The Official Joomla! Book
2nd Edition
Published on 11. January 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
512 pages
978-0-321-82154-6 (ISBN)
Description
"Joomla! is about allowing ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and that is exactly what the authors of this book do for its readers. . . . I present this book for your pleasure. It begins with how we began and takes you on a journey through which you can be empowered to reach the world." -From the Foreword to the First Edition by Andrew Eddie, cofounder, Joomla!
The Official Joomla! (R) Book, Second Edition, is the authoritative and comprehensive Joomla! reference for every administrator, developer, designer, and content manager. Distilling the unsurpassed experience of two long-time Joomla! contributors, it teaches exactly what you need to know, through practical example sites and crystal-clear explanations.
If you're new to Joomla!, you'll learn how to quickly create usable, effective sites. If you're an experienced Joomla! user, you'll learn how to make your sites more flexible, feature-rich, visually attractive, and useful, taking full advantage of the features in Joomla! 3 and Joomla! 2.5. And whether new or experienced, you'll learn how Joomla! really works, so you can fully leverage its power whenever you're ready. You'll also get to know the Joomla! community by hearing from seventeen community members through in-depth interviews, and you'll learn how to participate in the Joomla! project in ways that make sense for you.
The Official Joomla! (R) Book, Second Edition, covers everything from installation to usability, templates to extensions. The authors explain each key concept conversationally, helping you learn to help yourself and confidently gain control over Joomla! and the sites you build with it. They also present chapter-length application case studies for business, non-profits, and education. You will learn how to
Plan sites effectively before you start building them
Create production sites quickly while avoiding common mistakes
Install and configure Joomla! for maximum efficiency
Create and edit content for your Joomla! site
Customize and work with Joomla! templates and create a basic template
Work with extensions: components, modules, plugins, and languages
Efficiently administer Joomla! sites
Maintain Joomla! sites, including making back ups and managing upgrades and migrations between versions
Participate in the Joomla! community as a user and contributor
The Official Joomla! (R) Book, Second Edition, is the authoritative and comprehensive Joomla! reference for every administrator, developer, designer, and content manager. Distilling the unsurpassed experience of two long-time Joomla! contributors, it teaches exactly what you need to know, through practical example sites and crystal-clear explanations.
If you're new to Joomla!, you'll learn how to quickly create usable, effective sites. If you're an experienced Joomla! user, you'll learn how to make your sites more flexible, feature-rich, visually attractive, and useful, taking full advantage of the features in Joomla! 3 and Joomla! 2.5. And whether new or experienced, you'll learn how Joomla! really works, so you can fully leverage its power whenever you're ready. You'll also get to know the Joomla! community by hearing from seventeen community members through in-depth interviews, and you'll learn how to participate in the Joomla! project in ways that make sense for you.
The Official Joomla! (R) Book, Second Edition, covers everything from installation to usability, templates to extensions. The authors explain each key concept conversationally, helping you learn to help yourself and confidently gain control over Joomla! and the sites you build with it. They also present chapter-length application case studies for business, non-profits, and education. You will learn how to
Plan sites effectively before you start building them
Create production sites quickly while avoiding common mistakes
Install and configure Joomla! for maximum efficiency
Create and edit content for your Joomla! site
Customize and work with Joomla! templates and create a basic template
Work with extensions: components, modules, plugins, and languages
Efficiently administer Joomla! sites
Maintain Joomla! sites, including making back ups and managing upgrades and migrations between versions
Participate in the Joomla! community as a user and contributor
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Jennifer Marriott | Elin Waring
Official Joomla! Book, The
E-Book
12/2018
2nd Edition
Addison Wesley
€24.49
Available for download
Jennifer Marriott | Elin Waring
Official Joomla! Book, The
E-Book
12/2012
2nd Edition
Addison Wesley
€41.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Jennifer Marriott | Elin Waring
The Official Joomla! Book
Book
01/2011
Addison Wesley
€35.95
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Jennifer Marriott is the director of global support for CloudAccess.net, the official hosting provider for demo.joomla.org , as well as being the host and support system for some of the largest Joomla!-based sites in the world. Jennifer joined the Joomla! community during the beginning days in 2005 and began volunteering as a forum moderator shortly after. Over the years she has taken on various other roles in the community. In addition to her work in all things technology related, she is a professional musician who has released three CDs.
Elin Waring, a longtime Joomla! user, served as president of Open Source Matters, the nonprofit organization that supports the Joomla! Project. An active member of the Joomla! Bug Squad, she is also professor of sociology at Lehman College.
Elin Waring, a longtime Joomla! user, served as president of Open Source Matters, the nonprofit organization that supports the Joomla! Project. An active member of the Joomla! Bug Squad, she is also professor of sociology at Lehman College.
Content
Foreword to the Second Edition xvii Foreword to the First Edition xxi
Preface xxiii
Acknowledgments xxvii
About the Authors xxix
Chapter 1: All about Joomla! 1
A Brief History of Joomla! 1
Joomla! the Content Management System 4
Joomla! the Platform 5
The Joomlasphere 7
Conclusion 20
Chapter 2: What Now and Where Do I Begin?: Before You Install Joomla! 23
Identifying Your Purpose 23
Domain Names: Registering Your Domain Name 24
Trademarks, Licensing, Copyright, and Legalities 26
The Basics of Branding 30
Identifying Your Target Audience: The Who, What, Where, and Why 36
Wireframes, Storyboarding, and Visualization 41
Creating Great Content 43
Mission Critical: Why Choosing a Good Host Matters 44
Conclusion 47
Chapter 3: Installing Joomla! 49
Choosing a Joomla! Version and Installation Options 49
Downloading Joomla! 51
Creating a Database 52
Using the File Manager to Upload Joomla! 56
Joomla! Web Installation 59
Setting Up a Test Site on demo.joomla.org 71
Conclusion 72
Chapter 4: Configuring Joomla! 75
Basic Configuration Steps for Your New Site 75
Basic Global Configuration Options 79
Configuration Settings in Specific Components 92
Other Site Defaults 98
Conclusion 100
Chapter 5: Working with and Creating Content for Your Joomla! Site 101
Defining Content 101
Managing Content 106
Working with the Media Manager and Inserting Images 110
Managing Categories 112
Menus and Menu Items 114
Working with Parameters and Options 121
Conclusion 128
Chapter 6: The Basics of Joomla! Extensions: Components, Modules, Plugins, and Languages 129
Core Joomla! Extensions 129
Adding Extensions 162
Conclusion 168
Chapter 7: Working with Joomla! Templates: The Basics 169
The Basics of Joomla! Templates 169
Conclusion 190
Chapter 8: Creating Your Own Simple Joomla! Template 191
Basic Template Structure 191
Conclusion 211
Chapter 9: Marketing and Caring for Your Joomla! Web Site 213
First Impressions Count: What Your Home Page Says about You 213
Search Engines, SEO, Getting Listed, and Staying There 216
Using Navigation 220
Engaging Your Visitors and Keeping Your Content Fresh 227
Marketing Basics and Social Networking 228
Conclusion 229
Chapter 10: Keeping Your Site Up-to-Date 231
Updating Your Site 231
Updating Extensions 235
Migrating to a New Major Version 237
Conclusion 245
Chapter 11: Practical Application: Joomla! for Business 247
Basic Planning of Business Sites 247
Brochure Sites 248
Extending Joomla!: Some Extensions to Consider for Business 248
E-commerce Web Sites 250
Other Business Site Extensions 252
Joomla! Business Tools 253
Business Web Site Demo 253
Conclusion 281
Chapter 12: Practical Application: Joomla! for NGOs/NPOs, Groups, Clubs, and Organizations 283
Basic Planning of Group Sites 283
Leveraging Your Site to Raise Awareness and Gain
Momentum 284
Nonprofit Web Site Demo 292
Conclusion 318
Chapter 13: Practical Application: Joomla! for Education 319
Basic Planning of Educational Sites 319
School Web Site Demo 328
Conclusion 355
Chapter 14: Interviews with Experts 357
Andrew Eddie, Software Engineer at eBay Australia and Platform Maintainer-The Joomla! Story 357
Mark Dexter, Production Leadership Team-The Joomla! Bug Squad and Joomla! Development 361
Sam Moffatt, Joomla! Platform Maintainer, Production Leadership Team-Participating in Joomla! Development 365
Marijke Stuivenberg, Translation Coordinator, Open Source Matters Board-Internationalization 369
Ian MacLennan, Platform Maintainer-Securing Your Site 373
Ron Severdia, Production Leadership Team and Creative Director at Kontent Design-Building a Great Site 377
Elin Waring, Joomla! Contributor-Trademark and Licensing 380
Wendy Robinson, Rochen Ltd.-Creating Your Brand 385
Brad Baker, Rochen Ltd.- Joomla! Hosting 388
Chris Davenport, Joomla! Production Leadership Team-Finding and Editing Templates 389
Angie Radke, Principal, Der Auftritt; Accessibility Expert; and Designer of the Beez Templates 393
Andrea Tarr, Production Leadership Team 396
Vic Drover, Owner of Anything Digital-Extending Joomla! 399
Gary Brooks, CEO of CloudAccess.net-Benefits of Joomla! for Business 402
Ryan Ozimek, Former President of Open Source Matters, and CEO and Founder of PICnet, Inc.-Joomla! in the NPO/NGO Sector 407
Jennifer Marriott, Joomla! Contributor-Sites for Education 411
Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos, Developer, Akeeba Backup and Other Extensions 415
Louis Landry, Lead Architect of the Joomla! Platform 418
Appendix A: Common Problems and Solutions 423
Lost Administrator Password 423
File Permissions and Ownership Problems 427
Editor Background Has a Color or Looks Strange 429
Template Disappears When Turning SEF URLs On 430
Site Displays Differently or Incorrectly in a Certain Browser 430
Problem Assets Table 430
Problems Updating 431
Appendix B: Resources 433
Basic Joomla! Resources 433
Tools for Web Site Creators and Site Developers 435
Search Engines 436
Learn HTML and CSS Skills 436
Improve the Design of Your Site 437
Web Standards, Usability, and Accessibility 439
Underlying Software of Joomla! 440
Other Resources for Business 441
Other Resources for Nonprofits and Organizations 442
Other Resources for Schools and Education 443
Glossary 445
Index 455
Preface xxiii
Acknowledgments xxvii
About the Authors xxix
Chapter 1: All about Joomla! 1
A Brief History of Joomla! 1
Joomla! the Content Management System 4
Joomla! the Platform 5
The Joomlasphere 7
Conclusion 20
Chapter 2: What Now and Where Do I Begin?: Before You Install Joomla! 23
Identifying Your Purpose 23
Domain Names: Registering Your Domain Name 24
Trademarks, Licensing, Copyright, and Legalities 26
The Basics of Branding 30
Identifying Your Target Audience: The Who, What, Where, and Why 36
Wireframes, Storyboarding, and Visualization 41
Creating Great Content 43
Mission Critical: Why Choosing a Good Host Matters 44
Conclusion 47
Chapter 3: Installing Joomla! 49
Choosing a Joomla! Version and Installation Options 49
Downloading Joomla! 51
Creating a Database 52
Using the File Manager to Upload Joomla! 56
Joomla! Web Installation 59
Setting Up a Test Site on demo.joomla.org 71
Conclusion 72
Chapter 4: Configuring Joomla! 75
Basic Configuration Steps for Your New Site 75
Basic Global Configuration Options 79
Configuration Settings in Specific Components 92
Other Site Defaults 98
Conclusion 100
Chapter 5: Working with and Creating Content for Your Joomla! Site 101
Defining Content 101
Managing Content 106
Working with the Media Manager and Inserting Images 110
Managing Categories 112
Menus and Menu Items 114
Working with Parameters and Options 121
Conclusion 128
Chapter 6: The Basics of Joomla! Extensions: Components, Modules, Plugins, and Languages 129
Core Joomla! Extensions 129
Adding Extensions 162
Conclusion 168
Chapter 7: Working with Joomla! Templates: The Basics 169
The Basics of Joomla! Templates 169
Conclusion 190
Chapter 8: Creating Your Own Simple Joomla! Template 191
Basic Template Structure 191
Conclusion 211
Chapter 9: Marketing and Caring for Your Joomla! Web Site 213
First Impressions Count: What Your Home Page Says about You 213
Search Engines, SEO, Getting Listed, and Staying There 216
Using Navigation 220
Engaging Your Visitors and Keeping Your Content Fresh 227
Marketing Basics and Social Networking 228
Conclusion 229
Chapter 10: Keeping Your Site Up-to-Date 231
Updating Your Site 231
Updating Extensions 235
Migrating to a New Major Version 237
Conclusion 245
Chapter 11: Practical Application: Joomla! for Business 247
Basic Planning of Business Sites 247
Brochure Sites 248
Extending Joomla!: Some Extensions to Consider for Business 248
E-commerce Web Sites 250
Other Business Site Extensions 252
Joomla! Business Tools 253
Business Web Site Demo 253
Conclusion 281
Chapter 12: Practical Application: Joomla! for NGOs/NPOs, Groups, Clubs, and Organizations 283
Basic Planning of Group Sites 283
Leveraging Your Site to Raise Awareness and Gain
Momentum 284
Nonprofit Web Site Demo 292
Conclusion 318
Chapter 13: Practical Application: Joomla! for Education 319
Basic Planning of Educational Sites 319
School Web Site Demo 328
Conclusion 355
Chapter 14: Interviews with Experts 357
Andrew Eddie, Software Engineer at eBay Australia and Platform Maintainer-The Joomla! Story 357
Mark Dexter, Production Leadership Team-The Joomla! Bug Squad and Joomla! Development 361
Sam Moffatt, Joomla! Platform Maintainer, Production Leadership Team-Participating in Joomla! Development 365
Marijke Stuivenberg, Translation Coordinator, Open Source Matters Board-Internationalization 369
Ian MacLennan, Platform Maintainer-Securing Your Site 373
Ron Severdia, Production Leadership Team and Creative Director at Kontent Design-Building a Great Site 377
Elin Waring, Joomla! Contributor-Trademark and Licensing 380
Wendy Robinson, Rochen Ltd.-Creating Your Brand 385
Brad Baker, Rochen Ltd.- Joomla! Hosting 388
Chris Davenport, Joomla! Production Leadership Team-Finding and Editing Templates 389
Angie Radke, Principal, Der Auftritt; Accessibility Expert; and Designer of the Beez Templates 393
Andrea Tarr, Production Leadership Team 396
Vic Drover, Owner of Anything Digital-Extending Joomla! 399
Gary Brooks, CEO of CloudAccess.net-Benefits of Joomla! for Business 402
Ryan Ozimek, Former President of Open Source Matters, and CEO and Founder of PICnet, Inc.-Joomla! in the NPO/NGO Sector 407
Jennifer Marriott, Joomla! Contributor-Sites for Education 411
Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos, Developer, Akeeba Backup and Other Extensions 415
Louis Landry, Lead Architect of the Joomla! Platform 418
Appendix A: Common Problems and Solutions 423
Lost Administrator Password 423
File Permissions and Ownership Problems 427
Editor Background Has a Color or Looks Strange 429
Template Disappears When Turning SEF URLs On 430
Site Displays Differently or Incorrectly in a Certain Browser 430
Problem Assets Table 430
Problems Updating 431
Appendix B: Resources 433
Basic Joomla! Resources 433
Tools for Web Site Creators and Site Developers 435
Search Engines 436
Learn HTML and CSS Skills 436
Improve the Design of Your Site 437
Web Standards, Usability, and Accessibility 439
Underlying Software of Joomla! 440
Other Resources for Business 441
Other Resources for Nonprofits and Organizations 442
Other Resources for Schools and Education 443
Glossary 445
Index 455