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Joomla and SMF - the basics
http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=20247		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  chadness [ Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Joomla and SMF - the basics
IMPORTANT - Development on both of the bridges has been discontinued for various reasons.  See:
http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,194373.0.html
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... 2#p1174172
http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/op ... pic,4003.0

These posts will remain here for informational purposes only.  However, please be aware that the downloads may no longer be available.

Note - please do NOT post requests for help or questions in this thread!  This is for informational purposes only.  Please start a new post with your questions.

So, you want to run both Joomla and SMF?  There are basically three ways to go about this:

First, run each stand-alone, and modify your Joomla template and SMF theme so that they look the same.  That is how this site, joomla.org does it.  Useful for situations where you want a forum, but have no need to have the forum users able to post content on your site.

Second, Orstio's bridge (currently 3.19a for SMF 1.0.5 & SMF 1.1 RC1 and below, version 1.1.5 for SMF 1.1 RC2, version 1.1.6 for SMF 1.1 RC3, version 1.1.7 for SMF 1.1.X), which is the "official" bridge from SMF.
This version of 3.19a is for SMF 1.0.x:
http://mamboforge.net/frs/download.php/ ... stable.zip

This version of 3.19a is for SMF 1.1 beta 3, beta 4 and RC1:
http://mamboforge.net/frs/download.php/ ... F1.1b3.zip

Version 1.1.5 (also known as 3.20) is for SMF 1.1 RC2 and is available here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... ic=97649.0

Version 1.1.6 is for SMF 1.1 RC3 and is available here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... c=107585.0

Version 1.1.7 is for SMF 1.1.X and is available here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... c=147626.0

Instructions for 1.1.5 - 1.1.7 (also known as 3.20) are included with the bridge in a file named "readme.html".  For more extensive instructions, as well as instructions for the 3.19a version of the bridge, you can check Kindred's combined readme file here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... ic=81152.0

Support for Orstio's version here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... .php?f=8.0

For upcoming bridge features from Orstio, check out this topic:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... ic=81191.0

And for current (actual) bugs for Orstio's version, check this one:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... ic=83667.0

Third, Cowboy' from http://www.joomlahacks.com version of the bridge:
Download and instructions  here:
http://www.joomlahacks.com/joomla/compo ... SMF_Forum/

Support here:
http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/op ... Itemid,94/

Please note, with either of these, it's very important you follow all of the install instructions!  Don't skip around in them or anything, follow them precisely.

Next post I'll update with advantages/disadvantages of each method.

[edited 10/3/06 to update info about both bridges]
Author:  chadness [ Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Comparison of bridging methods
Which method should you choose?  Here's what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of each method (this is only from my own information - please PM me if I have any incorrect info):

1) Each stand alone
As stated above, this is useful in situations where you want a forum, but do not need to have normal users able to post content.
Advantages:
  • Extremely simple
  • Extremely quick
  • Does not affect any other components/modules/packages, etc.
  • Database, install directory, and domain do not matter
Disadvantages:
  • Must make a separate login for anyone you want to be able to post content, or use any other user features of Joomla.
  • Unable to have content comments integrate in with forum.
  • Changes made to Joomla Template must be duplicated in SMF theme, and vice versa.
  • No modules available for "recent topics", etc., for your Joomla site (though this is doable).

2) Orstio's bridge:
This is the original bridge for SMF and Mambo (and now Joomla).  Most useful for those with anything "non-standard", or separate databases.

First, there is version 1.1.6 (aka, 3.20) which is made for SMF 1.1 RC3.  This version of Orstio's bridge is a dramatic improvement over 3.19a.  It uses some of SMF 1.1's new capabilities to integrate in much more smoothly.
Advantages:
  • Joomla and SMF can be in separate databases.
  • Joomla and SMF can use non-standard database table prefixes.
  • SMF can be "wrapped" in Joomla, "unwrapped" (where it is still loading through Joomla, but without any of the headers, side bars, etc.)
  • Works with Mambo 4.5.X (note there's a small fix you need to do for Mambo 4.5.X due to a Mambo bug that should be resolved with Mambo 4.6) or Joomla 1.0.X
  • No modification to any Joomla files, so should be minimally affected by any Joomla upgrades, and should not interfere with other Joomla components or modules (though other components may interfere with the bridge if they need to use a separate user table, or somehow affect the Joomla standard one).
  • Can migrate users as they log in, or synchronize all of your users either way (Joomla/Mambo to SMF, or SMF to Joomla/Mambo).  Please note!  While this "Group Synch" ability is very powerful and useful, it can easily cause you to remove admin ability from all of your users!  Use with caution!
  • Developer working closely with SMF core team - official SMF version.  In fact, Orstio has been tasked with developing bridges to several other programs as well, so he has a lot of good experience at doing this.
  • Mambot available with capabilities of posting a link to a related forum topic, with options of viewing the forum topic in the content item (with BB Code and smileys formatted), and a quick reply box.  (I'm tooting my own horn with this one).  (Edit 11/28/05 - this might work with the joomlahacks version as well)
  • One step installation.
  • No modifications to any Joomla or SMF files.
  • Integrated profile changes (changing email, password, name, etc. is automatically handled in both).
  • Integrated member admin options (like deleting and registering users).
  • The database backup tool in the SMF admin works with this bridge.
  • Config is in a database table, which will both improve site performance and provide a structure for easy addition of options and features (compared to previous version of Orstio's bridge).
  • The 1.1.3 release includes a tabbed config panel in the Joomla admin.  Registration options have been moved to the main config as a tab, and a usergroup sync tab has been added.  This uses the change_member_data hook to change the group in Joomla based on the SMF group.
  • Multiple registration methods:
    - SMF
    - Bridge
    - Joomla
    - Community Builder
    - MamboCharge
  • Additional tabs will be added for more bridge features.  This also may come with "hook" tabs so that things like the discussbot config can also be added as a tab on the main configuration.

Disadvantages:
  • Must modify your Joomla or Mambo template.  It appears you may always have to do this, unless the bridge changes some core Joomla/Mambo files, which makes it harder to upgrade.  Perhaps Joomla 1.1's system mambots will be able to get around this? - version 1.1.3 moved to using a system mambot for the info that had been a template change.
  • For current (actual) bugs, check out this topic.

2.5) If you aren't running SMF 1.1 RC3, Orstio's bridge for earlier versions is 3.19a:
Advantages:
  • Joomla and SMF can be in separate databases.
  • Joomla and SMF can use non-standard database table prefixes.
  • SMF can be "wrapped" in Joomla, "unwrapped" (where it is still loading through Joomla, but without any of the headers, side bars, etc.), or stand-alone, where they are completely different site that only share the user registration.
  • Works with Mambo 4.5.2.X or Joomla 1.0.X and SMF 1.0.X or SMF 1.1
  • No modification to any Joomla files (aside from your template), so should be minimally affected by any Joomla upgrades, and should not interfere with other Joomla components or modules (though other components may interfere with the bridge if they need to use a seperate user table, or somehow affect the Joomla standard one).
  • Can migrate users from SMF to Joomla as they log in (though it does not automatically move all of them over, or migrate users from Joomla to SMF without using a special script).
  • Changes to SMF password will change Joomla password.
  • Developer working closely with SMF core team.
  • Mambot available with capabilities of posting a link to a related forum topic, with options of viewing the forum topic in the content item (with BB Code and smileys formatted), and a quick reply box.  (I'm tooting my own horn with this one).  (Edit 11/28/05 - this might work with the joomlahacks version as well)

Disadvantages:

3) Cowboy's bridge from http://www.joomlahacks.com :
Originally based on an older version of Orstio's bridge, Cowboy soon re-wrote most of the code (originally for better SEF compatibility, but then he kept making improvements).  Good option for someone who wants a simple install, and can have both installed in the same database.
Advantages:
  • Full integration with CB through the use of CB plugin (including avatar synchronization)
  • Joomap integration through the use of Joomap plugin
  • Ability to select PMS of choice
  • Caches parameters and data for significant performance improvement
  • Much simpler install than Orstio's bridge (though Orstio's bridge 1.1.3 and above makes it just as easy)
  • Can migrate users from Joomla to SMF upon login, and from SMF to Joomla.
  • Work with Mambo 4.5.2.X or Joomla 1.0.X
  • SMF can be "wrapped" in Joomla, "unwrapped" (where it is still loading through Joomla, but without any of the headers, side bars, etc.)
  • Can use SMF, Joomla, or Community Builder registration.
  • Can synchronize Joomla and SMF users.
  • Mambot available with capabilities of posting a link to a related forum topic, with options of viewing the forum topic (unformatted for BBC code or smileys) in the content item. Cowboy has mentioned that he is working on all of the features in the other discussbot as well (edit 11/28/05 - it appears that the discussbot linked to above might work for the joomlhacks bridge as well).
Disadvantages:
  • Requires SMF 1.1 RC1 or higher (newest version of the bridge).
  • Requires Joomla and SMF in the same database.
  • Requires the use of standard Joomla (jos_) and SMF (smf_) table headers.No longer an issue with version 2.0
  • Modifies more Joomla and SMF files, leading to possible complications with other components/packages or with upgrades, and the possibility for an unclean uninstall.


Please send me a message with any changes you think I should make to this list.

(modified 10/3/06 to update info about both versions).
Author:  chadness [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  What is bridging?
Just to help clarify what it is we're talking about here.

What bridging does:
  • Makes it so that your users will register for SMF and Joomla at the same time.
  • Makes it so that your users will log in and out of SMF and Joomla at the same time.
  • Makes it so that SMF can be "wrapped" in Joomla without having to use the awkward wrapper component.  If your bridge is configured to be wrapped (this is currently the only way to do it with Cowboy's bridge), your menu item to the forum will automatically give you a "wrapped" site.
  • *possibly* Makes it so that some user changes will be done in both SMF and Joomla at the same time. (see the descriptions above).

What bridging does NOT do:
  • Modify your Joomla template and SMF theme to make everything look perfect together.  You MUST modify your own templates and themes to make your site look good.  At the very least, if you are running your forum "wrapped", you will need to remove duplicate CSS calls (such as to BODY, TR, and TD) from your CSS files.
  • Modify your SMF or Joomla registration or login - you MUST use the bridge registration and login to get a truly bridged site.  As Orstio said, "Thus, you must disable the Mambo and SMF logins and registrations in order for the bridge to work 100%.  In other words:  You no longer register in SMF.  You no longer register in Mambo.  You register in the bridge.  You no longer login in Mambo.  You no longer login in SMF.  You login in the bridge."
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