Question on Joomla

[Eriku]

Hi, i has successfully installed the Joomla and changed the template( http://www.siteground.com/template-prev ... nd-j15-154 )

And the template does not have a Latest News Module and Popular Module. So is it possible for me to create them out? And changed them into Active thread and New Thread (threads from my forums ) ?

I am sorry if i asked stupid question as i am a very new in Joomla (just started to play Joomla today ) , therefore ; i still not really understand how Joomla work.

[jmuehleisen]

First of all, welcome to Joomla!

What you want to do is indeed very possible. Let's start with a few Joomla concepts, though.

Any Joomla template has certain "positions" that are defined by the template designer. These "positions" are around the template main body area, and you can install modules into those template positions.

To find out what positions your template has, you can refer to the documentation that came with the template (or on the designer's website), or you can do this:

http://mydomain.com/?tp=1

That ?tp=1 tells Joomla to show the template positions that are available.

Once you identify the positions that you have available (each one has a name), you then begin assigning modules to those positions in the module manager (Extensions -> Module Manager).

Now, Joomla comes with a bunch of built-in modules, but there are a LOT of additional modules that can do different things.

So, for example, the "Latest News" and the "Popular" modules are part of the standard Joomla package.

But modules that show the latest threads from a forum are not part of the Joomla "core" package.

But, most forum extensions do have modules like this available. Many times a forum (if it is designed for Joomla) will automatically install these modules for you (but you need to "configure" them). Other times you need to go to the Joomla Extensions Directory and look for one that will work for you.

In fact, as you develop your Joomla skill and seek to add more functionality to your site, the Joomla Extensions Directory (generally called "JED" around here) will be your very good friend.

You can find it here:

http://extensions.joomla.org

And, since you are new to Joomla, let me suggest a few other links that will be very helpful to you:

http://docs.joomla.org
http://docs.joomla.org/Beginners

Have fun!

[Eriku]

Thank you very much for such an informative replied.

However, after browse into " ?tp=1 " , i did saw those position names appeared , however there's no position name appeared on the body or what suppose the Latest News And Popular Module shall be. Which mean the template got no Latest News and Popular Module positions ?

[jmuehleisen]

Which mean the template got no Latest News and Popular Module positions ?

The position names will not be things like "Latest News" or "Popular" ... it will be things like "user1, user2, bottom1, etc.

The reason? Because you can put any module you want into these positions. It might be a "Latest News" module, or a "Latest Forum Posts" or "My Brother's New Car" or "My latest Tweets."

So the question is, did you see a position that is where you want these other modules to appear (whatever you decide to use) ?

(The free templates from SiteGround are very nice, but often do not have as many "positions" defined as you might like).

[Eriku]

I didn't saw any positions such as user1, user 2 and so on around that area.

http://animeinfo.co.cc/?tp=1

Which mean i have to change a new theme that has such position?

[jmuehleisen]

It appears that this template has just 4 positions defined: left sidebar, right sidebar, newsflash, and user4.

Where did you want these modules to go? It is possible to add module positions to templates. How easy it is to do that depends somewhat on the template itself. Generally, Site Ground templates are not that difficult to modify.

But tell me where you want the modules to go. You could always put them in either the left or right sidebar ... that generally works quite well.

[Eriku]

I myself not really understand your question regarding to where i want the modules to go. Erm, i just wanna put some module about the New Threads and Active threads , right below the newsflash header.

Such as this template :JS Lunar Eclipse ( http://www.google.com.my/imglanding?q=J ... =500&h=271 )

Where the place of Latest News and Popular will be where i wanna put the New Threads and Active Threads.

I am sorry for troubling you >.<

[jmuehleisen]

OK. It's actually not too difficult to add 2 module positions to that template in the place that you want.

It would require some editing of your template's index.php file, though.

Here are the instructions on how to do this: http://docs.joomla.org/How_do_you_add_a ... osition%3F

But, it is a bit tricky for a new Joomla user. If you'd like some help, attach the template .zip file to a message and I'll be glad to take a look at it for you.

[jmuehleisen]

Nevermind posting the template. I found it and downloaded it.

I'll add the template positions for you and then re-upload it.

[jmuehleisen]

I've added 2 template positions to your template with some simple Joomla code.

They are called "user2" and "user3" and are below the "newsflash" position and above the main article body.

First of all, add the following code to your template's index.php file, adding this code right under the line that says:

Code: Select all

<jdoc:include type="message" />

The code to add immediately below that is:

Code: Select all

<table>
<tr>
  <td width="250px">
    <div class="user2">
      <jdoc:include type="modules" style="xhtml" name="user2" />
    </div>  
  </td>
  <td>
    <div class="user3">
       <jdoc:include type="modules" style="xhtml" name="user3" />
    </div>		
  </td>
</tr>
</table>

And, in the template's css file, you need to make one change to the following code at line 776:

Currently it says:

Code: Select all

div.module_menu div div,div.module div div,div.module_text div div {
	text-align: center;
	padding:0 0 6px;
	background: transparent url(../images/box_b.png) no-repeat bottom left;
}

Change the "text-align" from "center" to "left" like this:

Code: Select all

div.module_menu div div,div.module div div,div.module_text div div {
	text-align: left;
	padding:0 0 6px;
	background: transparent url(../images/box_b.png) no-repeat bottom left;
}

That should get you closer to what you want.

Let us know if you run into any problems. We'll be glad to help.

[Eriku]

I see. I believe what you said was under the template manager and edit the manager then edit the html where i change in the html right?

Then how to access template's css file? ^^

By the way, everytime we install a new Joomla, there will be a standard Joomla page that with full of information about Joomla in our website right? So which mean if we want to change it to our ways such as show our information and so on, we have to manually modify the buttons and so on 1 by 1 right?

Sorry for the stupid question >.<

[jmuehleisen]

Sorry for the stupid question

First of all, these are not stupid questions. They are very typical questions that new Joomla users have.

So, no problem.

I believe what you said was under the template manager and edit the manager then edit the html where i change in the html right?

That is correct.

Then how to access template's css file? ^^

The button to edit the CSS is right next to the button to edit the HTML.

ss-template-manager-1.gif

everytime we install a new Joomla, there will be a standard Joomla page that with full of information about Joomla in our website right?

When you are installing Joomla, you have an option to "install sample data" or not.

If you do install the sample data, you will get all of that information, yes.

But, if you do not install the sample data, you will get an empty website with just one menu ("mainmenu") with one menu link ("home") and that's it.

The site is then ready for you to build step by step.

So, it depends on which option you choose during the installation.

ss-template-manager-1.gif

[Eriku]

I see. Thank you very much ^^

I eventually change my site template to another 1 to test it out ^^

However, the new template got a logo section and right beside the logo section was what i believe was a Banner ( www.animeinfo.co.cc )

And i came to know that in order to change the logo, i have to edit the CSS and then template.css then find the section labeled " div#logo " and replace the image name with the image name ( name of the logo i want ) . However , if i want the whole top which are Logo and the banner change to only banner. ( just like this , http://community.joomla.org/showcase/si ... -tube.html where the whole top was the banner of the site that consist of anime picture )

So my question is , how to just like that site that they put an anime picture banner as their banner without any logo?

[jmuehleisen]

Well, the same idea would be used on this template.

You would have to make some changes to the template (to remove the "Flash" animation) and then change the css styling for the "logo" so the image would stretch across the top completely.

So, for example, the current code for the logo style is this (line 124):

Code: Select all

#logo, img#logo {
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    border: 0 none;
    left: 10px;
    position: absolute;
    top: 10px;
    z-index: 9;

You would need to change it to something like this (so your wide image would fit right up to the top and left side):

Code: Select all

#logo, img#logo {
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    border: 0 none;
    left: 0px;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0px;
    z-index: 9;

[Eriku]

Erm, change the pixel to 0? I see

How to remove flash animation? Does i need to change the code in order to remove the flash animation? If i wanna insert my banner picture in it, then how should i insert? Which code shall i change?

[jmuehleisen]

How to remove flash animation? Does i need to change the code in order to remove the flash animation?

Well, it appears that the flash animation code is in the template's index.php file.

So you would go to your template manager and edit the html for the template.

You will find some code there that looks like this:

Code: Select all

<!-- BEGIN: flashheader -->
<div id="ol-flashheader">

<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="/templates/mx_joofree2/images/header.swf" width="700" height="240">
<param name="wmode" value="transparent" />
<param name="movie" value="/templates/mx_joofree2/images/header.swf" />
</object>
</div>
<!-- END: flashheader -->

Just remove that code.

If i wanna insert my banner picture in it, then how should i insert? Which code shall i change?

You would upload your banner picture to the "images" folder in the mx_joofree2 folder.

Since the template is looking for a file named logo.png, I would suggest that you save your banner picture as a png file and simply name it "logo.png."

If your banner is not currently a png file, you can either open it in an image editor and resave it as a png, or change the name of the logo file in the template's index.php file.

It should be 940 pixels wide by 240 pixels tall to fill the space there.

[Eriku]

I am not really sure on how to upload the banner picture to the "images" folder

by the way, mind to tell me how you know that it should be 940 pixel wide and 240 pixels tall to fill the space? I wanna know because i am curious at the 1st place and in future i don't need to ask the same question

[jmuehleisen]

The easiest way to upload a picture to your template's /images folder is to use an FTP program.

FileZilla is a very good FTP program and is free, so that is a good place to start.

http://filezilla-project.org/

You really need to learn to use an FTP program. It will make working on Joomla sites (well, any site, actually) so much easier. And you'll also need a good text editor in connection with your FTP program. I use PSPad and like it. Others prefer NotePad ++. Both of these are free.

Now, the way that I knew that your header space was 940 x 240 was simple ... I measured it using a program called "Snagit" that I use when creating "screen shots". I can simply select a part of a screen and one of the things it will do is tell me the exact size (in pixels) of the space that I have marked out.

It is a very nice program, bit is a bit expensive. http://snagit.com

[Eriku]

I see. Beside using FTP , i can directly go to file manager in my cpanel to upload it right? ^^

I see. Thank you so much again for the information and also the software ^^

By the way, i am trying to add the contact us(my second site with Joomla ) into the menu and successfully added in, however, it shown home,position, phone, mobile phone number and fax, i got no idea how to fill in my detail in it and instead of showing those things i want my contact us just show the email address that i put which able to contact me or a form that require the person to fill in the name and so on like this ( http://www.otakucenter.com/sendmessage.php ) . ^^ So how can i do it ? >.< Sorry for questioning a lot >.<

Beside, under "the new's" section in the Main Menu. How can i do it like the 1 in the attachment?

Apparently, i create a category and name it as Laptop then choose the section as News.

After that, i create a category and name it as Desktop then choose the section as News.

If i use the Category list layout page , it will shown in the "Main Menu" section and under "The News" as a sub of " The News" >.<

[jmuehleisen]

Beside using FTP , i can directly go to file manager in my cpanel to upload it right? ^^

Yes, you can do it that way, too. But, you will find that FTP is often quicker and easier, but the end result is the same.

i want my contact us just show the email address that i put which able to contact me or a form that require the person to fill in the name and so on

You have a lot of control over how the "contact us" page looks. You will want to set up a menu item to lead to a "Contacts -> Standard Contact Layout."

On the right side of the menu item screen you can set various "parameters" or "settings" to show or not show each of these items. Each thing can be turned on and off.

Beside, under "the new's" section in the Main Menu. How can i do it like the 1 in the attachment?

I'm sorry, I don't understand your question. I think the page that you showed me is actually set up as a "Section Blog" ... Articles -> Section -> Section Blog.

[Eriku]

I'm sorry, I don't understand your question. I think the page that you showed me is actually set up as a "Section Blog" ... Articles -> Section -> Section Blog.

I am sorry that i am kind of lost and confuse in this part. >.< If i use the following ways that you mentioned above , how can i add link of the latest news and so on into the article which will automatically update whenever there's new article been submited? As you see in the attachment , there's the name that said " latest news" and it's a link where user click on it will show on all the article under latest news but beside it , there's a blanket showing how many article they have submited >.< ( the attachment was the 2nd picture, sorry that i am not really good in uploading picture )





By the way, regarding to the contact us , i believe by using the parameters and setting alone wont allow me to create a contact us page such as the attachment where you can see there's a form that built up with blank boxes and name to ask you to fill in the appropriate information in the boxes. So how can i create those boxes ?

[jmuehleisen]

Let's take the "contact us" question first.

As you have seen, the "core" contact component in Joomla has certain fields that the user can fill in.

But, if you want to add more fields to that "contact us form," then you need to use a Joomla "extension" to give you that additional flexibility.

You can find those here: http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions ... tact-forms

In particular, I would recommend that you look at this one (aiContactSafe). It is quite flexible and well supported.

http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions ... forms/7901

[Eriku]

Erm, something not good happened.

Now the links under the main menu were malfunctioning. The links are The news, search and contact . >.<

The news : http://anixekai.co.cc/the-news.html
Search : http://anixekai.co.cc/search.html
Contact Us: http://anixekai.co.cc/contact-us.html

[jmuehleisen]

Go to Site -> Global Configuration -> SEO Settings and set them to "No."

See if that gets your site back on.

[Eriku]

I see. Thank you very much. >.< May i know what i shall do in order to set the SEO Settings to Yes?

[jmuehleisen]

May i know what i shall do in order to set the SEO Settings to Yes?

Perhaps this short video will help: http://www.[youtube].com/watch?v=RpCX53EzfXM

and this article: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300167/Jooml ... t-SEF-URLs

And don't forget to always check here first: http://docs.joomla.org/Beginners

You missed one step: you need to rename the file htaccess.txt in the root folder of your website to .htaccess (this is done by FTP).

Then try turning on the SEO / SEF again.

[Eriku]

Some error while trying to rename the file. >.<

[jmuehleisen]

Well, if you already have a file named .htaccess, then try renaming it to htaccess.old.txt, then rename Joomla's htaccess.txt to .htaccess

See how that goes.

[Eriku]

Whenever i try to rename the file the same error pop out , after that , it auto create a file called " .htaccess" . >.< By the way, i use my host's file manager. Is it compulsory to use FileZila?

[jmuehleisen]

No, it is not necessary to use FileZilla. But it is easier.

Is this on a Windows host or a Linux host?