RFA

In response to Siva's question of whether the Virtual Catalog can be searched from the main search module I am researching this in the Joomla! developer's network.

I am reading Joomla! developer Wiki's for tutorials on developing modules and components and searching forums for information specific to developing a search module.

SEACeM Training Event

Date : 9 February 2006
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Location : SEACeM Training Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Trainer: Sam Hui

Author: Aaron Surty

Some Useful Terms:

Static, Dynamic, Front-end, Back-end, WYSIWYG

Agenda:

1. Logging in.

2. Creating Users.

Trouble shooting. More than one computer can not be logged in at the same time using the same user.

To fix this create a new user for each computer and have each computer log in.

3. Organization of a typical website.

-hierarchical

-section, category, article

4. Creating static content.

Content -> Static Content Manager -> New

In order to get out of a page, you must click cancel or save. If you click the back button the content will be locked. (You won't be able to edit it)

To unlock all items go to : System -> Global Check-in

You can make further changes to a page by altering variables in the control bar (right)

Drawing 1: Static Content Editor Publishing Tab (Control Bar on Right)

Drawing 2: Link To Menu Tab (Control Bar on Right)

5. Global configuration:

-make sure global configuration file is unwriteable (security issue)

-it is best to leave this file untouched as it effects all back-end users

-it is also important to know that this file exists since it gives you more control over how you want to administer the site

6. Creating sections and categories:

content -> section manager -> new

just include section name, section title (same as what I did with our website)

content -> category manager -> new

make sure you pick the right section

create article

content -> content by section -> new

include title, title alias (same)

choose right section, category

Intro text:

what will show up everywhere (including front-page)

Body:

what shows up if you clicks on read more (in the front-end)

7. What happens when you accidentally created something and you want to delete it.

• In order to delete a section, one must delete all articles and categories under it.

• In order to delete a category, one must delete all articles under it.

• Trash manager concept is similar to trash bin on any computer.

12. Archive:

• The archive enables you to move content from the website, but allows a user to still search for the content!

Drawing 3: Joomla Administrator Section Manager

8. Menu manager

• click new to make new menu item.

• Section list, section blog are two common options. They control how pages will show up when first clicked from the menu (eg/ will both intro. & body text show up or just into. )

• Another way to control the way pages appear (ie/ will section title show? Page title show? ) is by click on the parameters tab in the control bar (on the right side of an editing page)

9. Creating menu items with children.

• Create two more static content items.

• click new menu item.

• Choose add static content. There is a parent choice.

• You can control the order that the child items show in the menu. menu -> main menu page (Reorder column)

10. Uploading pictures

step 1: obtain pictures

step 2: resize using irfanview

Step 3: upload picture in joomla

site -> media manager

• create directory in stories firectory

• browse and find folder on computer then click upload

Step 4: Go to page where you would like to insert picture

• click on image tab, find picture, then click insert mosimage (between intro. & body text)

• You can also use wysiwig to upload picture. (much easier!)

11. Front page control

menu -> main menu

Parameters control what show on front page (leading, links)

To remove content from front page:

content -> front page manager

click remove

13. Uploading a PDF:

• Use the media manager to find the link code (URL)

• Link to that through WYSIWYG

14. Contact component

component -> contact

• create a category first

• add information

You can add a contact to the website

add menu item - > add component or add item

15. Other components:

Newsfeeds, polls, weblinks

• Adding these components are similar

16. Modules:

Every block on the website is a module

i.e/ polls, menus, newsfeeds

You can rearrange stuff:

To move a module, first find position you would like on web page:

site -> preview -> inline with position

Next go to specific module:

modules -> site modules -> main menu

choose position

To choose the pages you want a module to show up on you can highlight specific pages (on the right)

17. Want more information???

• google 'joomla'

• you can download many manuals in PDF format, search the user forums for people that may have asked a similar question to the one you are dieing to know, post a question in the forum (after signing up on the website) and download extra modules/components to add extra functionality to your site!