I m a newbie to joomla and i installed joomla 1.5 for my site www.t20cricket.co.in I m having problem in installing new template n plugins I installed components and modules through the installer but when i try to install template it says "installation failed" and one another thing how to install plugin because there is no option of installing plugins some mambot named thing is there and if i try to install plugin in that folder then it also the msg comes that "instalation failed" please help me out i have been stuck for few days on this only
You don't really install templates (ignore the template installer bit under installers), you upload them to the templates folder then choose them under site>template manager > site templates - then tick the one you want to use and hit the default button. There are three sorts of plugins, sort of, but they're not actually called plugins inside Joomla - you either install a mambot, module or component under installers, if you get an error it's usually because you're clicking the mambot installer and trying to upload a module, or vice versa etc. The file you install has to be a zip file, module files are usually called mod_filename.zip, components are usually com_filename.zip, mambots are usually called bot_filename.zip - it's not always the case though so sometimes you have to try one of the other two installer options if it doesn't work the first time. Some components, like Community Builder for instance, do have their own 'plugin' installer though once you've installed them to Joomla, but most do not.
I just find it more reliable to upload them via FTP. Especially seeing as the original poster said they were having problems with it. You have to upload the template anyway via FTP if you're going to alter it in anyway, make your own additions, unless you're mad enough to edit the template and css through the Joomla admin too.
No (^__^) ..you don't have to upload templates via ftp and stuff lol. The template install option from Joomla 1.5 admin panel works just great! Just make sure your templates folder is writeable (CHMOD it to 777) and the same while installing components/mod/bots. Just make sure your corresponding folders in the ftp are writable and then install anything you want...or else an error message is bound to appear. Joomla works like a charm! Long live Joomla Win Z Would appreciate any rep. if the above comment was useful to you.
I didn't say you "have to" upload templates via FTP, just that I prefer it that way. If you're going to be altering your templates only in Joomla admin without using FTP at all you aren't keeping a safe copy of what you've done. If you've downloaded a template that you never intend to alter or customize in any way then I guess using Joomla's template installer is cool, though if you're using FTP anyway to CHMOD the folder to 777 I don't really see the point in not uploading your template folder at the same time. If you're going to be altering the style sheet and template files to personalize your site it will be a total pain in the rear to keep doing it through Joomla admin, then checking your site to see the changes, then altering it in Joomla admin again until you get it right - then only having a copy of what you've done on the server. P.S. I'm pretty sure it's against DP rules to ask people for rep to be added?
Make sure the Template is actually for Joomla 1.5. Old templates designed for the old version will not upload via the installer. Also make sure you are actually uploading the correct file. Some designers zip both versions into a single zip file.