Product Description

This book is about Joomla (1.0.12), the popular open source content management system. It's a step by step guide to creating a successful web site. As well as a general overview of the CMS, the book explains the trickier concepts of setting up a Joomla site. Lastly the manual examines more general topics like how SEO can be maximized with Joomla and how to create specific types of site. The book is aimed at those that are using Joomla to create a web site, either for themselves or web designers doing so for their clients. It's easy to read and low on technical jargon. It doesn't assume you know PHP, CSS or any other technical acronyms. The author, Barrie North has a rich background in education (a former teacher) and is a partner of joomlashack.com, a provider of professional templates and custom Joomla services. He also runs one of the most popular blogs about Joomla, compassdesigns.net. His combination of Joomla expertise and engaging writing has produced a book accessible to everyone.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #944684 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 264 pages

Customer Reviews

Must-have, great content, with typical "self-published" flaws
This book is the work of an experienced and skilled Joomla! template developer.

Particularly useful: The discussion of the flexible use of sections and categories finally made Joomla! website creation fall into place for me. It seems straightforward, but Sections and Categories don't necessarily match the site's menu structure. The Section/Category coverage is brief in the book, but more in-depth and helpful than most other books on Joomla!, which usually just urge you to get it right, without really explaining how. (The Mambo "Visual Blueprint" book also has an excellent treatment of this, which can be directly applicable to Joomla!)

Also particularly useful: "The Least You Need to Know" sections that provide a good overview of key ideas, and Chapter Summaries that are brief but helpful.

The book covers some of the most valuable Joomla! extensions (many of which don't yet work with Joomla! 1.5).

You will need to purchase the "Joomlashack School Shack Pack" in order to make the best use of the book, but it's probably worth it, at a cost of $97. Hiring a developer would cost a lot more than that. (It would be nicer, of course, if the template came with the book.)

I give this four stars instead of five is because of frequent typos throughout the book. The book is obviously self-published; I look forward to the more professionally typeset (and hopefully, proofed) upcoming book on Joomla! 1.5.

These reviews are bogus
Notice how many two line "reviews" were posted on August 28th and 29th, 2007. That's ridiculous.

There are better and more up-to-date guides available free on the web. Don't bother with this.

Clear manual, good info
This book was great for a new user with little or no Joomla experience.

I read this book through in one sitting and gained a lot of insight to Joomla. It is pretty clear in the way it presents info. Readers are guided through creating a basic Joomla template.

As an advanced user, I would like to have more examples of creating working templates in less of a click-this, click that step by step instruction. The examples were a little hard to follow. It would be better to have an overview of the process followed by instructions. I found myself clicking through the examples not knowing what I was trying to accomplish.