Joomla An Open Source Content Management System

Scope of Workshop Definition and background of Joomla Explanation of Joomla’s abilities and strengths, including: –Sample install –Demonstration of modules, components, plug-ins, and templates –Tour of some sample sites Discussion of Joomla’s weaknesses Questions and Answers

Joomla: Defined Joomla is an open-source Content Management System Provides the structure and framework for a website Written in PHP, uses MySQL database for storage Runs on IIS or Apache, Windows or Linux

Joomla: Past, Present, and Future Formerly known as Mambo. Currently on version Version 1.5 planned for summer 2006 Version 2.0 planned for 2007 Up-to-date roadmap can be found at dev.joomla.org

Joomla: Strengths Free! Easy to Use Extensible and Customizable Well Supported InternationalizedSecure

Free Code, database (Mysql), and web server (Apache) can all be downloaded and installed for free Some 3 rd party components are licensed (but usually inexpensive)

Easy to Use Quick setup Pleasant interface

Extensible and Customizable ComponentsModules Plug-ins (Mambots) Templates

Components The main functionality blocks for Joomla Most used components come standard with Joomla Can be written, expanded, purchased, or downloaded Samples

Modules Blocks of code that appear in pre-defined areas of the screen Can be basic HTML or PHP code that accesses a database (dynamic data) Can be written, extended, purchased, or downloaded (kinda like components)

Plug-ins (Mambots) Pieces of code that insert dynamic data into the middle of an article (content item) Often work together with a component Can be written, extended… (yeah like the others)

Templates Fully Customizable Many available online Easy to switch between templates

Where do I find these extensions? Extensions.joomla.org You can write them You can hire someone to write them

Well Supported Very active user community at: –Forum.joomla.org –Help.joomla.org Books are available (check out Amazon) Commercial (payed) support also available

Internationalised Currently available in a number of different languages Developers come from many different countries so forums exist in those languages (eg. Spanish, German, etc.)

Secure (relatively) Apache itself has security problems Joomla itself not usually exploited Large community of users to find holes Security patches are issued quickly and regularly

Joomla’s Weaknesses No version control of content Not very granular access control Restricted to only Mysql for now Lack of unlimited levels of structure

Questions and Answers Ask away!