Why Joomla #3 - Extensions

Posted by: bizguy in MyBlog on Sep 09, 2009

Although I fell off posting to my blogs for a few days, my quest to be listed #1 as the “best web designer in Canada” continued in my absence. I am really happy to announce that I have broken onto the first page of Google search results, and have remained in the number 8 position for the last 2 days!

Unfortunately, 2 of my blogs were shut down by their operators as simply being SEO link sources, so I guess to them the information I am discussing is of no value.

Today I wanted to touch on how the Joomla CMS can be extended, or how new features and functions can easily be added to Joomla through Extensions. Extensions are programs that can be loaded into a Joomla site to add functionality. There are 3 types of extensions: modules, plugins and components.

• Modules typically display information to the user, or collect user input.
  • As an example, a module can display the current number of site visitors, or a login form.
• Plugins typically add a function to Joomla and only the output may be visible to the user.
  • A plugin may display an image or imbed a video in an article (some page content) when the writer include a snipet of code.
  • Example: {youtube}xom39ej3qs{/youtube} which would embed a YouTube video in the article where placed.
• Components typically extend what Joomla can do by adding complete functions. An example of some of the components available for Joomla are:
  • a complete online store (ecommerce) including product images, descriptions, categories, physical/virtual products, shopping cart, shipping integration and payment gateway integrations
  • file managers that allow file uploading, downloading, categorizing and personal file management
  • business directories that include categories, free/paid listings, featured listings, user submitted listings, listing management
  • paid membership website extensions, that include restricted access, renewal billing, membership management
  • personal messaging systems
  • live chat systems
  • community building and functions systems
  • blogs
  • and much more

With over 3,200 extensions listed in the Joomla Extension Directory (JED) there is a good chance that you will be able to find an open-source free extension that will do what you want on your site.

Tomorrow I will discuss Joomla page content.