Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla! - Revision history

Chris Davenport: Redirecting to Beginners

2008-03-08T20:53:56Z

Redirecting to Beginners

AmyStephen: Removing all content from page

2008-03-03T02:21:28Z

Removing all content from page

AmyStephen: New page: == PHASE 1: YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN == Start by taking Joomla! out on a test ride using the [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site]. Think about all of the functionality y...

2008-03-03T02:20:59Z

New page: == PHASE 1: YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN == Start by taking Joomla! out on a test ride using the [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site]. Think about all of the functionality y...

New page

== PHASE 1: YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN ==

Start by taking Joomla! out on a test ride using the [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site]. Think about all of the functionality you see on the demo site. What would be great to have? What do you not want in your website? Just cruise around and enjoy the scenery; you should not be breaking a sweat at this point.

== PHASE 2: WALK RIGHT THROUGH THE DOOR ==

That was fun, wasn't it? If you are like the rest of us, you are probably thinking you would like your very own copy and might be wondering how you can install this thing? Never fear – it’s not that difficult to do.

=== Installing Joomla! ===

==== Installing Joomla! on your desktop computer ====

The easiest way to get started with Joomla! is to install it on your desktop computer. This video will show you how to download and install XAMPP and create a local server that you can then use to install Joomla!. That way, you don't have to pay for hosting while you learn more about Joomla!.

First, starting with Russ Winter's Joomla! HISA: Health Installation and Security Audit Tool It's like having a system admin in a box. Install it and it will tell you if your environment "is ready" for Joomla!. < http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/hisa/ >

==== Installing Joomla! on a Web Host ====

What now? Well, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get busy. Start by reading the "Joomla! Quick Start" < http://www.netshinesoftware.com/joomla-tutorial.html > . This is an easy to read, 20-page manual that gets right to the heart of the matter. Walk through the guide with your own Joomla! implementation in front of you. Do not worry if things seem a little fuzzy, at first. ??? As you keep studying, it will become clear. You will find yourself saying "Huh?", “Oh!” and “I see!” during this phase.

When you have finished, familiarize yourself with the Joomla! lingo using < http://www.howtojoomla.net/content/view/41/2/ >. The better you learn the language, the easier it will be to talk to the natives. Practice speaking these words in the car ride on the way to work, “Let’s see. A category belongs to a section.” Consider asking a friend to make you word games and crossword puzzles using Joomla! terms to drive home key concepts. :P

== PHASE 3: BEYOND CURIOUS, BUT NOT QUITE COMMITTED ==

By now, you should be feeling much more comfortable but not necessarily "ready for action." You need to keep learning. This time, we are going to give you several reading assignments. (Yes, you can! You CAN do it!) And, a great list of "click here, and then do this" example sites that really rock!

OK. what are you trying to do? If you have a good idea of what you want to do - but you have absolutely no idea how to squeeze those ideas into Joomla!, read Content is King::A Beginner's Guide to organizing content in Joomla < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... ntent.html > this is an *excellent* guide to help you think about configuring Joomla!.

Also, read this FAQ entitled User Group Access levels explained in simple terms! < http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,26169.0.html >.

Floating World offers END USER tutorials for those who manage site content!
< http://www.floatingworld.ca/content/category/12/28/130/ >
Tutorial 1: How To Log In To the Backend
Tutorial 2: A Tour Of The Administration Area
Tutorial 3: How To Update Content
Tutorial 4: Uploading Images And Other Media
Tutorial 5: Inserting Images Into Content Items
Tutorial 6: Adding Products To Your Virtuemart Store

== PHASE 4: ***S*E*R*I*O*U*S*** TEMPLATING! You can do it yourself! Sure you can! ==

By now, you have probably uploaded an avatar that shows you mean business. You told Mom that Sunday will not work for dinner because you are testing the new release. You might even be feeling like your learning journey is done. Grasshopper, you need more knowledge.

Yes, we are talking building your own TEMPLATE!

Joomla! v 1.0.x see the Joomla! Template Tutorial < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... orial.html >
- or -
Joomla! v 1.5 see the Joomla! v 1.5 Template Tutorial < http://www.compassdesigns.net/joomla-bl ... lates.html >

== PHASE 5: IT'S TOO LATE. ==

We hope you did not read ahead because this might scare off a real newbie. You have accepted the fact that you are now a prisoner and can think of nothing better to do than to play with Joomla! all day long. You are quite certain some of your friends have been avoiding you and seem disinterested in your Joomla! tales. :( You brush off the realization knowing you have new friends -- TRUE friends -- from the forum. :D

Want more? There are lots of good videos, guides and tips available. These resources are extremely well written and you are going to be ENTHUSED as you find out how smart you are!

Joomla!Tutorials < http://www.joomlatutorials.com/ >.
How to Joomla! < http://www.howtojoomla.net/ >
Compass Design < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... tutorials/ >.
The "Official" Joomla! v 1.0.x Guide < http://help.joomla.org/ >
Joomla! Administrator Guide < http://help.joomla.org/content/section/16/153/ >
FAQ's. There is already a TON of stuff out there that you WILL find helpful - and people expect you to look there BEFORE posting to the forums! (So, try to do that!) < http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,49.0.html >

== THE FORUMS ==

At some point in this journey, you started feeling confident enough to reach out to others and began using the Forums. There are a few "common courtesies" you should be aware of:

* First of all, did you actually read the assignments? If not, do! Only you can help yourself learn and reading this material will do the trick!
* Please make certain you search, first, before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had. As it turns out, we all travel a similar path.
* Also, check the FAQ's. There is already a TON of stuff out there that you WILL find helpful. Being responsible to search and review existing material keeps the questions at a manageable level for the volunteers who help.
* Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:53, 8 March 2008
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−	+	#REDIRECT [[Beginners]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:21, 3 March 2008
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−	~~== PHASE 1: YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN ==~~
−
−	Start by taking Joomla! out on a test ride using the [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site]. Think about all of the functionality you see on the demo site. What would be great to have? What do you not want in your website? Just cruise around and enjoy the scenery; you should not be breaking a sweat at this point.
−
−
−	~~== PHASE 2: WALK RIGHT THROUGH THE DOOR ==~~
−
−	That was fun, wasn't it? If you are like the rest of us, you are probably thinking you would like your very own copy and might be wondering how you can install this thing? Never fear – it’s not that difficult to do.
−
−	~~=== Installing Joomla! ===~~
−
−
−	~~==== Installing Joomla! on your desktop computer ====~~
−
−	The easiest way to get started with Joomla! is to install it on your desktop computer. This video will show you how to download and install XAMPP and create a local server that you can then use to install Joomla!. That way, you don't have to pay for hosting while you learn more about Joomla!.
−
−	First, starting with Russ Winter's Joomla! HISA: Health Installation and Security Audit Tool It's like having a system admin in a box. Install it and it will tell you if your environment "is ready" for Joomla!. < http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/hisa/ >
−
−	~~==== Installing Joomla! on a Web Host ====~~
−
−
−	What now? Well, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get busy. Start by reading the "Joomla! Quick Start" < http://www.netshinesoftware.com/joomla-tutorial.html > . This is an easy to read, 20-page manual that gets right to the heart of the matter. Walk through the guide with your own Joomla! implementation in front of you. Do not worry if things seem a little fuzzy, at first. ??? As you keep studying, it will become clear. You will find yourself saying "Huh?", “Oh!” and “I see!” during this phase.
−
−	When you have finished, familiarize yourself with the Joomla! lingo using < http://www.howtojoomla.net/content/view/41/2/ >. The better you learn the language, the easier it will be to talk to the natives. Practice speaking these words in the car ride on the way to work, “Let’s see. A category belongs to a section.” Consider asking a friend to make you word games and crossword puzzles using Joomla! terms to drive home key concepts. :P
−
−
−	~~== PHASE 3: BEYOND CURIOUS, BUT NOT QUITE COMMITTED ==~~
−
−
−	By now, you should be feeling much more comfortable but not necessarily "ready for action." You need to keep learning. This time, we are going to give you several reading assignments. (Yes, you can! You CAN do it!) And, a great list of "click here, and then do this" example sites that really rock!
−
−	OK. what are you trying to do? If you have a good idea of what you want to do - but you have absolutely no idea how to squeeze those ideas into Joomla!, read Content is King::A Beginner's Guide to organizing content in Joomla < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... ntent.html > this is an excellent guide to help you think about configuring Joomla!.
−
−	~~Also, read this FAQ entitled User Group Access levels explained in simple terms! < http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,26169.0.html >.~~
−
−	~~Floating World offers END USER tutorials for those who manage site content!~~
−	~~< http://www.floatingworld.ca/content/category/12/28/130/ >~~
−	~~Tutorial 1: How To Log In To the Backend~~
−	~~Tutorial 2: A Tour Of The Administration Area~~
−	~~Tutorial 3: How To Update Content~~
−	~~Tutorial 4: Uploading Images And Other Media~~
−	~~Tutorial 5: Inserting Images Into Content Items~~
−	~~Tutorial 6: Adding Products To Your Virtuemart Store~~
−
−
−	~~== PHASE 4: **SERIOUS** TEMPLATING! You can do it yourself! Sure you can! ==~~
−
−
−	By now, you have probably uploaded an avatar that shows you mean business. You told Mom that Sunday will not work for dinner because you are testing the new release. You might even be feeling like your learning journey is done. Grasshopper, you need more knowledge.
−
−	~~Yes, we are talking building your own TEMPLATE!~~
−
−	~~Joomla! v 1.0.x see the Joomla! Template Tutorial < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... orial.html >~~
−	~~- or -~~
−	~~Joomla! v 1.5 see the Joomla! v 1.5 Template Tutorial < http://www.compassdesigns.net/joomla-bl ... lates.html >~~
−
−
−	~~== PHASE 5: IT'S TOO LATE. ==~~
−
−
−	We hope you did not read ahead because this might scare off a real newbie. You have accepted the fact that you are now a prisoner and can think of nothing better to do than to play with Joomla! all day long. You are quite certain some of your friends have been avoiding you and seem disinterested in your Joomla! tales. :( You brush off the realization knowing you have new friends -- TRUE friends -- from the forum. :D
−
−	~~Want more? There are lots of good videos, guides and tips available. These resources are extremely well written and you are going to be ENTHUSED as you find out how smart you are!~~
−
−	~~Joomla!Tutorials < http://www.joomlatutorials.com/ >.~~
−	~~How to Joomla! < http://www.howtojoomla.net/ >~~
−	~~Compass Design < http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials ... tutorials/ >.~~
−	~~The "Official" Joomla! v 1.0.x Guide < http://help.joomla.org/ >~~
−	~~Joomla! Administrator Guide < http://help.joomla.org/content/section/16/153/ >~~
−	FAQ's. There is already a TON of stuff out there that you WILL find helpful - and people expect you to look there BEFORE posting to the forums! (So, try to do that!) < http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,49.0.html >
−
−
−
−	~~== THE FORUMS ==~~
−
−
−	~~At some point in this journey, you started feeling confident enough to reach out to others and began using the Forums. There are a few "common courtesies" you should be aware of:~~
−
−	* First of all, did you actually read the assignments? If not, do! Only you can help yourself learn and reading this material will do the trick!
−	* Please make certain you search, first, before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had. As it turns out, we all travel a similar path.
−	* Also, check the FAQ's. There is already a TON of stuff out there that you WILL find helpful. Being responsible to search and review existing material keeps the questions at a manageable level for the volunteers who help.
−	* Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!