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Richard Pearce

When I met Joomla, I had no idea how much it would impact my future. The relationship was frosty at first. Hostile in fact. I was happy the way things were, but Joomla insisted that life could be even better, if I was prepared to make some changes. The problem was, the path to our ultimate happiness required a solution that had not yet been built. And it was up to me to produce the solution. Okay - sure, Joomla did provide the materials, but no cohesive way of moulding it all together.



I made a tentative approach, but was sternly rebuked. Something about having inadequate permissions. I tried again but couldn't find a way to have even the most simple of conversations. Sadly we parted and I went back to my long-term partner, Dreamweaver.



But I knew I was missing out on something. It nagged me day and night until I decided to try again. It was easier this time. Things started to look bright and I was optimistic that I had found my lifelong partner. But alas we fell at the final hurdle. We had come so far, surely something seemingly so small as a menu item couldn't come between us. But is was so. And so tragically we separated again.



This time my reunion with my previous HTML editor was not so pleasant. We were never right for each other. So I knuckled down with a new determination to use the few resources I had to build a Joomla website. The details aren't important. All you need to know is that everything finally came together and now Joomla and I are best of friends.



I want you to enjoy this friendship too, so I have produced a methodical step-by-step solution to learning Joomla. Start with our free course The Basics. Then move on to our advanced courses. I also publish hints and tips via this blog. Your first steps might also be tentative, but with my help, you are guaranteed to save a lot of time and frustration.



Connect with Richard: Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | LinkedIn

Owner of Build a Joomla Website. Responsible for 1 wife, 4 kids and 17 fish.

Forcing files to download with Skyline Simple Download

Forcing files to download with Skyline Simple Download

The web browser was invented to interpret HTML content and display it accordingly. But as it became practical to deliver other file types such as PDFs and MP3s, the browser become a multimedia viewer. However this isn't always desirable as there are times when you would rather have the browser download a particular file, rather than display it within a browser window. There are various ways to force a file to be downloaded using Joomla, but they either require an extension which is unnecessarily complicated or tweaking server settings which is not for the faint-hearted. In this review I take a look at a simple solution that is aptly named Skyline Simple Download.

Recent Comments
Richard Pearce
Not sure where you clicked, but as mentioned, this is a commercial extension.
Friday, 18 January 2013 15:25
jbyow
based on joomla sites, Phoca, jDownloads and DocMan are the best in this category.
Saturday, 19 January 2013 02:38
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Having trouble working Facebook into your Joomla website?

Having trouble working Facebook into your Joomla website?

As Facebook has become the definitive standard for social networking online, more and more web developers are looking for better and easier ways of working it into their websites. This is just as true for the Joomla world. What's great about using a CMS like Joomla is that you have so many options for including services like Facebook into your web pages. We've come across another easy way to do it.

Recent Comments
Mike Wharton
I can't get it to show anything other than the header in my site. I have selected the Like Box... added my FB URL and it shows not... Read More
Friday, 11 January 2013 13:57
Xhafarre Kua
Thank you for your post. I've tried this extension today and it's not working!
Friday, 11 January 2013 19:28
Peter Gleeson
Thanks for the tip Richard. I can put it to good use.
Saturday, 12 January 2013 21:27
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Joomla!Day Comes to Melbourne

Joomla!Day Comes to Melbourne

Joomla!Days are great events put on all over the world, giving Joomla enthusiasts, hardcore developers and even folks just kicking the tires a chance to come together, share new ideas and get to know each other. This month, Melbourne will host a Joomla!Day, and there's a lot to be excited about.

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JP Fourie
Really, Really, really wish I could go. ... Read More
Friday, 11 January 2013 10:59
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Directing Visitors to your Most Important Content

Directing Visitors to your Most Important Content

Don’t you hate it when you’re in the middle of something important on your computer and it suddenly stops working? That’s the dilemma I faced a few weeks ago when I had to put this site into maintenance mode while I made some changes to the template. I knew some people would be in the middle of watching some tutorials and I wanted to minimize the frustration they would feel when they found the site had switched off. Discover how I overcame this and how you can use the same approach to grow your website.

Recent Comments
Richard Pearce
Fixed. Sorry about that. I'm normally very good at picking up unusual spellings because of my own weird company name (RickSure). ... Read More
Thursday, 03 January 2013 19:07
Mike Martin
Richard Thanks for the information, what a great addition, cannot thank you enough.
Thursday, 03 January 2013 20:26
Richard Pearce
It IS a plugin. But unlike a module where you specify a template position, it always appears at the top of the page.
Sunday, 20 January 2013 08:03
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Kickstart Your Blog this Weekend

Kickstart Your Blog this Weekend

Your New Year’s Resolutions for 2013:

1. Exercise more

2. Spend more time with family

3. Do more with your website!

I can’t help you with the first two, but it is my job to help you do more with your website. So let’s get a head-start on 2013 with a simple project that you can complete this weekend. In just two hours, you will complete a vital task that is one of the best ways to attract new visitors. Regardless of where your site is at - if it is brand-new, established or even if you haven’t started building yet - this is something everyone can benefit from and your only investment is time.

Recent Comments
Marcus Thomas
Richard, Great idea. As a complete newbie there was an some enthusiastic activity back in November, but I have let it slip all t... Read More
Thursday, 27 December 2012 11:02
Mike Martin
Hi Richard What a great blogging idea, I started a blog but fell at the first hurdle, what should I blog about, this blog helps, t... Read More
Friday, 28 December 2012 20:11
Richard Pearce
I have African Chiclids. This year wasn't so kind to them so numbers have dwindled. There are no short answers to your other ques... Read More
Saturday, 29 December 2012 07:31
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Joomla 2012 in Review

Joomla 2012 in Review

2012 was a big year for the Joomla world and there’s more to come in 2013. Read on to discover my 3 highlights for this year as well as the things to look out for next year. We’re also getting close to the end of our introductory offer for Joomla Pro, so now is the best time to buy to avoid the price rise.

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Recent Comments
Eng Ung
Thanks for the update Richard. Just out of curiosity, do you know what the Joomla certification program will look like at this poi... Read More
Saturday, 22 December 2012 14:07
Richard Pearce
It's not even at stage one yet. More info here: http://magazine.joomla.org/issues/issue-dec-2012/item/1001-help-the-joomla-certifi... Read More
Saturday, 22 December 2012 14:24
Robert Wilson
Tim, Thanks for the info. We're actually in the process of posting an article about this development, so stay tuned for that in ... Read More
Thursday, 27 December 2012 10:03
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Get the entire collection of Tamlyn Software Extensions for half-off

Get the entire collection of Tamlyn Software Extensions for half-off

Here's a great "say goodbye to Joomla 1.5" sale that you must check out. Get the entire collection of Tamlyn Software Joomla Extensions for half-off!

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Free Joomla Q & A Webinar

Around this time last year I received one of the best pieces of advice for my business. Read on to discover what this is and how I will help you via this week's free Joomla webinar.

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Recent Comments
Giovanni Yarabek
YEA!
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 10:37
Giovanni Yarabek
YEA!! ... Read More
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 10:40
Terry
Hi. I just tried to register and got a page ( https://www1.gotomeeting.com/en_US/island/webinar/registration.tmpl?Action=rgoto ) ... Read More
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 11:51
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Joomla Hosting Special - 60% off Thanksgiving Sale

Joomla Hosting Special - 60% off Thanksgiving Sale

For a very limited time, you can get specialist Joomla Hosting at 60% off PLUS free access to our Beyond the Basics tutorials.

Recent Comments
Richard Pearce
You'd have to check with Siteground to be sure, but I believe so.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 13:18
shahed
could you pleas let me know the deadline of this offer ??? is it still existing ?? and also am new at joomla and i have some e... Read More
Thursday, 06 December 2012 04:46
Robert Wilson
Muhamed, You've missed the Thanksgiving deal, but if you follow the link on our recommended hosts page: http://www.buildajoomlawe... Read More
Friday, 07 December 2012 04:02
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Joomla 2.5 Sample Data

Joomla 2.5 Sample Data

When installing Joomla 2.5, an option exists to install one of three sets of sample data. This post includes a video walkthough of the difference between each of the sample data options.

Recent Comments
Mike Martin
Richard Thanks for the updated video, if I may give you some feedback, I think that it would be better to zoom in to the various a... Read More
Thursday, 08 November 2012 20:49
Paul
Hi Richard, As usual, Nice Job! Increased resolution certainly helps with my ailing eyesight! Usual slick, professional offering,... Read More
Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:28
Zodiac
Hi Richard...I hope today finds you well? I have just purchased a 12 Month Cloudaccess account...and one of my first tasks, and on... Read More
Friday, 09 November 2012 04:44
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