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[thatcomputerdude Friend thatcomputerdudeJoin date: December 2008Posts: 280Downloads:0Uploads:9 Thanks: 67 Thanked: 32 times in 1 posts]

#143955

What’s the best way to work on a new design for a live site when going from one template to another?

I was thinking of taking a copy of the database and install a new copy of Joomla on the server to work on the new site. But what about in a few days when I’m ready to implement the new template and database, how do I merge the live database and the development database since the live site has a community and forums?

[scotty Friend scottyJoin date: March 2008Posts: 2339Downloads:0Uploads:13 Thanks: 76 Thanked: 827 times in 595 posts]

#316500

If it’s only a template upgrade then there’s no need to interfere with the database at all.

I’d take a Joomlapack backup of the site and database (just in case).
Then install this backup to test location.
Install new template and design as required.
When done copy new template folder to live location and all done.

If you plan on doing development that does include making database modifications then that’s a different ball game.

[thatcomputerdude Friend thatcomputerdudeJoin date: December 2008Posts: 280Downloads:0Uploads:9 Thanks: 67 Thanked: 32 times in 1 posts]

#316512

That’s the problem, it’s not a static Joomla site, it’s an online community so the database is growing every hour. I guess I’ll just shut the site off over night and change the template and spend a couple hours resizing images and what not to make it work with this new template.

I just wasn’t sure if there was a component out there that allows you to work on a template while the site stays live and doesn’t see the changes being made to module positions and what not. I’ve never seen it but I thought I’d ask around.

[scotty Friend scottyJoin date: March 2008Posts: 2339Downloads:0Uploads:13 Thanks: 76 Thanked: 827 times in 595 posts]

#316532

thatcomputerdude;143507That’s the problem, it’s not a static Joomla site, it’s an online community so the database is growing every hour.

My suggestion is still relevant. When you install your backup it will be identical to your live site. After you have made all your changes, just upload the new template files.

[nefar Friend nefarJoin date: December 2007Posts: 434Downloads:0Uploads:2 Thanks: 78 Thanked: 42 times in 1 posts]

#319304

I agree with Scotty. I’ve attempted to just udate a template myself on a “live” site without doing a backup. I would up having problems every time. Creating a joomlapack backup on a test server is a much better option. When done you can either move the adjusted files over or just reproduce your changes on live site without the fear of anything getting screwed up.

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