Hi folks

 

I recently installed Joomla and have been able to set up the site etc to how I want it to look and created my categories and navigation for public and registered users. Everything is working however I want to improve the basic options I have and my questions are around registered users and their options.

 

I am currently using the basic registration form which works fine for now

 

• Name
  
• Username
  
• Email
  
• Password
  

 

How do i add extra fields to the registration form without losing exisiting entries or messing up the database? and would these extra fields automatically show when they select 'edit details'?

 

My next question is based around once users are logged.

 

At present I can see a list of registered users but to create a contact list based on the users I have to do this manually for each contact (Then I assign the contact to a user)

 

I want the contact list to simply show name and contact number, the form goes to their regsitered email address.

 

So I would prefer each registered user to be automatically added in the 'contact list' or at the very least register and administer more contact details such as address, phone number and job title

 

Any ideas?

 

The help options by the way don't cover the info above, I have already looked.

There are two options available to you as far as getting more user information is concerned. The first is to edit the existing com_user component and pass in the additional details to the controller to add them to the database. The second is to keep com_user as it is so that the basic registration remains as it is and then create your own com_superuser component to let a user go back to add the other details you want: This is the less risky option since there's no danger of you screwing with the original com_user component. Check the Joomla extensions directory: there are certain to be ready made components to do the latter and plug-ins which alter the existing log-in (com_user). They may or may not be easy to download and install, so try a couple, there are lots to choose from.

 

The easiest way that occurs to me on the second point is to create another custom component com_userContacts. Are you familiar with the model-view-controller interface? You already have everything about the user stored with mySQL (after you do the above) so you use a model to get all that data ready for use in the component, then display it with the the view and template files. You'll want to be familiar with php, mySQL and html to do all this.

Excellent thanks for the quick advice, I will certainly look into the components side for option one to allow them to add extra info, at worst I create a new login form.

 

I suppose the second option will only apply once I get the first one working how I want!

 

Cheers again, much appreciated.

You should use a component like Community Builder for the first option. It allows custom fields and user profiles. Just switch off the parts of CB you don't need.

Just a quick update - thanks to those who provided advice first of all - much appreciated. The site Iam doing is not public yet and is awaiting sign off.

 

I installed SimpleCalendar (found here) and it works an absolute treat.

 

Registered users can now create and amend entries based upon their own stipulated availability. It's basically going to be a site for match officials to advertise their availability and for clubs etc to book them.

 

So the option to add/edit are set to only show for registered users and the content is available to public view.

 

I have added in my user own 'Users Welcome guide' for the site a simple paragraph saying to use the contact info here to ensure there 'registered' info is not compromised or made public if they wished. The 'Additional info' area is also a great option for the users to expand on what they can provide etc.

 

I am now looking at what other components and functionality I can bolt on to the website! All good stuff :-)