3. What is a distro? A pre-packaged combination of the following: The Joomla core (and configuration settings) A set of extensions (and configuration settings) A template framework (and configuration settings) A default set of content (e.g. Newsletter unsubscribe page, news items) A default menu, with default items
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5. Install and configure the whole lot at onceSaves about 10 hours of installation work for each siteConsistency The base install of the distro is always identical Good business practice A standardised web site package, contractual elements and costing model
6. Building a distro What’s in, what’s out, and why? Building the distro J1.6 and beyond
7. What’s in, what’s out, and why? The extensions & settings are conservatively selected We think long and hard before adding something Avoid bloat, and flavour-of-the-month MaintenanceThe more extensions, the more we need to monitor and upgrade SecurityIf a site isn’t using a particular extension, there is a tendency to ignore it and it is unlikely to be upgraded
8. Criteria for inclusion Important feature Improves upon the core Joomla features Adds a feature that every site needs/should have Improves site security Stable release Reasonable update cycles Isn’t “dead” (abandoned by developer) Upsell extensions Time-consuming to install and configure Installed, but “invisible” activate, rather than install Must not introduce “weirdness” e.g. a completely different admin interface
9. Building the distro Maintain an “ideal” site Install, configure and upgrade the distro elements Use Akeeba Backup Create a custom installer of the whole distro site (a .jpa) file Protect the distro site Document all settings ss you build the distro Resolve support issues Rebuild the distro in a new Joomla version
10. Licencing issues Mainly free GPL extensions - no licencing issues 2 commercial GPL extensions (JCE and sh404SEF) Commercial fee is for access to the downloads, and for support, and does not restrict the distribution of the files We don’t share the username and password, so non-BrilliantWeb users of the distro have to independently subscribe for support and upgrades
11. J1.6 and beyond Challenge of the new development cycle - maintaining parallel distros for each Joomla version Some extensions in the distro are not compatible with Joomla 1.6 and beyond Some 1.5 extensions have been frozen, and all new features are being added to the 1.6/1.7 versions Some new extensions are only available for 1.6 I am still scratching my head about this…
13. Installation Create the new hosting account Transfer file to new account Use wget FTP file Use kickstart to unpack, install and modify the IdealJoomladistro on the new hosting account Total installation time: 6 minutes!
17. Customisation Login to the new site and begin customising to the client’s specifications: Install additional extensions Skin the template framework Add content, menu items etc
18. Activation Tweaking the core settings and the settings of the extensions that are included in the distro Examples: Add the site owner’s email address Add the site name Add the site’s Google Analytics code Etc
20. Site management and interface improvements A file manager Online editing of files, file uploads etc NoNumber extensions A set of extensions to make Joomla site administration easier Akeeba Site backup AJAXifyplugin Saves on page reloads some of the backend functions Joomla core updater Update to latest Joomla with a few clicks Faster loading admin template
21. Site management and interface improvements Session monitor Tells you how long until you are logged off Display the non-SEF URL of the currently loaded page Essential for building links on sites that use SEF URLs IE compatibility switcher Causes IE8 and 9 to behave Caching tools Speed up site loading Captcha system For core Joomla forms and for extensions
22. Content editing and presentation Advanced content editor JCE WYSIWYG editor with subscription extensions A basic image gallery A typography plugin Adds fancy content styling to pages Fancier Tables of Contents For pages that have page breaks Google Maps plugin Add Google map to contacts, articles, modules etc Automated site footer Adds an automated copyright footer
23. Web site marketing and SEO Testimonials system * Collect and display client/site visitor testimonials Newsletter system * Share and social media buttons * Content slider Slide featured content on home page Home page article summary Mini-blog on frontpage to showcase news (title, thumbnail, intro with more control than core feature) * These are examples of dormant extensions ready for upsell and activation
24. Web site marketing and SEO News blog and sidebar list sh404SEF SEF URLs, additional security and Google Analytics Google Site Verification tool Verifies site ownership to Google, so that we can access Google Webmaster Tools for the site
25. Design Template framework Header bar rotators Static header Random header Header slideshow Specific header images per page
26. Distrocommercial models Outsourcing distro management BrilliantWeb’s distro offerings Web site in a box
27. Outsourcing distro management The concept A third party builds and maintains the distro You pay a subscription fee to download and use the distro
28. Why outsource? Distro developer’s Joomla expertise Monitors new extensions Monitors growth (or demise) of extensions Applies their understanding of client needs to shaping and building the distro Saves lots of research time If you don’t know Joomla well, and don’t want to spend ages learning about the various extensions and installation steps
29. Why outsource? Saves distro maintenance time The system updates are managed by the distro developer You just download the latest version whenever you build a new site
30. BrilliantWeb’s distro offerings IdealJoomla Monthly subscription and a per-use pricing model Installation and activation guide Your IdealJoomla We create and maintain a distro for your company Contact Ingrid Jordan at sales@brilliantweb.co.za
31. Business idea for you Web site in a box Reduce the cost of serving vertical markets create a full-featured standard package for specific markets JoomlaShack created a distro for schools: http://demotemplates.joomlashack.com/school/about-joomlashack-school-shack-pack
32. Next steps Please answer our market research survey to help us build an appropriate product offering Visit our site to download this presentation www.brilliantweb.co.za/resources.html …
33. Credits Brendon Hatcher is the compiler of this presentation The presentation is released under the Creative Commons Licence – Attribution, Non-commercial, No derivatives If you don’t know what this licence means, find out about it at creativecommons.org
