INTRODUCTION

Web development in the past involved a designer-programmer to produce a website based on content provided by a client before the website is completed. Once the website went live, it remained static until the client requested changes to the site. With the introduction of modern content management systems such as Joomla, your client can have complete control over the website you design.

Using a CMS, the client now has the ability to update content, add pictures, links, news and even change or add more categories to the navigation bar using only a web browser. In many cases, clients themselves use free or commercially-available templates with an open-source CMS like Joomla to build large, capable websites without help from a designer or a programmer.

Clients who do come to designers are increasingly demanding the ability to make changes on a weekly, daily or even hourly basis using just a web browser. The days of developing static sites using Dreamweaver or BBEdit are over.

OBJECTIVE

To learn Joomla basics in anticipation of an actual client-based project in the second half of the semester.

BRIEF

Install a copy of Joomla 1.5 on the server and build a website that includes the following added components: eXtplorer (FTP access within Joomla), and JCE (a better editor). Your site must also deliver “search engine friendly” urls.

METHODOLOGY

1. Install Joomla 1.5 on the server.
2. Choose a food. It should be a simple food like a grain, a meat, a vegetable or a fruit, not a national cuisine.
3. Research your food and gather written and visual material.
4. Design an overall structure/sitemap for your website.
5. Choose a template and install it, along with the components, modules and plugins that you need.
6. Build your pages.
7. Adjust the template.
8. Present your site to the class.

SCHEDULE

January 7: Install Joomla & research
January 14: Make sitemap, choose template
January 21: Build pages
January 28: Presentation

ASSESSMENT

This project is worth 20% of your total grade. Assessment will be based on your ability to deliver an attractive and useful website using the Joomla CMS.