i know that's a broad question but i've tried 3 times now to install it on a site of mine to see what it was and what it does and i'm just thoroughly confused.. i've worked with lots of scripts in the past - wordpress, zen cart, indexu, phpbb, etc. etc.. but joomla and mambo just confuse me.. Joomla looks like a complicated blogging platform?? everything seems to be revolving around articles, wrapped up in categories, wrapped up in sections.. i know they say it is a CMS but is it just a glorified version of Wordpress?? I can't find a SIMPLE layman's explanation anywhere.. any help would be appreciated..
First of all Joomla is not particular blogging software! although you can transform for blogging using plugins! Joomla is an open source program that allows you to create your site, information portal and set of dynamic pages. It can be updated using less technical information through dedicated Control Panel. Yeah its modification & maintenance is far difficult but after Wordpress it is considered as prime CMS
Joomla is a just a CMS - which can by used for as multipurpose You can blog - make website - friends network - video sites - freelance - classifieds - anything your heart desires is possible in joomla... Hope it helps...
maybe that's my problem infogle.. you stated: You can blog - make website - friends network - video sites - freelance - classifieds - anything your heart desires is possible in joomla... is there ANYWHERE documented in plain simple terms how to do ANY of these tasks?? certainly not Joomla's site.. like where would i go to find out how to configure joomla as a classified site? or a friends network?? it's just not intuitive..
Jezzz, that's another one of my problems - and this is not a personal attack on you.. but you stated: Joomla is an open source program that allows you to create your site, information portal and set of dynamic pages. It can be updated using less technical information through dedicated Control Panel. first of all, in plain easy to understand terms, the average person would not know what 'informational portal' or 'dynamic pages' means.. and they would also not know what a 'dedicated Control Panel' means.. I'm more technical than the average person, but still struggle with the ambiguity of explanations as to what Joomla is.. i'd like answers to question like: can a create a website for msyself with products to sell? and how would i do that? can i create a classified ads site? and how?? when you upload the script, and they ask if you'd like the sample data, maybe if they gave you options instead of the crazy complicated sample data they include.. options like; create sample data for a store, create sample data for a blog, create sample data for a real estate site, etc, etc..
The simple laymans description is Joomla is just a CMS. It has a bit of a learning curve. It's not that hard to install compared to other scripts but not quite as easy as Wordpress. It is not a simple bloggin platform. Joomla is much easier to manipulate data with modules than wordpress. The important thing to note about Joomla is you must create Sections, Categories, and Menus. Then create you content articles and link them all together. When you master that you'll be well on your way to mastering Joomla. Joomla is very structured and things need to be done in order and connected properly to function and make sense.
internetmarketingiq - now that was the best description i've heard so far.. but if this is true (your description) how in the world can you create 'stores' and classified ads sites since it all revolves around articles..
"Articles" in Joomla means "Pages" (yes, kinda confusing). To create stores,classified ads sites,mp3 download sites,photo gallery,etc etc, there are hundreds of plugins out there (one of them is the official itself at http://extensions.joomla.org/ ) ready for use (a la plug-and-play)
It does resemble Wordpress but the functionality can be extended to include things such as Classified ads and Auctions. It's basically a more advanced CMS than Wordpress and can be used for larger projects. (Although Wordpress 2.7 has been extended to more than just a blogging platform). Some extensions (called Components/Modules) are free and some are paid (commercial). Basically a Component is something large like a forum or a directory. A module is a part of the site that can display information from a component. I think the reason Joomla is so confusing is that there is too much to it. Also the concept is so brilliant that no one can believe it's open source. It's not just a blog or a shopping cart or a forum. It's all of them.
Install Joomla then install the components and modules for Virtue mart it will give you the best store around...
joomla is a content management script. it's a great program. you could almost do everything with it. when you installed the script, you have the basic outlook and features. you will be able to download the extensions, plugins and templates for your site. pretty good program. i'm personally running a financing site using joomla... alkafiz.com. i got very confused and disliked joomla when i first tried it. but when you know how to use it, you will love it.
you can add any code into any modules on joomla. if you cant code a specific module then you can use jumi which will allow any code to be used. A bit of advice if you want to use joomla. always install iot with content not blank. starting from a blank canvas is daunting in joomla. you will work better learn more and have a better looking site quicker if you use things like rocket launcher from rocket theme which loads a totla joomla site with template and content for you to mess around with. That said joomla is by far the most powerful CMS with so many very good features and extensions i use it for almost every site i own. unless its a forum when i use vbulletin
To start learning Joomla, check out the Beginners Guide. It can lead you through installation and how to go about setting up your first site. The forum and documentation are good for figuring your your problems. If you had the problem, someone else probably did too, and they were assisted in working it out. Google for Joomla beginners guide, and you can also google for joomla video tutorials. Both are easy to find.