I build sites by hand coding html/css but want to learn how to integrate Joomla. Can anyone recommend any articles to help me out? Are Joomla sites just built using templates or can I still use html/css to layout my site?

 

Thanks

Kerstey

Hi there,

 

Yeah Joomla is template system, I have not used it in ages but i know the last time i did it through me a wee bit but i wass rushing lol so its my own fault lol. Wordpress however is really easy to modify the templates its simple html/css with php code to integrate wordpress.

 

Hope this helps

Joe

Joomla uses a template system but it still uses HTML, so you can make your own layouts then convert them to Joomla templates. Its fairly easy, there are probably lots of tutorials on it. You just need to specify where u want content/modules to appear using an special xml tag e.g <jdoc:include type="component" /> were you want to content to appear.

Wordpress is great, so easy to modify and style, also there are lots of tutorials available the best one i have found his Here

It's good you're getting into Joomla. It's now becoming a trend due to it's easy-to-use CMS which is ideal for clients. I think WordPress still beats the hell out of everything else but you should always be learning constantly.

 

Visit creativeshelf.co.uk for more tips and tutorials.

Joomla is a very popular and robust CMS system. We have used Joomla for over 100s of websites. Each CMS has its +ve and -ve points. If you are developing a website for blogging purpose then I would recommend go for wordpress. For coporate sites, Joomla is a good open source CMS available. contact our CMS expert at irishwebexperts.com for free consultaion and low cost solutions for your requirements.

 

Paul

irishwebexperts.com - A low cost web solution provider!

I've used Joomla a couple of times for projects and found that the easiest way to template is to download a blank or skeleteon theme. They're pretty much all set up, it's just a case of adding your css and html.

 

The following link is for a decent tutorial. It for 1.6, I think some of it comes directly from the 1.5 tutorial but it works in a very similar way. As I said, I'd start with the skeleton theme version as it's a good way to learn and thankfully, Joomla's learning curve isn't all that steep.

 

http://www.compassdesigns.net/joomla-blog/joomla-16-template-tutorial-with-960-grid

Any particular reason you are choosing Joomla?

 

Unlike the rave reviews from some people above I've always found Joomla to be a bloated pile of crap that clients, designers and developers alike can't understand. The admin panel is not intuitive and the whole structure of the app is confusing.

 

Learning the nuts and bolts of Wordpress or Expression Engine makes a lot more sense (and provides a better solution than Joomla). Clients seem to love the Admin panel in both.