Beginners

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{{browsebar|profiles}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|<big>Joomla! {{PAGENAME}}</big>|Chunk:Beginner profile|}}
 
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{{Beginner profile}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Intro}}
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<div class="portal-column-left-extra-wide"> <!-- Switch to one column on narrow screens -->
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Absolute Beginners Guide|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Absolute Beginners Guide}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Understand How Joomla! Works|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Understand How Joomla Works|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Understand How Joomla Works}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|What is Joomla!?|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/What is Joomla|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/What is Joomla}}
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=Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!=
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Installing Joomla!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Installing Joomla|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Installing Joomla}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Learning to Use Joomla!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Learn to use Joomla|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Learn to use Joomla}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|To learn more see the [[Glossary]]}}
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Welcome to Joomla!, a leading open source Content Management System (CMS) platform.  Joomla! is a well-tested, extensible and effective tool supported by a very active and friendly community of developers and users.
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<div style="clear:both; width:100%">
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Start Creating Your Joomla! Site|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Start Creating Your Joomla Site|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Start Creating Your Joomla Site}}
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Do you want to get started with Joomla!, but you have no idea where to begin? If so, you have come to the right place. The '''Absolute Beginner's Guide to Joomla!''' is just for you.
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Keep Your Joomla! Site Secure|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Keep Your Joomla Site Secure|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Keep Your Joomla Site Secure}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Getting Help|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Getting Help|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Getting Help}}
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Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a vary attractive and useful basic website in very little time and with no no special technical skills.
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<div style="clear:both; width:100%">
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq/other-color|<big>Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics</big>|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics}}<br/>
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<div style="clear:both; width:100%">
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Exploring the Possibilities with Joomla! Core|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Exploring the possibilities with Joomla Core|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Exploring the possibilities with Joomla Core}}
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</div>
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<div class="portal-column-left-wide"> <!-- Switch to one column on narrow screens -->
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Joomla! Search Engine Optimization|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Search Engine Optimization|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Search Engine Optimization}}
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== What is Joomla!?==
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Learn to Backup and Restore|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Backup and Restore|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Backup and Restore}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Recovering Your System Administration Password|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Recover Your Administration Password|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Recover Your Administration Password}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-footer|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Converting an Existing Website to Joomla!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Converting an Existing Website to Joomla|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Converting an Existing Website to Joomla}}
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Joomla! is software that lets you make and update web pages easily.
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Learning the Basics of Joomla! Templating|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Templates|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Templates}}
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You can think of a Joomla! website as bringing together three elements.
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* Your content, which is mainly stored in a database.
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Creating a Local Joomla! Installation|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Creating a Local Installation|}}
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* Your template, which controls the design and presentation of your content (such as fonts, colors and layout).
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Creating a Local Installation}}
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* Joomla! which is the software that bring the content and the template together to produce webpages.
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<div class="portal-column-right-extra-narrow"> <!-- Switch to one column on narrow screens -->
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Using Mootools|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Using Mootools|}}
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Using Mootools}}
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== Installing Joomla! ==
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There are several ways to install Joomla!.
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{{:{{FULLPAGENAME}}/box-header-sq|Thanks to our GHOP Contestants!|{{FULLPAGENAME}}|}}
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Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!
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First, make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.
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*Option One: One Click Installs. Many hosting companies offer "instant" installation of Joomla!. Follow the instructions your host provides for a one click install.
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*Option Two: Conventional Installs. This method requires that you copy the Joomla! zip file to your hosting account, unzip, create a database, and then run the installation. Complete instructions can be found in the [http://help.joomla.org/content/category/48/268/302/ Joomla! Installation Manual]. This [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/joomlainstall.html video] takes you through the steps
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For support with installation, you can ask questions in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=429 installation forum].
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== Learn to Use Joomla! ==
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Now that you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how Joomla! works. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.
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One way is to learn by [http://community.joomla.org/august-2008/article/522-introductory-learning-joomla-using-sample-data.html working with the sample data].
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There is also a very nice beginners visual guide to getting started with Joomla! 1.5 here: [http://help.joomla.org/files/VisualGuide15.pdf Learn Joomla! 1.5 Fast!] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/16125978/Visual-Guide-15 Scribd] (PDF 1.3Mb) written by Saurabh Bhide.
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The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task048/joomla_15_quickstart.pdf Joomla! v 1.5 Quick Start Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299418/Joomla-15-Quickstart Scribd], written by [[GHOP students/Kevin Hayne|Kevin Hayne]]. As you read the guide, walk through the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/index.html video accompaniment] created by [[GHOP students/Michael Casha|Michael Casha]].
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The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task020/Joomla!%20Core%20Features%20V1.2.pdf Joomla! Core Features Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299291/Joomla-Core-Features-V1-2 scribd], written by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsay]] describes the features are available in each download of Joomla!.
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Joomla! works using various extensions, some that come with your installation and some that you add yourself. This document explains the [http://docs.joomla.org/Joomla!_Extensions_Defined types of Joomla! extensions].
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For support as you are learning, ask questions in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=428 New to Joomla1/General Joomla! v 1.5 forum].
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The [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site] is a good place to try out many of these features if you have not yet done an installation.
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== Start Creating Your Site ==
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Now you're ready to start making your own articles, weblinks, contacts, banners, and newsfeeds.
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Before you jump into doing this you may want to review [[Planning_Your_Web_site]]
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One of the first tasks you may want to do is to modify one of the templates that comes with Joomla! so that it displays your site name and logo.
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* How to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task093/replace%20the%20logo%20image.odt replace the logo image in the Milkyway template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299991/Joomla-v-1-5-How-to-replace-the-logo-image-in-the-Milkyway-template Scribd] by deckers.olivier
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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task033/033%20-%20Create%20a%20document%20explaining%20how%20to%20modify%20the%20default%20Template.zip How to modify the default Template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300042/Joomla-v-15-How-to-modify-the-default-Template Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].
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Finally, you may want to install one or more of the thousands of extensions to Joomla!
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Read [http://docs.joomla.org/How_do_you_install_an_extension%3F How to install an extension.]
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Please remember that all extensions are developed by independent developers. If you need help with a specific extension the best source will be that developer.
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For help visit:
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* [[jforum:428 New to Joomla!/General Joomla! v 1.5 Questions]]
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* [[jforum:466 Joomla! v 1.5 Template Questions]]
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* [[jforum:470 Joomla! v 1.5 Extension Questions]]
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* [[jforum:262 Joomla! Extension Directory Questions]]
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== Keep Your Site Secure ==
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Security is always a big concern on the web. Make sure you are using best security practices. The basic techniques on the  [[Security_Checklist_1_-_Getting_Started | Security Check List]] will get your site off to a good start in terms of security.
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== Getting Help ==
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The Joomla! forums are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.
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* 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.
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* Also, check the [[FAQs]]. Being responsible to search and review existing material keeps the questions at a manageable level for the volunteers who help.
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* Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.
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* 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!
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* Use the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f=428&t=272481 Forum Post Assistant] to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.
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* If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.
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* As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.
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= Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics =
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The remainder of this document briefly covers some slightly more advanced topics for web masters.
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== Learn to Backup and Restore ==
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Learn to backup your Joomla! database. Learn to restore your Joomla! database. Frequent backups are the best way to make sure you can recover if your site has a problem. This video entitled [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2742157386318372444 How to backup and restore a Joomla! database using phpMyAdmin] by kristofdb.
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== How to Recover Your System Administration Password ==
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Watch this video by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsey]] entitled [http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1818492yRNhWTdg How to Recover your Administrator Password using phpMyAdmin].
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== Exploring the possibilities with Joomla! v 1.5 Core ==
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* Learn what is possible given the core [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task028/Joomla%20Menu%20Types.zip Joomla! Menu Types] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299861/Joomla-v-15-Menu-Types Scribd] by xalnx;
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* Understand all the options available when you create a [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task029/Issue_29_Joomla_Category_Blog_Layout_document_v2.zip Joomla! Category Blog Layout] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299872/Joomla-v-15-Category-Blog-Layout Scribd] by hashani;
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* Watch this video on [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task055/Joomla!_GHOP_Issue_055.mov How to embed media within a Joomla! article] by mdranta;
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* Explore the possibilities with [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task066/MediaManager.odt Using the media manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299878/Joomla-v-15-Using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;
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* Learn [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task026/Rev10-Final.zip How to Use Joomla!'s Register to Read More] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299883/Joomla-v-15-Register-to-Read-More Scribd] by drmmr763;
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* Make certain to learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task104/How_to_create_a_custom_HTML_module.zip Create a custom HTML module] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299886/Joomla-v-15-How-to-create-a-custom-HTML-module- Scribd] by blitzprog;
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* Learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task105/using_media_manager.zip Use the Media Manager to Offer File Downloads] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299888/Joomla-v-15-Using-Media-Manager-for-File-Downloads Scribd] by fervidfrogger;
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* Learn how to create a simple [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task106/Joomla%20Image%20Gallery.odt Image Gallery using the Media Manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299943/Joomla-v-15-Image-Gallery-using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;
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* Learn how to use core [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task107/BDRev5.zip Contact functions to create a services or resources directory] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299950/Joomla-v-15-Contact-functions-to-create-a-services-or-resources-directory Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]];
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* Take time to explore how to use the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task108/Newsflashtutorialfinal.odt News flash module to display random or rotating selection of texts] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299953/Joomla-v-15-News-flash-module-to-display-random-or-rotating-selection-of-texts Scribd] by tj.ferrell;
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* Take advantage of the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task109/task%20109.pdf Banners component and module to feature different parts of a website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299956/Joomla-v-15-Banners-component-and-module-to-feature-different-parts-of-a-website Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Branko Pajic|Branko Pajic (balvanboy)]];
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* Read through the [[Help screens]] to find out about all options available at the Back-end
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== Using Mootools ==
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There are many great things you can do with Mootools, included in Joomla! v 1.5. Check out these resources to learn how:
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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task083/Mootools%20Tips%20and%20Tricks.odt Mootools Tips and Tricks] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299965/Joomla-v-15-Mootools-Tips-and-Tricks Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Zach Kanzler|Zach Kanzler (theY4Kman)]];
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* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task084/joomla.odt Squeezebox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299973/Joomla-v-15-Squeezebox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by ddcc;
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* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task085/draft3HowtoincludeSlimboxinJoomla.odt Slimbox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299983/Joomla-v-15-Slimbox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by dsadik.
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== Learn the Basics of Joomla! Templating ==
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=== Using CSS Class Suffixes ===
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There are other simple things you can do with templates to achieve the look you need. These simple tutorials could be very helpful.
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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task057/Joomla%20Class%20Suffix%20Guides.pdf How to use CSS class suffixes in Joomla! 1.5] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300098/Joomla-v-15-How-to-use-CSS-class-suffixes Scribd] by takercena.
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=== Getting Rid of Tables ===
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* If you do not like tables in your Joomla! output, please see [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task059/Getting_Started_with_Template_Overrides_v2.tar.gz Getting Started with Template Overrides] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300107/Joomla-v-1-5-Getting-Started-with-Template-Overrides Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Wickrama Arachchi Vithanage Hashani Maduwanthi Weerarathna|Wickrama Arachchi Vithanage Hashani Maduwanthi Weerarathna (Hashani)]]
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=== Adding Javascript to your Template ===
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* You might be interested in [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task060/task60.odt How to add JavaScript to a Joomla template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300110/Joomla-v-15-Adding-Javascript-to-your-Template Scribd] by  [[GHOP students/Anner J. Bonilla|Anner J. Bonilla (annerajb)]].
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=== Troubleshooting a Template Installation ===
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If you are having trouble installing a template, see [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task061/Rev9.zip How to resolve problems with a template installation] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300161/Joomla-v-1-5-Template-Installation-Troubleshooting-Manual Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].
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=== Questions? ===
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* [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=466 Joomla! v 1.5 Template Questions]
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== Address Search Engine Optimization ==
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Search Engine Optimization is the practice of doing whatever is needed to help make your Web site rank higher in return results for a search engine. For some, this is very important aspect of attracting visitors to their site. Most experts agree, however, that the single best way to improve your chance of getting attention on the Internet is to provide good content on a regular basis. There are several things that you can do using core functionality to make your Joomla! Web site more SEO friendly. Here are some important areas to focus.
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=== Configure and troubleshoot SEF URLs ===
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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task110/GHOPC_J110_SEFrevised-1.odt Joomla! v 1.5 SEF URLs] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300167/Joomla-v-15-Configure-and-troubleshoot-SEF-URLs Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Benjamin Hättasch|Benjamin Hättasch]].
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* If you want to use IIS and Joomla!'s SEF URLs, [http://docs.joomla.org/IIS6_and_SEF_URLs_using_Joomla_1.5x do this first], then use the previous document.
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=== Remove WWW from your domain name ===
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* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task111/remove_www_from_domain6.odt How to remove "WWW" from your Domain Name and Why it matters] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300173/Joomla-How-to-Remove-www-from-domain-and-why-it-matters Scribd] by theoclymenus
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=== Create a Custom 404 Page ===
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* [http://docs.joomla.org/Custom_error_pages Custom Error Pages, including 404's]
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=== SEO Questions ===
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Questions on these topics should be asked in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=544 Joomla! v 1.5 SEO Forum].
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===  SEF URL Questions? ===
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* [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=431 Joomla! v 1.5 Administration Forum]
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== Converting an Existing Website to Joomla! ==
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Check out the [[How to Convert an existing Web site to a Joomla! Web site]] guide for great step by step instructions.
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== Thanks to our GHOP Contestants! ==
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Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!
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<!-- KEEP THIS AT THE END OF THE PAGE -->
 
 
[[Category:Landing Pages]]
 
[[Category:Landing Pages]]
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[[Category:Joomla! user profiles]]

Revision as of 02:33, 1 September 2012

Beginners · Developers · Web designers · Administrators · Evaluators

 

Joomla! Beginners

Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!, Novices and What is Joomla all redirect to here.

As someone who has not used Joomla! before, you need to know how to get started. Maybe you have a friend or a neighbour who uses Joomla! and you want a Joomla! web site of your very own. Maybe you have a small business or a club or a community that needs a web presence, and you want to use Joomla! for that purpose. Maybe you are a seasoned Information Technology professional, but you have never Joomla! before. If so, you are just starting a very enjoyable journey and we warmly welcome you to Joomla!


 

Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!

Welcome to Joomla!, a leading open source Content Management System (CMS) platform. Joomla! is a well-tested, extensible and effective tool supported by a very active and friendly community of developers and users.

Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a very attractive and useful basic website in very little time and with no special technical skills.

Do you want to get started with Joomla!, but you have no idea where to begin? If so, you have come to the right place.

  • This Absolute Beginner's Guide to Joomla! is just for you. It lists articles on this Wiki that should get you up and running with Joomla! quickly. It does include some general terms and techniques you might not be familiar with, but there is good reference material for those on the Internet.
  • Getting Started with Joomla! is a tutorial series with hands-on instructions to introduce Joomla! to people who have not previously used it. It explains all techniques step by step using screenshots. These documents are useful if you like detailed and exact explanations, but they are necessarily longer than this reference.
  • Please use either or both of these documents to get started!
 

Understand How Joomla! Works

You might want to learn how Joomla! is built and how its features work together.

In short, Joomla! is composed of a Platform and extensions. There are several types of extensions, each capable of performing specific tasks. Some extensions are developed as part of the Joomla! project and come with your installation. If you want to add features to your site, you can install more extensions.

You can compare this to a computer operating system, like Microsoft Windows or Linux. You don't directly use the operating system (Joomla!); you use applications (extensions) to carry out tasks. Some applications (extensions) are immediately available on your system, but can install and remove additional applications (extensions) at any time.

The Joomla! Core Features Guide scribd, written by James Ramsay describes the features (mostly the extensions) available in each download of Joomla!.

 

What is Joomla!?

Joomla! is software that lets you...

...make and update web pages easily.

You can think of a Joomla! website as bringing together three elements.

  • Your content, which is mainly stored in a database.
  • Your template, which controls the design and presentation of your content (such as fonts, colors and layout).
  • Joomla! which is the software that bring the content and the template together to produce webpages.
 

Installing Joomla!

There are several ways to install Joomla!.

If you want to test Joomla! and you haven't purchased a domain yet, you can install Joomla! on your own computer (without your site appearing on the Internet), you can install it using the XAMPP package. You can also create a working website at demo.joomla.org, which is easy and well-supported.

If you want your site to be available on the Internet, make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.

  • Option One: One Click Installs. Many hosting companies offer "instant" installation of Joomla!. Follow the instructions your host provides for a one click install.
  • Option Three: Demo Site. If you used the Demo Site, you can follow the instructions provided to back up and move the site to your existing host or establish a hosting account at the end of the free 30 day trial. (Note that the Joomla! Project receives a royalty if you choose paid hosting from that site.)

For support with installation, you can ask questions in the installation forum.

 

Learning to Use Joomla!

Now that you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how to work with Joomla!. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.

One way is to learn by working with the sample data.

There is also a very nice beginners visual guide to getting started with Joomla! 1.5 here: Learn Joomla! 1.5 Fast! Scribd (PDF 1.3Mb) written by Saurabh Bhide.

The Joomla! v 1.5 Quick Start Guide Scribd, written by Kevin Hayne. As you read the guide, walk through the video accompaniment created by Michael Casha.

For support as you are learning, you can ask questions in the forums.

The Joomla! Demo site is a good place to try out many of these features if you have not yet done an installation.

To learn more see the Glossary
 

Start Creating Your Joomla! Site

Now you're ready to start making your own articles, weblinks, contacts, banners, and newsfeeds. Before you jump into doing this you may want to review Planning Your Web site. Or if you want to convert your current website to Joomla!, read Converting an existing website to a Joomla! website.

Before you do anything else, you should decide if you want to enable Search Engine Friendly URLs (described here). Enabling or disabling them later will destroy the rankings your pages will have acquired with search engines.

One of the first tasks you may want to do is to modify one of the templates that comes with Joomla! so that it displays your site name and logo.

Finally, you may want to install one or more of the thousands of extensions to Joomla!. Most Joomla! extensions are listed in the official Joomla! Extensions Directory (JED). Once you've found an extension to install, Installing an extension will tell you how to install it.

Please remember that all extensions are developed by independent developers. If you need help with a specific extension the best source will be that developer.

For help visit:

 

Keep Your Joomla! Site Secure

Security is always a big concern on the web. Make sure you are using best security practices. The basic techniques on the Security Check List will get your site off to a good start in terms of security. Here is a list of more information you should read.

Joomla Security Forums

 

Getting Help

The Joomla! forums are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.

  • 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 FAQs--Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.
  • 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!
  • Use the Forum Post Assistant to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.
  • If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.
  • As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.
  • If someone helps you, say thank you and pay it forward by answering a question yourself.
 

Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics

Beginners/Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics

 

Exploring the Possibilities with Joomla! Core

 

Joomla! Search Engine Optimization

 

Learn to Backup and Restore

 

Recovering Your System Administration Password

 

Converting an Existing Website to Joomla!

 

Learning the Basics of Joomla! Templating

 

Creating a Local Joomla! Installation

 

Using Mootools

 

Thanks to our GHOP Contestants!

Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!

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