Joomla! 1.5 Specific FAQs

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Release Specific FAQ's

The Joomla! Bug Squad will add an FAQ page for each release to collect issues and proposed solutions that arise. If you are having problems with a current release, check that page for possible solutions, or add the issue you are finding. Continue to post requests for assistance in the forums.

1. ...Joomla! 1.5.7 Specific FAQs

Do I have to upgrade to version 1.5?

For the time being the Joomla! 1.0.x release will continue to be supported and updated if security or other major issues arise. Eventually, support for the 1.0.x will cease, but this will not be in the near future.

How do I install Joomla! 1.5?

Instructions for installation can be found here. http://help.joomla.org/content/section/48/302/

How do I upgrade to Joomla! 1.5?

You can migrate a Joomla! 1.0.x site or a Mambo 4.5.x to Joomla! 1.5.

Joomla 1.5 does not provide an upgrade path from earlier versions. Converting an older site to a Joomla 1.5 site requires creation of a new empty site using Joomla 1.5 and then populating the new site with the content from the old site. This migration of content is not a one-to-one process and involves conversions and modifications to the content dump.

There are two ways to perform the migration:

• An automated method of migration has been provided which uses a migrator component to create the migration dump out of the old site (Mambo 4.5.x up to Joomla 1.0.x) and a smart import facility in the Joomla 1.5 Installation that performs required conversions and modifications during the installation process.
• Migration can be performed manually. This involves exporting the required tables, manually performing required conversions and modifications and then importing the content to the new site after it is installed.

Automated migration

This is a two phased process using two tools. The first tool is a migrator component named 'com_migrator'. This component has been contributed by Harald Baer and is based on his 'eBackup' component. The migrator needs to be installed on the old site and when activated it prepares the required export dump of the old site's data. The second tool is built into the Joomla 1.5 installation process. The exported content dump is loaded to the new site and all conversions and modification are performed 'on-the-fly'.

Step 1 - Using com_migrator to export data from old site:

• Install the com_migrator component on the old site. It can be found at joomlacode.org .
• Select the component in the component menu of the administrator.
• Click on the 'Dump it' icon. Three exported gzipped export scripts will be created. The first is a complete backup of the old site. The second is the migration content of all core elements which will be imported to the new site. The third is a backup of all 3PD component tables.
• Click on the download icon of the particular exports files needed and store locally.
• Multiple export sets can be created.
• The exported data is not modified in anyway and the original encoding is preserved. This makes the com_migrator tool a recommended tool to use for manual migration as well.

Step 2 - Using the migration facility to import and convert data during Joomla 1.5 installation:

Note: This function requires use of the iconv function in PHP to convert encodings. If iconv is not found a warning will be provided.

• In step 6 - Configuration select the 'Load Migration Script' option in the 'Load Sample Data, Restore or Migrate Backed Up Content' section of the page.
• Enter the table prefix used in the content dump. For example: '#_' or '#__' are acceptable values.
• Select the encoding of the dumped content in the dropdown list. This should be the encoding used on the pages of the old site. (As defined in the _ISO variable in the language file or as seen in the browser page info/encoding/source)
• Browse the local host and select the migration export and click on 'Upload and Execute'
• A success message should appear or alternately a listing of db errors # Complete the other required fields in the Configuration step such as Site Name and Admin details and advance to the final step of installation. (Admin details will be ignored as the imported data will take priority. Please remember admin name and password from the old site)

What happened to the locale setting?

This is now defined in the language .xml file in the language metadata settings. If you are having locale problems (dates don't appear in your language) you might want to check/edit the entries in the locale tag. Note that multiple locale strings can be set and the host will usually accept the first one recognised.

Where did the installer go?

The improved installer can be found under the extensions option. With versions prior to 1.5 you needed to select a specific extensions type when you wanted to install it, with Joomla! 1.5 you just select the extension you want to upload, and click on install. The installer will do all the hard work for you.

Only one edit window! How do I create "Read more..."?

This is now implemented by inserting a tag (button is in the editor area) a dotted line appears in the edited text showing the split location for the "Read more...". A new bot takes care of the rest.

It is worth mentioning that this does not have a negative effect on migrated data from older sites. The new implementation is fully backward compatible.

Where did the Mambots go?

Mambots have been renamed as "Plugins" Mambots were introduced in Mambo and offered possibilities to add plugin logic to your site to mainly for the purpose of manipulating content. In Joomla!, Plugins will now have much broader capabilities than Mambots. Plugins are able to extend functionality at the framework layer as well.

Where is the static content?

In Joomla! versions prior to 1.5 there was a distinctive difference on static and normal content. Both content types are still around, but are not handled as separate items. If you want to create static content, just select "uncategorized" as section and category and the content is handled as static content.

Will my 1.0 extensions still work?

There is a legacy system in place that will allow extensions that are not 1.5 compatible to continue to operate. However, we strongly recommend that you update to the current version of all extensions prior to migration and that you check each extension's home page for specific recommendations about migration for that extension.

To activate the legacy support, go to the plugin manager and enable the legacy plugin.

How do I create a custom module?

To make a custom module, go to the module manager and then click on "new." This will give you a detailed list of existing modules. Look for "Custom html." Select this, and then click on next.

How do I set global preferences for content?

Global preferences in content are set in the article manager.

In the backend, go to Content>Article manager.

On the tool bar, second from the right, there is the preferences icon.

Click that and set your global preferences.

Why won't my legacy extension install?

Although Joomla! 1.5 allows backward compatability with 1.0 extensions, there are some times when a 1.0 extension does not install or work as intended.

Below are some suggestions to make them work.

• Make sure you have enabled the legacy mode in your plugin manager.
• Joomla! 1.5 requires strict XML whereas Joomla! 1.0.x did not. Look at the XML file (there is one in every extension) and see if there are any problems. The most common problem seems to be the character & which needs to be replaced with & a m p; (remove the spaces!). Any other special characters also need to be replaced in this way. There are numerous sources on the web that can show you how to translate special characters.
• Read your error messages. :) Although some are complicated, many involve simple things. For example in many places things that used to be named beginning with the string "mos" now have new names (usually the same, but with the mos deleted). If your error messages say mosSomething not found go edit the file and take off the mos.
• Related to that, if your error message says file not found, see if the file has been moved to a new directory.
• If these do not work try going to the homepage for the extension (these can be found in the listings in JED). Many people are trying to do the same thing you are, so you will probably get some useful advice.

If you do get an extension work by making any of these or other changes, the nice thing to do is to send a message to the extension's developer so that the patches can be available to others.