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20

Feb

2008

Essential Joomla 1.5 extensions
Written by David Towers   

Joomla 1.5 extensions With Joomla 1.5 coming out of beta at the end of January, the new version of Joomla has already got some great extensions. We thought it would be helpful to share what we consider to be some of the essential extensions for Joomla 1.5.

We have chosen the extensions we particularly like and are using on some of the websites we have up and running on Joomla 1.5. In this post will be mentioning extensions to help SEO, customise blogs, display images and manage communities.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) extensions for Joomla 1.5

While Joomla 1.5 is an improvement on Joomla 1.0.1x for search engine optimisation, we still advise using extensions to make sure your website performs to its full potential in terms of getting indexed. The following two extensions from Joomlatwork will enable you to have truly search engine friendly URLs and give you more control of your meta tags:

  • Smartsef - For Search engine friendly URL's
  • SEF patch - For better meta tag control (you'll need to patch Joomla 1.5 core files)

Look out for sh404sef which is coming soon to Joomla 1.5. Yannick Gaultier has released an early beta version (link) which has most of the same features as sh404sef for Joomla 1.0.1x. This extension enables you to have SEO friendly URLs, improved meta tag management and add h1 tags around the article titles. We think Yannick's sh404sef patch for Joomla 1.0.1 is excellent (we use it here at Good Web Practices) and we're looking forward to the extension coming out of beta for Joomla 1.5.

Customising your blog in Joomla 1.5

You can make your blog look and function better by adding these 4 extensions:

  • JomComment - The best comment system for Joomla 1.5 in our opinion
  • Blog post calender - Shows the date of the blog post in a neat css format next to the blog post title
  • Blog post avatar - Adds the avatar/gravatar of the author next to the blog post title
  • Adsense module - The easy way to add Google Adsense to your website
  • Joomap - A simple sitemap extension which generates both HTML and XML sitemaps

Displaying images in Joomla 1.5

There are already lots of great ways to show images in Joomla 1.5. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • JSN ImageShow - A commercial flash slideshow plugin. It costs $30 but if your doing a professional project it's worth the money.
  • High Slide - A lightbox type effect that zooms open an image without fading out the page

Fostering interactivity in Joomla 1.5

This extension is simply a must if you want to manage user subscriptions on your website:

Look out in the near future for phpBB3 forum integration for Joomla 1.5! This is exciting news that is going to make Joomla 1.5 even more attractive!

 

Have you come across a Joomla 1.5 extension that you have found useful and think we should add?

Comments (42)Add Comment
0
kingbt
March 01, 2008
89.44.53.88
Votes: +15
...

In my opinion mxcomment is better than jom comment, xmap then joomap and jomsef ARTIO then smartsef

0
Hummerbie
March 02, 2008
84.85.201.221
Votes: +1
...

@david: Nice overview of some 1.5 components, but for Joomap you need the Lecacy plugin active, so not really clean 1.5 there yet.

@Kingbt: I don't like Artio, because of it's sponsors links in the Free version, and I can't find the true 1.5 version there either.

David Towers
David Towers
March 04, 2008
205.167.7.18
Votes: +3
...

Thanks for the comments KingBt and Hummerbie!

I agree that having to use legacy mode is a serious weakness for Joomap. Sh404sef also requires using legacy mode which is a shame...

I think that together you make a good point that Xmap could be considered as a good alternative to Joomap.

0
Kyle Ledbetter
March 06, 2008
70.124.82.147
Votes: -1
...

Agreed, Xmap works great in 1.5, we're using it for out new Joomla Template Site: www.JoomlaPraise.com
Some other extensions we love for 1.5:
* RSform is our new fav for forms in 1.0 and 1.5
* docMAN of course is a must have
* EM Slideshow is a great frontpage slideshow for 1.5
* We LOVE the phpBB3 forum bridge from Rocketwerx

David Towers
David Towers
March 06, 2008
205.167.7.18
Votes: -1
...

Hi Kyle! Welcome to Good Web Practices! Your website looks great by the way! I'm looking forward to seeing the templates and extensions you'll bring out in the future.

Thanks for sharing with us some of the extensions you're using at http://www.JoomlaPraise.com and the extensions you consider essential for Joomla 1.5!

0
great
March 22, 2008
69.177.131.174
Votes: +1
...

great art.

0
J.Mihai
March 25, 2008
86.106.47.46
Votes: -1
...

Nice article. It is such a pitty there are so few extensions available for Joomla 1.5, even with legacy more on...

Steve | Hannisdal Express
Steve | Hannisdal Express
March 28, 2008
76.102.103.126
Votes: +0
...

What is the status of sh404SEF for 1.5? I looked at his site and it doesn't give any inclination of when it will be native for 1.5.

Also, I've heard that legacy mode is a bad thing, but what exactly does it do? Does it add some sort of abstraction layer to make things run and therefore slow down the site? Again, I've heard it isn't great, but I'm not sure what it does.

Thanks.

Steve

0
Yannick Gaultier
March 30, 2008
84.103.202.35
Votes: +6
...

Hi,

Good question. As for sh404SEF, I have not started anything in direction of removing the legacy plugin requirement. I would not expect that to be really hard, but it is just a huge amount of work, mostly for the backend.
As for how bad the legacy plugin is, it basically only "recreates" the classes and behaviors of 1.0.x using 1.5 functions. I only looked superficially, but I can't imagine there would be significant penalities in using it. Any real data on this would be appreciated. Please note however that preliminary testing did find J!1.5 (w/o) leg. mode) to be 20% slower than 1.0. I think next releases will focus on perf. optimization though.
Rgds

0
m0nb0f
July 01, 2008
89.84.212.129
Votes: +1
...

David T, could you tell me how can I download http://extensions.joomla.org/c...Itemid,35/ for Joomla 1.5 ?
Thanks

David Towers
David Towers
July 01, 2008
87.90.44.16
Votes: +2
...

You can download the Adsense module here:
http://www.joomlaspan.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=6&sobi2Id=1&Itemid=3

0
m0nb0f
July 01, 2008
89.84.212.129
Votes: +0
...

Ok, thanks, I see it after, sorry smilies/grin.gif
But could you explain me the difference between clicksafe and Reg versions ?
Are we agree that the 2 modules needs an subscription to Google Ads Service for "win" money ?

David Towers
David Towers
July 01, 2008
87.90.44.16
Votes: +1
...

Using the ClickSafe feature you can select to block certain IP numbers from seeing Google AdSense ads on your site. Reg is the regular version.

Yes you need a subscription to Google Adsense to earn money.

0
m0nb0f
July 01, 2008
89.84.212.129
Votes: +0
...

Ok, thanks. I will try the Reg version so. I don't see what is the benefit to block certain IP numbers from seeing Google AdSense...
Regards

David Towers
David Towers
July 01, 2008
87.90.44.16
Votes: +2
...

The benefit is that you can block your own IP address so that the ads don't appear when you are on the site.

0
m0nb0f
July 01, 2008
89.84.212.129
Votes: +0
...

ok, except that view that I do not have a fixed IP address, I did no interest smilies/grin.gif

0
New Cars India
September 14, 2008
84.64.60.35
Votes: +0
...

Thanks for the information Man. Can I find any good free image slideshow extensions. I was to just do some experiment on joomla. If you know any please do inform me.

0
yankeewig
October 12, 2008
72.15.120.125
Votes: +1
...

Can anyone help me get the URLs working for RSforms with sh404SEF? There doesn't seem to be much out there, thought someone must have found an extension somewhere!

David Towers
David Towers
November 28, 2008
193.23.120.250
Votes: +0
...

Yankeewig, I'd recommend trying the sh404sef forums.

0
kisa
December 01, 2008
76.93.53.27
Votes: +0
...

and this is it.

0
Ken
February 11, 2009
196.0.7.128
Votes: +0
...

This is cool

0
name
March 20, 2009
194.204.116.50
Votes: +0
...

still dont understand!

0
Jeff Parker
May 12, 2009
68.51.8.184
Votes: +2
...

I Cannot get RSforms to work with the SEO Friendly URLS enables. What do I need to do to change it without disabling it? Here is my Site, Look and see whats wrong PLEASE! http://www.todaysinsurancesolution.com/

0
Lav
June 10, 2009
66.46.13.223
Votes: +1
...

Thanks for the useful article!

0
David Jones
August 24, 2009
130.113.121.221
Votes: +0
...

It's been more than a year since you posted your opinion on essential Joomla extensions.

Based on your recent experience, it would be great if you could make a follow-up post with your updated opinion of what are now the most essential Joomla extensions, ...

nick
nick
September 28, 2009
58.106.5.10
Votes: +0
...

This is a really good tool

0
web design sydney
February 04, 2010
210.50.134.50
Votes: -1
...

Thank you for showing us this article, it is really very well written and well constructed from top to the bottom. I found out it is easy to follow your tips.

0
Joomla Webside
March 09, 2010
41.222.11.123
Votes: +1
...

Have to agree with kyle, docMan really sorts out alot!

Overall, very nice article.

0
Andrew Wheeler
April 19, 2010
81.62.9.131
Votes: +1
...

Hi David,

Great list, thanks for sharing.

One point I would like to stress a little more is making sure you keep the plugins updated to the latest versions. Joomla is great, but to avoid hacking and site downtime the site must be patch with the latest security updates.

Thanks again for the article!

Andrew

0
Alrod
May 05, 2010
200.121.54.9
Votes: +0
...

Hi,
could anybody share with me the frontpage slideshow for joomla 1.5?
I need it because I'm practicing with joomla.
Thanks so much.

0
Alrod
May 05, 2010
200.121.54.9
Votes: +0
...

Hi,
could anybody share with me the frontpage slideshow for joomla 1.5?
I need it because I'm practicing with joomla.
Thanks so much.

my e-mail es: alrod321@gamil.com

0
Joomla Development
June 04, 2010
122.164.178.87
Votes: +0
...

Excellent post. Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write it!

0
Melanie Tan
November 18, 2010
110.159.178.145
Votes: +0
...

I came across a component for starting a blog and it runs in Joomla! cms.. David, I think you should include this cool blog engine Easy Blog from the people at Stackideas.com coz it really lives up to its name, easy to set up and maintain. Do check out http://stackideas.com. I think they have a twitter id @stackideas smilies/cool.gif

0
Search engine optimization blog
November 26, 2010
122.168.175.112
Votes: +0
...

Really what I found, trying to gain traffic and construction of link in the comments that you made a high bounce rate, it is worth nothing. Nice post thanks for sharing !!!

0
BMW digital watches
May 23, 2011
76.73.26.109
Votes: +0
...

The content of the attractive, I hope everyone can share!-BMW digital watches

0
mira
June 02, 2011
110.137.138.63
Votes: +0
...

thanks u for your information.

0
Burung
June 15, 2011
202.184.108.208
Votes: +0
...

Hi,
could anybody share with me the forum joomla 1.5(version free)?
I need it because I'm practicing with joomla.
Thanks so much.

0
imitation-watches shop
August 13, 2011
218.19.243.234
Votes: +0
...

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? Then come to imitation-watches. All kinds of best and http://www.imitation-watchs.co...88_90.html
are available here.

0
Jonathan J.
November 17, 2011
64.183.30.236
Votes: +0
...

This plugin in works great. It helped my site have a smooth transition from wordpress to Joomla with out skipping a beat on the SEO side. Hair Salon Marketing

0
Louis vuitton taschen
March 21, 2012
69.197.184.26
Votes: +0
...

d construction of link in the comments that you made a high bounce rate, it is worth nothing. Nice post thanks

0
Gucci taschen
March 21, 2012
69.197.184.26
Votes: +0
...

nd construction of link in the comments that you made a high bounce rate, it is worth nothing

0
martinkaden
March 21, 2012
182.72.66.214
Votes: +0
...

Rize involved in enterprise software development. We specialize in Joomla Development, Drupal Development, WordPress development and Magento development services, Android Apps development, iPhone Apps development.

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