Joomla review

Rating: 8/10

• Release version: 1.5 Beta
• License: GNU/GPL, Open Source
• Homepage: http://www.joomla.org
• OpenSourceCMS.com demo
• CMSMatrix.org listing

Although it is a beta version, I am reviewing Joomla 1.5 because it has many improvements over the 1.0.x versions and even though it may still have some bugs Joomla 1.5 is here to stay!

Ahh, Joomla - my first CMS! Well, it was actually Mambo but Joomla is a fork that is pretty close (at least in the 1.0.x versions), so...

When I started making sites I (like everybody else) coded them by hand and FTPed them to the server; after a while it started getting tedious and more than anything else, a nightmare to update. This is when I started looking for a CMS and eventually chose Mambo, mostly because I had the feeling that no matter what problem I would have the community would help me. And I was right!

There have been many improvements from the 1.0.x series, many of which are a breath of fresh air to Joomla users:

• built in SEF (search engine urls) support. Previously you could turn urls with variables into static urls, but those looked something like example.com/content/view/12/24; in 1.5 Joomla has the ablility to transform urls into example.com/index.php/products/widgets/green-widgets.
• better caching (really helps with heavy trafficed sites, in case of Digg or Slashdot).
• removed statistics - while it may seem to be a step back for many, that component ate resources like no tomorrow.
• general code improvements.
  

Joomla review

Go Daddy Review, User Reviews of Go Daddy

I have many domains hosted on a single account at GoDaddy. The hosting works great. It has been reliable, reasonably fast PHP and MySQL services. Reasonably easy to configure, etc. There are very serious hosting solutions out there that cost many times the GoDaddy price and are only a little better for web hosting.

Bottom line, hosting OK for the price.

Go Daddy Review, User Reviews of Go Daddy

JoomlaPack: open-source backup component

JoomlaPack is an open-source backup component for the Joomla! CMS, quite a bit different than its competition. Its mission is simple: create a site backup that can be restored on any Joomla!-capable server.

It creates a full backup of your site in a single ZIP archive. The archive contains all the files, a database snapshot and an installer derived from the standard Joomla! installer. The backup and restore process is AJAX powered to avoid server timeouts, even with huge sites.

Alternatively, you can make a backup of only your database. If you want a reliable, easy to use, open source backup solution for your Joomla! site, try it out.

JoomlaPack web resources

Official web site: http://www.joomlapack.net
Support forum: http://www.joomlapack.net/forum/
Project page (software and documentation downloads): http://www.joomlacode.org/gf/project/jpack
Developers' blog: http://joomlapack.blogspot.com


JoomlaPack

JCE - A Content Editor for Joomla!® : Home

Add a set of tools to your Joomla!® environment that give you the power to create the kind of content you want, without limitations, and without needing to know or learn HTML, XHTML, CSS...

THIS extension is just VITAL in making Joomla 1.5 user friendly for non-tech people!

• Office-like functions and familiar buttons make formatting simple
  
• Upload, rename, delete, cut/copy/paste images and insert them into your articles using an intuitive and familiar interface
• Create Links to other Sections, Categories, Articles, Weblinks and Contacts¹ in your site using a unique and practical Link Browser
• Take control of your code with syntax highlighting in the Advanced Code editor and advanced style and element attribute editing
• Integrated Spellchecking using Google™ Spellchecker (or PSpell and ASpell)

JCE - A Content Editor for Joomla!® : Home

Godaddy Gmail Authenticate - gdgmail

This is for Joomla users on Godaddy.com servers wanting to authenticate new or existing users using gmail. The plugin allows for authentication through gmail and auto account creation.

This is a replacement plugin for the included one that is standard with joomla. If you use Godaddy then you will be better served and not have problems by using this plugin instead.

Joomla! Extensions Directory - Godaddy Gmail Authenticate - gdgmail

7 Steps to Make Your Website Your Client Attraction Magnet

by Donna Gunter

When I started my online business in 1999, I had a website, but did very little with it, as it seemed impossible to get noticed by the search engines. My website simply served as my online brochure and I had no plan in place to drive any traffic there. Fast forward to 2007, and now almost all of my clients come to me from my website. In fact, my website has brought 5 clients to my door in the past week.

My website and my Internet marketing strategies do such a good job of promoting my business that when clients contact me, it's usually to say, "I've been to your site and I've been reading the great info you provide. I know you're the one to help me. When can we get started?" Consequently, I'm rarely in the position of having to "sell" someone on the benefits they'll gain by working with me, as my website takes care of most of that for me. I think that's very cool, as I absolutely hate trying to sell myself.

What can you do to make your website your client attraction magnet? There's so much information out there about online marketing and so many directions from which to choose that it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused Whether you have a website and have been online for awhile or are just getting started on creating your Internet presence, here are the most important first 7 steps you can take to get more clients from Internet marketing and create your own client attraction magnet:

1. Domain that reflects your brand. The domain name from which you transact all of your online business should reflect your brand in some way. You can accomplish this by purchasing a .com version of a domain name that is the same as the name of your business or by buying a domain containing keywords relevant to your business. Before buying your business domain, make a list of keywords that someone might use to find you online. This list could include your industry, your target market or niche, a problem your target market has, or a solution that you can offer. If you've been in business for awhile, it may make most sense to simply stick with the business name you have been using rather than trying to rebrand your business online. I highly recommend GoDaddy.com for all domain name purchases.

Read the whole article here: 7 Steps to Make Your Website Your Client Attraction Magnet

The Ultimate Social Bookmarking Plugin | Plugins | Joomla Extensions

This new Joomla! plugin was built as a superior replacement for the old Social Bookmarking Buttons plugin for Joomla 1.0.x. The Ultimate Social Bookmarking plugin is the best extension available because it puts the buttons where you want them, allows an unlimited amount of customization, and is compatible with Joomla! 1.0.x and Joomla! 1.5 natively.

Please give this plugin a vote at the Joomla! Extensions Directory if you appreciate the time I've put into it. Others won't be able to find it if it's buried below the rest of the extensions. Thanks!

Features

• Quickly and easily build up your web traffic and PageRank by making it easy for your website visitors to add your pages to any social bookmarking website.
• All styling is done through CSS, no inline styling or tables.
• Manage your buttons through an editable XML file. Choose which buttons you want enabled, or add new buttons yourself.
• Native versions for Joomla 1.0.x and Joomla 1.5

The Ultimate Social Bookmarking Plugin | Plugins | Joomla Extensions