Joomla Extension Update: Ulti Counter 1.0.7

Ulti Counter version 1.0.7 has just been released. This countdown module has one new feature:  if the event time arrives, the counter will start to count the time up. This means it will show the time since the event, so the module can now also be used to show the time passed since a certain event.

In the back-end, there is an option to switch this feature on or off. If it's switched off, the time will stay on zero once the event arrives, like it was in the previous version of the module. By default the feature is switched off.

3 things I hate about the Joomla Extensions Directory

First I want to make clear that I really love the Joomla Extensions Directory. There are currently over 4000 extensions available. Almost anything you can imagine is there and in a lot of cases for free. Joomla is a great CMS and the overwhelming amount of extensions that are available makes it just fantastic. Still there are 3 things that I really don't like about the JED.

1. The search function: if you have this amount of extensions, then you really need a good search function. Suppose you need an image gallery and you type in "image gallery" in the search function. It will return you 834 extensions and most of them really have nothing to do with an image gallery.  There is no option to say that you only want the extensions which match all words. As a result, it can be quit a job so search for a certain extension. Joomla is upgrading it's site one part at the time and I hope that when the Extensions site is upgraded, we will get a better search function.

2. There are too many extensions: It's great that you have many extensions, but sometimes I wonder if there aren't just too many. If you need a photo gallery, then it's a good thing you have few options, but do we really need 58 different galleries? An even better example are the extensions for adding Google analytics to your site. This can be done with adding the few lines of code provided by Google to the bottom of your template. Installing an extension for this, will take you longer. So you can even wonder if there is a need for such an extension. But even if there is, you would think 2 extensions are enough: one for joomla 1.5 and one for joomla 1.0. In reality there are 12 different extensions for this. As far as I can tell, these all do exactly the same: adding a few lines of code to the bottom of your template. Do we really need 12 extensions for that? And the bad thing is, that this makes it a lot harder to find the extension that you really need. Officialy, you can only add extensions that have some new functionality. But in reality, you see a lot of extensions which have just copied the functionality of another extension. 

3. There's a lot of cheating: Every extension owner knows that the links in the Joomla Extensions Directory can generate quit some traffic, and we all want traffic don't we? The better the reviews and ratings are, the more traffic you'll get. Unfortunately, this makes some extension owners want to cheat. I've seen extensions which get in the first few weeks after they are released 10 or more 5 star ratings and top reviews. And these reviews are often made by people who've never put a review before. Every extension owner can tell you that this is impossible without cheating. This can be quit frustrating for the extension owners that play it fair. I know that people who are caught doing this, get punished as their extensions are removed (temporary or permanently). And I also know that it might be difficult to prove these things. So I don't blame the JED for this and I also don't know how this can be solved. We can only hope that they will be caught as this is so not what an open source community is about.

Joomla 1.5.8: Codename Wohnaiki

Earlier this week, Joomla 1.5.8 was released and it received the codename Wohnaiki. Ever wondered what these codenames mean? Well, it simply means "eight" in a Native American Language called Yaqui. It started with 1.5.0 which was named after an ancient Egyptian god called Khepri. After this, the joomla team started counting in the Yaqui language: from Seenu (one) to the new Wohnaiki. I wonder what the release 1.5.9 will be named. I'd put my money on vatani (yes that means "nine").

I really like these code names. There's something mysterious about them. Joomla 1.0.x had names like sunshine, sunshade or sunscreen. That's...well...just a bit boring.  Even in codenames, joomla 1.5.x is way better then 1.0.x.

Joomla Extension Update: Ulti Polaroid 1.0.3

Version 1.0.3 of Ulti Polaroid has been released. This plugin gives a polaroid effect to your images. This new release fixes three issues:

•  There was a problem in Internet Explorer when you put 2 polaroids next to each other
• The parameter to change the border width didn't function as it should
• The size of the polaroid was in a few cases a problem, which made a part of the polaroid invisible. 

November Template: Puzzle

A new month, means a brand new Joomla Template is released. This template is called "puzzle". and I think you can guess why. It can be downloaded now in our download area.   The template has 8 module positions, 4 of them are collapsable. As always, it is a tableless template which is xhtml validated and for Joomla 1.5.x only. This template has also a brand new feature: support of jomComment. This means a custom template for this component is included. This is the first time a custom template of a Joomla Extension is included, but soon more extension templates will be included.   An image with the modulepositions is included in the template and can also be checked in the FAQ of Ulti Joomla

Ulti Joomla has a new outfit

As you can see, Ulti Joomla has a completely new look. A new template, a new logo and some new features. We are still working on some of the new features, so in the coming week, you may expect more new things on Ulti Joomla. If you notice anything weird on the site, let us know with the contact form.

Our new logo is part of a puzzle. The meaning behind this, is that Ulti Joomla is just a piece in the total Joomla puzzle. It also reflects the meaning of Joomla. Joomla comes from the swahili word Jumla, meaning "as a whole" or "All together". A puzzle is a perfect symbol for this. One piece of a puzzle is quit useless, but all pieces together can make something really beautiful. And that's more then enough philoosphy for one day.

One of the new features is the jomComment component. A very powerful commenting component made by azrul.com. Do you like our new look? Or do you think it hurts your eyes? Just leave a comment below...  

How to Find Joomla Module Positions

A Joomla template is divided in a number of zones. There is one zone where the active component is shown and a number of zones where your modules are located. If you don't know the difference between components and modules, read the article about the difference between modules, components and plugins. Each zone for modules has a certain position name. E.g. left, right, bottom, user1, user2, etc. In the module parameters you can assign your modules to a certain position. This way you define to which zone your module will belong to.

SQL Injection Issues in Joomla Components

There are 2 SQL injection vulnerabilities discovered in 2 different external Joomla Components. The first one is in the Nice Talk component. The second one in DS syndicate component. If you use any of these two components, make sure to get a security update from their owners as soon as possible.

If you don't know what SQL injection is and what it can do, check out the explanation about it in wikipedia. 

How To Add Your Own Clock On Your Joomla Site

Ulti Clocks is one of our most popular modules. It seems a lot of people like to add a clock to their Joomla site. With the choice between 40 different clocks, you would think everybody should find a clock that fits perfectly. Still I get quit some questions to change something on a clock. I can't do this and here is why:

Joomla Extension Update: Ulti Clocks 2.0.6

There was a problem with 2 clocks which showed the time in different cities around the world. In this new release, these clocks have been replaced with other clocks that have the same functionality. Meanwhile the collection of clocks was increased from 30 to 40!   Ulti Clocks is a Joomla module which shows a flash clock on your site. You can select one of the  40 different clocks. It can be downloaded from our download section.