community
- Build a Jommla Website tutorials (www.buildajoomlawebsite.com)
Finally the obligatory Mind Map, available as a PDF file
