Joomla Template Kit extension focus news update

[admin]

Hello everyone.

A few months ago I was asked to add some features to the Joomla Template Kit 2.0
Joomla Template Kit Pro Wish List


1. The extension made only one directory/template at a time where the root is the template you’re working on this was done via the “Create base template wizard”.
2. Second was the “Update Template Details XML” wizard only ran on root on the template.


This meant you’d have to map each template that you were making via the Dreamweaver site manager. Some of you did not like this because you have a lot of projects and the list can get long.

Well you asked I listen and now I'm going to change the flow to a better one.

Coming soon you would just map Dreamweaver to your local web server were Joomla is installed to the templates folder once.You will be able to see and update all of your projects templates by selecting the template folder via the “Update Template Details XML” wizard.

Also coming soon you will be able to make the “create base template files” from the wizard
by just adding the name of your template it will make the folder for you with the files and
You won’t have to remap the site manager for every new template. This means that you could setup one or more templates without having to remap the DW Site manager.

Now let’s talk about the Joomla 1.5 version of the extension for one minute.
I have great ideas I love to add to the extension both the SE and up and coming Pro edition.

One of the challenges I face is your Dreamweaver version and your platform.
Dreamweaver version 8 has added a lot of needed features under the hood that MX, MX2004 don’t have. I could work around this by adding an out side program but then I run into the platform issue
PC and Apple. By the way I love those Apple commercials any way I use both Os's plus Linux I think my head is getting bigger .

What I’m getting at is at some point I’m going to start putting to bed some support for older versions of Dreamweaver. I like for you to please answer a poll about what software you have and what versions.

Media 65 business focus is web based and at this point there’s only one major company that puts great products that’s Adobe and formally Macromedia. There are others out there Open Source and commercial but this is our focus. That being said the poll will ask you about Adobe
products and some others that make the grade plus your platform.

Yes I can read my log’s and see the traffic based on OS Platforms. But some of you work on both
plus I think you would like to have some say what direction we should take via your vote.

Now getting back to Joomla 1.5 version of the Joomla Template kit I have the extension almost made a few times but have gone back to drawing board to make hooks for future updates flow etc..

What I’m thinking of doing is one putting the Joomla Template kit 2.0 SE for Joomla CMS 1.0.X to bed
at 2.X branch what do I mean to bed? I’m sure that there may be some updates to Joomla CMS 1.0.X branch that we may or may not have to update for but I don’t think that there are going to be major changes to the template system.

Now I have renamed the Joomla Template 2.0 to SE for Standard Edition and its current version number is 2.0. It has support for the Joomla CMS 1.0.X version so will any JTK SE 2.X versions will have support for Joomla CMS 1.0.X Branch.

The new Joomla Template Kit SE for the Joomla CMS 1.5 Beta and up of the CMS will be the Joomla Template Kit SE 3.X to make a clean break from the older series.

So in short:
Joomla Template SE Kit 2.X = support for Joomla CMS 1.0.X
Joomla Template Kit SE 3.X = support for Joomla CMS 1.5 and UP

Questions that may come up are?
I have sites that I’m not going to upgrade to the latest version of Joomla CMS?
That’s fine use the JTK SE 2.X branch.

I have a site that I’m going to upgrade to the Joomla CMS latest version?
Use the JTK SE 3.X branch.

The extensions are not going to be in the same install because it would just get to confusing in the interface and updates.
So if you need to work with Joomla 1.0.X series use the JTK SE 2.X tab.
So if you need to work with Joomla 1.5.X plus series use the JTK SE 3.X tab.
Both can be installed at the same time.

I have a lot of templates that I’d like to upgrade to the latest version of Joomla CMS 1.5 plus?
This is not so easy because of custom style sheets.
One feature that the pro version may have is to help upgrade an older template to a new version example 1.0.X to 1.5.

The Joomla Template Kit SE 3.X Extension will have

1. Conditional code to hide modules based on conditions
2. Much better CSS system with a reference section for fixes or added value alternative styles
3. Wizards
4. Jtools to write extra items into the template
5. Grouped Module menu with module style chooser
6. Added Value Tutorials, How to etc. via our new web based system.

Few more items maybe added at time of release or updates.

I mention before about the Dreamweaver versions the Pro Edition extension when available will most likely be for DW Version 8 and up I can't wait to see version 9 but Adobe is not saying a word I think its going to be very big they have a very nice talent pool.

The next weeks to come I will be
1. Working on the site
2. Getting Poll in place
3. Updating the JTK SE 2.0 to 2.1 adding above flow changes
4. Getting more docs in place for JTK SE 2.1
5. Rewriting the JTK 3.X extension and testing out Ideas
6. Getting more docs in place for JTK SE 3.0
7. Thinking of reopening 123 web kit project if I open it again it’s only going to be windows based
do to updates and other issue with root account setup on Apple systems.

I will email you again after I have the Poll system setup to get your info to guide the projects focus.

Again thank you for your support and see you soon.
Truly yours,
Brian Diaz
Media 65