Datasheet

With the release of version 1.5, Joomla has really pulled ahead of the rest of the CMS pack. Gone is the
somewhat convoluted application structure of previous revisions. The new foundation boasts a clear and
powerful application framework that makes creating everything from new templates to plug-ins a breeze.
Version 1.5 implements a much better model of separating code from presentation design. The new struc-
ture helps Web designers and graphic artists, who won’t have to struggle with the programming instruc-
tions in order to create a new template. It also lets developers craft the logic of the system autonomously
from many of the display considerations.
Who Needs This Book
If you have been using Joomla for any length of time, you probably understand the basics pretty well.
You know how to add content, register users, add sections and categories, upload a new template, and
how to install an extension (plug-in, component, or module). That’s just the tip of the iceberg of Joomla’s
power. The areas you’ll want to focus on will vary with the role you play in Joomla deployment.
Web masters can focus on the implementation, deployment, and administration of the Joomla site. Web
designers can fashion the artwork and presentation that produce a visually outstanding site interface.
Web developers can embrace the flexibility of extension programming to master the art of add-on creation.
Web Masters
Web masters probably have the broadest responsibility in terms of polishing a Joomla Web site. The Web
master always has final responsibility for the site functioning properly. That makes understanding the
underlying technology critical. Regardless of whether you’re a Web master who runs a single hobbyist
Web site or an organizational administrator overseeing a large multi-server Joomla deployment, most of
the information in this book will prove useful for you.
Joomla is a complicated system. Although the barrier to entry is extremely low given the ease of system
installation, mastering Joomla will open up a cornucopia of extra functionality that is simply unavailable
to beginners. Not only will your Joomla implementation be optimized for the best performance, but it will
also be important that you ensure that the site is secure from hackers.
You may have Joomla designers and/or developers working for you, in which case this book will provide
an excellent roadmap of what is possible within the Joomla application framework. If you’re the entire
design and development team rolled into one, nearly all of the content will be relevant. Your administra-
tive tasks will almost certainly include direct or indirect administration of the site itself.
For Web master administrators, the book includes the tools and techniques to let you do the following:
❑ Build online virtual communities through Joomla interaction technology to harness the Web
trend embodied by sites such as MySpace and YouTube.
❑ Maintain the Web server, the Joomla site, and the SQL database back end so that they work
together like a well-oiled machine.
❑ Back up your Joomla data, as well as the site and all of the configuration settings.
❑ Plan your site using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques, and optimize Joomla for
search engine spidering.
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Chapter 1: Introducing Joomla!
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