Revealed - 6 essential extensions for a Joomla magazine website
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To build a Joomla magazine website, besides choosing a suitable template to present the content, you should also install some other extensions. You know, an online magazine can't live without functionality ch as article comments, contact, etc.
Firstly, please make sure that you have installed Six must-have extensions for all Joomla websites. Secondly, let's take a look at the list of essential extensions for aJoomla magazine website below. Please note that, all of them are free. And I have tested to make sure that they work well.
Here we go!
Content Construction Kit - K2
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The main content of a magazine is articles. Definitely you can present basic articles with the Joomla core functionality. However, you can make your content more lively and useful with a content construction kit. I recommend K2 - a well-known extension. This extension allows you to create articles, add additional components such as rating system, social bookmark buttons and more.
- PROs:
- It allows you to create many essential additional components for an article such as rating system, social bookmark buttons and more.
- It has an Access Control Level (ACL) functionality to grant each staff member their own permissions.
- It allows you to log in from the front-end.
- CONs:
- There is no comprehensive documentation or instructions for users.
Articles Comments - JComments
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A great thing about an online magazine is that it allows readers to leave comments and get a reply. Yes, that is the functionality of a comment system, and JComment allows you to do that. Besides the main component, there are additional plug-ins and modules to help you show avatars, display the latest comments, etc.
- PROs:
- It has Spam prevention functionality with KCAPTCHA.
- You can manage comments both in the front-end and in the back-end.
- You can set which categories for JComments to work in.
- Multi-language support.
- You can block specific users from commenting on your website.
- You can import databases from JoomlaComment and K2 Comments into it.
- You can choose to turn on or turn off the comment system on individual articles.
- CONs:
- It doesn't allow users to comment by Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Forms - ChronoForms
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Forms are essential since they allow readers to subscribe to articles and contact to the website owner. So, you should install a form which allows users to create and customize their own forms. From my point of view, ChronoForms meets your needs.
- PROs:
- It has components available to help you create forms easily.
- You can dig into code or use the wizard button to build your own forms.
- CONs:
- There is no comprehensive documentation to help users get an overview of the extension functionality and usage.
- It is quite difficult to use.
Project & Task Management - ProjectFork
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Editors and writers might work online, so they need an online workspace where they can share the project and ideas each other. Projectfork gives you a solution right in the back-end of the website. Here, the administrator can manage projects - create new projects, keep track of their progress, assign tasks to the right members. It allows you to attach files to tasks, and users can comment on the tasks.
- PROs:
- It supports iPhone (with premium version).
- It is easy to use this extension.
- It can be used with other extensions - It can be combined with JomSocial and Community Builder.
- CONs:
- It is only suitable if there are a few projects. It doesn't work well if you have to manage a lot of projects.
- Limited features:
- The default design is poor and can't be customized.
- You cannot export the data to PDF or CSV files.
- You cannot connect tasks to the separate components of the website such as menus, articles and so on.
- You cannot quickly access the task you are working on.
Login protection - AdminExile
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By typing "/administrator" right after the URL, hackers can determine whether your website uses Joomla or not. Then they can crack the username and password to get access to your website.
No more worries since you have got another guard now - AdminExile. It adds a higher level of security to your website - an access key to the end of the URL which will redirect wrong entries to the homepage without ever seeing the administration login panel.
- PROs:
- It is easy to use.
- It is quick and stable.
- CONs:
- There is no clear documentation or instructions for users of what to do right after installation.
Admin Publishing - ND EditorSwitch
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"Creativity" doesn't mean dealing with big issues all the time. It is also small improvements which bring more convenience to users. And we say ND EditorSwitch is a creative product. It allows you to switch the default WYSIWYG editor in the top right corner in the back-end, without going to the Global Configuration.
With two clicks and one F5 button-press, you can choose your preferred editor. This tool totally saves your time.
- PROs:
- It is easy to use.
- It is quick and stable.
- CONs:
- It can be used in the back-end only, not in the front-end.
In conclusions
Below are some examples to help you get a clearer picture about Joomla magazine websites:
- http://magazine.joomla.org/
- http://www.prissymag.com/
- http://www.greenmuze.com/
- http://www.finc.nc/
- http://www.houstonnewcomerguides.com/
Now, it is your turn - Please make comments to share your experiences, or your thoughts, about essential extensions for a Joomla magazine website.
Comments
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Friday, 27 January 2012I prefer Disqus to manage the comments in Joomla
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Wednesday, 01 February 2012
@Abtop: Once install and activate the comment systems, it will be integrated into all individual articles. There is no option that allow readers to comment on some articles and not allow readers to comment on other articles.
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Tuesday, 07 February 2012
Commenting is enabled on a category by category basis, which means that all articles within a category may or may not be commented. Beyond that there are {jcomments off}{jcomments on} switches that override the global category setting for a particular article.
So yes, there is such an option. Please take time to learn the product before speaking about it. -
Wednesday, 08 February 2012
Hi Abtop,
I made a test with JComments again. Yes, there are 2 button "JComments ON" and "JComments OFF" below separate articles. And they work well.
I have edited the article. That is an advantage of JComments now -> "You can choose to turn on or turn off the comment system on individual articles.".
I truly apologize for my mistake.
I hope that you still pay attention to our blog, and share your knowledge and experience with us and Joomla users. -
Friday, 30 March 2012
Editors and writers might work online, so they need an online workspace where they can share the project and ideas each other
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Wednesday, 04 April 2012
Thanks so much for this post! I've been wanting to create a magazine website for ages, but with these extensions that you have shared with us, I now feel like its totally possible. I'm pretty excited to try the Login Protection extension. Thanks again!
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Wednesday, 04 April 2012
We are happy to hear that.
Yes, AdminExile is really cool, and it will be helpful for your website :-) -
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Thursday, 12 July 2012
Thanks for this articles, I'm just starting with my magazine website ( http://wlzine.com ) and I'm thinking about switching to joomla after reading about these cool extensions. Keep up the good work.
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Friday, 13 July 2012
Hi Mark,
Please try them out. I think that this list is quite comprehensive to create a magazine website. If you have more suggestions, or experience about this, please make comment
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Friday, 13 July 2012
Yes, wine barrels. A lot of useful features
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Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Thanks for your post! However, there are some problem with multiple categorization of article, author. E.g one article may have several authors and can be belonged to several news category as well.
I found JXMagazine was a fairly good one but it has been discontinued!
Can you give some advices for me? -
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
As far as I know, there is not such kind of Joomla extension. I have searched on Google and have asked some Joomla developers.
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Thursday, 06 September 2012
Hi. What kind of comment system wouldn't allow commenting on individual articles???
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Friday, 07 September 2012
I don't get your idea.
A comment system is to allow users to comment on individual articles. If it doesn't, what it would be? -
Thursday, 13 September 2012
I like very much extension AdminExile. Easy to install and configured in just a few seconds - be warned it starts working straight away so you need to login again with the new URL after enabling the plugin!
Not sure how effective it would be against a determined hacker but certainly gives me a bit more peace of mind.· huyennt likes this comment. -
Friday, 14 September 2012
Yes, a cool extension!
At least other people can't see the administration page easily. -
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Thanks for this articles, I'm just starting with my blog ( acai-beeren.org ) and I'm thinking about switching to joomla after reading about these cool extensions. Keep up the good work.
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Friday, 14 September 2012
Hi Paul,
It is great to know that. You can also take a look at this blog post - http://www.joomlashine.com/blog/joomla-blog-what-do-you-need-to-have-a-good-one.html to build your Joomla blog. That is our experience.
Hope to see your new blog with Joomla soon. And please make comment if you want to share your opinion -
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Hi huyennt, this is my first time i have visited here. I found many interesting stuffs, thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
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Wednesday, 19 September 2012
You are welcome!
You can keep up with our latest blog posts via:
- RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/JoomlashineNews
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joomlashine
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/joomlashine -
Friday, 21 September 2012
adminexile is my fave of that bunch does a great job of keeping one's site secure.
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Friday, 05 October 2012
Could you help me with website with switching to joomla? - http://eparacord.com/
It very-very slow because of exiisted CMS. -
Friday, 05 October 2012
Which CMS you are using on your website? I can not access it.
Besides it, you can go to Joomla forum - http://forum.joomla.org/ if you want to ask questions about Joomla. A lot of users are willing to assist you there -
Friday, 05 October 2012
However, there are some problem with multiple categorization of article, author! One article may have several authors and can be belonged to several news category as well.
I found JXMagazine was a fairly good one but it has been discontinued.· huyennt likes this comment. -
Friday, 05 October 2012
Hi Alexiya,
Yes, I know about that problem and tried to search for an extensions which help users to display multiple authors. As far as I know, there are no that kind of Joomla extensions which are working. I haven't had a chance to try XMagazine
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Thursday, 11 October 2012
Interesting blog, Alexiya ! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
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Friday, 12 October 2012
The template we use on this website is customized. But this blog interface is from EasyBlog -> http://stackideas.com/easyblog.html
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Thursday, 11 October 2012
Hi! I prefer Disqus to manage the comments in Joomla. And also jcomments is very useful...
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Friday, 12 October 2012
Alexiya, hello! Thank's for your answerings to all questions of all members!
I have suggestion to You to change backlinks, if you don't mind. The site is in my profile to this post. Thank's anyway! -
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Favorite post having such an fantastic and useful informative content.
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Thursday, 29 November 2012
Hello Huyennt! I'm so happy to discover your post as it will become on top in my collection of favorite blogs to visit! Tell me pls, which version Joomla you are using on your site now?
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Friday, 30 November 2012
Hi,
We at JoomlaShine still use Joomla 1.5 for several reasons. We'll move to Joomla 2.5 soon. -
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Dear,
I have this website http://www.xn--whsky-dta.com based on wordpress but i'm not satisfied because it takes too much time to load. As you seems to be expert of Joomla, I read your blog from time to time, I was wondering if you have an idea about how to make a faster website and if it's better for me to switch on Joomla?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Marc -
Monday, 17 December 2012Hello Marc,
Both Joomla! and Wordpress have good performance, problem is you have optimize it. In your case, I've checked your website in Google Page Speed and I've you missed compress for JavaScript (js) and css files, please visit link https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights, then put your site url and see the suggestion from Google Page Speed.
As you see, the main suggestion is a compress problem, so you can use Wordpress plug-in Minify to compress js and css files, you can download this plug-in at http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-minify/.
In additional, if you consider use Joomla! for your current site, or your projects in the next time, we've provided e-book with details instruction how to use Joomla! for beginner, you can download it at http://www.joomlashine.com/blog/free-ebook-joomla-25-made-easy-a-pocket-manual-for-joomla-newbies.html, and all of template product has Free version, so you can try it.
Please feel free to let us know if you've problem or need more assistant.
Thanks,
TuVA -
Sunday, 06 January 2013
One article may have several authors and can be belonged to several news category as well. I think this is real problem
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Wednesday, 09 January 2013
hi, huyennt when do you move to 2.5?
Best regards Johanna· huyennt likes this comment. -
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Hi Übersetzung,
Thank you for your question
We at Joomlashine intend to move to Joomla 2.5 in this year 2013, with a new website design. You can check our 2013 plan at -> www.joomlashine.com/blog/year-end-recap-a-momentous-2012-for-joomlashine.html -
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Hello folks, just wanted to ask if its worthwhile for me to switch cms system on my website ( http://itscharmingtime.com/ ) from wordpress to Joomla??? Also are there any quality themes that I can use?? I dont mind paying for premium design.
All the best, Mike -
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Hi Mike,
I think WordPress may be your best choice if you’re starting a blog/content-driven site, whereas Joomla may be better for static or corporate sites and things like intranets.
About features, I think Wordpress is simple and easy to use, Joomla! is a big CMS and it's good support to public many type sites such as CMS, eCommerce, ect. Of course, it hard to learn for beginners than Wordpress.
If you want to convert your website from Wordpress to Joomla!, you can see the tutorial at http://www.ostraining.com/blog/joomla/converting-a-wordpress-site-to-joomla/
About FREE templates for Joomla!, you can use templates that easy to control and custom such as JoomlaShine templates http://www.joomlashine.com/joomla-templates.html -
Friday, 01 March 2013
Hi! I prefer Disqus to manage the comments in Joomla. And also jcomments is very useful...
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Monday, 04 March 2013
Thanks for the informative article on joomla. I am planning to shift my new website http://www.loseweightfast7.org to joomla
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Saturday, 09 March 2013
Please tell me that youre heading to keep this up! Its so very good and so important. I cant wait to read far more from you. I just feel like you know so very much and know how to make people listen to what youve got to say. This weblog is just as well cool to be missed. Great things, actually. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
· huyennt likes this comment. -
Monday, 11 March 2013
It is great that you like this blog post.
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What? What are talking about? Of course there is!
What kind of comment system wouldn't allow commenting on individual articles?