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Which template would you recommend?
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- William Brooks
- Newbie
- Posts: 16
- Thanks: 0
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I want to create a new version of my local Historical Society website. Which template would allow me to create the following?
Title and Organization Logo/trademark at the top, possibly with the login fields too. I also like to flashing news item I saw on one template.
Below the title across the top there would be a series of drop-down menus linking to sub-sections
Below that the page would be divided 2/3rd left and 1/3 right, with the large 2/3rds section having a rotating image with its description
below or next to the rotating image. Below that there would be a general text area.
In the right 1/3rd, there would be have a calendar or list of upcoming events, an area to conduct polls and items were are selling.
On lower level pages they would have the same top navigation and title, but the bottom would either be all one field for text or have the same 2/3rds one third set up but with the right hand column would containing a sub menu for that section.
With one of your templates and tutorials, will I have enough information to be able to create such a site?
Thanks,
Bud
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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Standard comment:
Before you get started, really think about the layout of your site and look at all the template positions in each demo. You can find them under the Features > Module Positions.
If you are just getting started, choosing a template with module positions that match, or closely match what you envision is the key to getting up and running with the least amount of pain.
After that, the aesthetics, colors and the like, are much easier to change than the structure.
Nothing is worse than choosing a template that looks good only to find halfway through building your site it's lacking module positions or the layout isn't working.
It's not the end of the world if this happens, module position can be added, but it entails 'hacking' the template, editing the index.php, template.css, etc.
If the layout you envision is fairly simple, then almost any template will do, and you can choose what suits your fancy visually.
If it's going to be more complex, then thinking of the template's layout, in my opinion, is the key.
I want to say, 'Nothing is impossible', although some things may be, but a little proactive planning eliminates a lot of reactive coding.
I.e., why choose a template with only 20 positions when you need 25 and have to mod the template by hand coding 5 more positions when you could choose a template with 30 positions and use 25?
In reference to your post:
Title and Organization Logo/trademark at the top, possibly with the login fields too. I also like to flashing news item I saw on one template.
>>> If you want the login to be at the top, as opposed to the left or right columns, check for a template that has this feature.
Below the title across the top there would be a series of drop-down menus linking to sub-sections
>>> That the standard setup for menus
Below that the page would be divided 2/3rd left and 1/3 right, with the large 2/3rds section having
>>> Most template are set up with three columns, and the side columns are collapsible, i.e., if nothing is published to the left column, the template will have the 2/3rd – 1/3rd layout you are looking for. Some templates, have a main column with a choice of left or right which would do the same thing.
a rotating image with its description below or next to the rotating image. Below that there would be a general text area.
>>> OK – give some thought to this one – look at the image rotators carefully, the type of rotators you see at the top of the recent templates all use the same component but are coded to display your images and text differently, e.g., text overlay, below, next to, etc. Taking the rotator from template ‘A’ and putting it in template ‘B’ is not a ‘simple task’. Of course, you could use a thitd party component and not worry about this
In the right 1/3rd, there would be have a calendar or list of upcoming events, an area to conduct polls and items were are selling.
>>> You can get calendar components for free over at joomla.org. Polls are a standard feature.
On lower level pages they would have the same top navigation and title, but the bottom would either be all one field for text or have the same 2/3rds one third set up but with the right hand column would containing a sub menu for that section.
>>> Simple enough, again if nothing is published in the left or right column, the main column goes full width.
With one of your templates and tutorials, will I have enough information to be able to create such a site?
>>> More than enough!! And when you get stuck, we’ll be here.
Notes:
One more suggestion when starting a new project and have chosen a template:
Create two databases and perform two install of the template, one with sample data, one without.
(You are given the option on screen six during the installation process.)
Then, using the install with the sample data as a guide, build the site using the template that had no data installed.
It will be completely empty, so it may look a but scary at first, but once you start publishing Menus, Modules, Articles, etc., it make it really easy to see the changes you make while your site comes to life.
When I first started with Joomla I found it very difficult to build a site with sample data installed.
With everything already published, searching for it on the back end, editing content, deleting unwanted content, etc., was tough.
Not to mention deleting some stuff gives you undesirable results, broken links, etc.
IMO, I think you can set up a site from zero and add all your content to the site without the sample data in less then half the time it takes digging through all the data in a full install.
Another advantage is by the install with the sample data intact, all the features are included so you can quickly reference them, along with the tutorials that are included.
Note: In the download section, for each template, there are PDF tutorials as well.
Good luck! - Thanks,
jim
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- William Brooks
- Newbie
- Posts: 16
- Thanks: 0
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JEM,
Thanks for responding.
After reading your recommendations, I am wonder if why I am frustrated is because my installation of Joomla through Go Daddy is not done correctly and/or I have installed the template incorrectly. I have installed MediaMogul because it meets many of my desired features.
After logging in administratively, when I preview it some items seem to be missing or not functioning properly; the rotating picture field, the newsflash at the top is not in the red area, the login fields don't appear at the top,and the text in the right hand menu is not formated within the background, as well as the colored separations on the right are missing.
Then when I click on the template name in template manager and change one of the parameters, the writable label at the top changes to unwritable.
Before I consume a lot more time trying to figure this out, am I doing something wrong or is there something wrong with the installation?
Why didn't the rotating picture field show up? What isn't the flash new in the red area, etc?
I am using Firefox on a Mac with OS 10.5 if that matters. The ip for my site is 72.167.88.67/ .
Thanks,
Bud
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- Jamesso
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 500
- Thanks: 0
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Hey William,
The reason your installation looks different is because GoDaddy installs the basic Joomla package and the RocketTheme demo has additional content designed to show off the template. If you would like to achieve the same look as the demo site then you will need to download the RocketLauncher for your template and upload that to your server via FTP.
Here is a link to the RocketLauncher for MediaMogul: www.rockettheme.com/option,com_docman/ta.../gid,327/Itemid,113/
Regards,
Jim -
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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For quick reference:
Unzip the Rocket Launcher.
FTP the folder and its contents to, depending on your platform, public_html or httdocs
Alternately, you can upload the zipped RL package and extract it on your server through the control panel.
Before you start, you’ll need to create a database on your server.
Once you’ve uploaded the Rocket Launcher and created a database, browse to the folder,
Ex: www.mysite.com/template_directory_name
You don't have to navigate to the installation folder, if Joomla hasn't been installed yet, it will navigate to the install directory automatically. (How cool is that?!)
Note: It's a really simple point, but don't be confused by the ' www.mysite.com/ ' replace 'mysite.com' with your site's URL, for example, here it would be www.rockettheme.com/template_directory_name
The installation screen will appear.
Screen 1:
Choose language
Screen 2:
Pre-installation Check
Screen 3:
License
Screen 4:
You’ll need the following info to make the database connection with Joomla:
Host Name
Username (for the database you’ve created)
Password (for the database you’ve created)
Database Name (for the database you’ve created)
Screen 5:
You can skip this and use an FTP client
Screen6:
Site Name: This will appear in the title bar of your browser.
Your e-mail: the address you want to use to receive mail from the site
Password: this is for the admin login for Joomla, it can be different than the DB password.
Install Sample Data?
If you want to replicate the site with all the sample content, click on ‘Install Sample Data’.
If you don’t want to install the sample data, click next, a prompt will appear confirming that you want to skip.
Screen 7:
You’ll be prompted to delete or rename the installation directory.
Before you can view the site or login as administrator, you’ll need to browse to the directory in your FTP client or CP and do so. - Thanks,
jim
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- William Brooks
- Newbie
- Posts: 16
- Thanks: 0
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Jem,
Joomla's already installed on the Go Daddy server. I have uploaded the template as well as zipped and uploaded the RL. When I unzip RL, do I move all the RL files into the Media Mogul folder?
Thanks,
Bud
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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No, the Rocket Launcher contains an install of Joomla along with the template and the sample content if you decided to use it.
It's for a 'fresh' install only.
I'm not familiar with GoDaddy but I imagine you can create a new DB in the CP.
To install the Rocket Launcher, you'd need to create another database and run the install. - Thanks,
jim
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- Sam Taylor
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 523
- Thanks: 0
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I have a godaddy client...
Login to your godaddy account and get to the HOSTING CONTROL CENTER.
From there you:
1. Goto the FTP Client. (Content>FTP Client)
2. Delete the old joomla install. It is preferable to use your own FTP Client as the GoDaddy is not for large amounts of file movement.
3. Goto the SQL Database (Databases>mySQL)
4. Check the X button to the right of the database that was previously installed.
5. Create a new database. Make sure its php5 when selecting that option. (Click Create Database / upper right)
6. Enter the name and pass. This name is the dbase name and username.
Make them good, write them down. You will use this info for the RT Launcher install.
Now you can upload the RTTheme with the J1.5 launcher.
7. Login to your FTP Client. (Preferrable not the one on GoDaddy)
8. Upload the contents of the RT Launcher folder.
10. Install from the web browser. There is a tutorial for the whole RT Launcher you can follow from here.
Good luck.
EDIT:
PS- I would pick Versatility 4. Its got everything you need to setup anything anywhere. Also, it runs very light and is easy to customize with the fonts, colors, and all that to suit your needs. Media Mogul is very heavy and GoDaddy is called SlowDaddy for a reason. Try and keep your content and themes as lean as possible. Good luck again. - Last Edit: 16 years 6 months ago by Sam Taylor.
- Great Links:
Tips Tricks and Tutorial Links
phpbb3 How To: Add a new module position
Top Tips For Support
rokBox Login
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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Sam Taylor wrote:
I have a godaddy client...
Sam,
I'm wondering how may databases you're allotted?
Is it necessary to delete the current install?
Can you run multiple installs of Joomla in sub directories for development / testing? - Thanks,
jim
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- Sam Taylor
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 523
- Thanks: 0
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JEM wrote:
Sam Taylor wrote:I have a godaddy client...
Sam,
I'm wondering how may databases you're allotted?
Is it necessary to delete the current install?
Can you run multiple installs of Joomla in sub directories for development / testing?
You can make up to 25 for my package. It's not necessary to delete the old one but hey, if he is starting fresh or using other databases, might as well.
I would delete the current install but thats just me. He could just overwrite the old install, I guess. No terminal access is a real drag and why I am moving myself and a clients hosting elsewhere. - Great Links:
Tips Tricks and Tutorial Links
phpbb3 How To: Add a new module position
Top Tips For Support
rokBox Login
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