Joomla Templates Club 406,261 posts

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#167486

I was going to do the quickstart, but it is way to confusing and over my head.

So I am just going to install Joomla and then install the template. My question is what file do I download? If I want it to look like the demo, with those components (like facebook), do I download ALL the files ( (except the quickstart)), it shows listed when I click download (I think it lists about 20 files, including quickstart).

Thanks for your help!

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406552

Greetings:

While I totally understand the “intimidation” factor that can come with some of the demo data within the quickstart packages – especially for templates such as Teline IV and JA Social – I do feel that utilizing and starting with the quickstart installation is THE BEST way to go ….. especially for those who aren’t as yet familiar with all of the nuances in creating content within Joomla.

For example . . . let’s say you have an idea to create a custom graphic or advertisement that you want to publish within a particular module position – but might not me entirely certain and/or comfortable how to go about it. One of the invaluable benefits of using the quickstart packages is that sample custom mods have already been created by our JA Development Team. All you need do is take a look at how they created the custom mod and learn/adapt such to your own particular needs.

Although I wrote this piece over three years ago, the principles and points remain the same –> The VALUE of the QUICKSTART PACKAGES

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to dictate to you what you should and should not do. JoomlART derives no additional benefit or revenue from members utilizing quickstart packages. They are created and available for the benefit of our members – to help get a “quick start” on customizing their own sites …. as well as learning (by visual example) how carious elements can be created.

So, in answer to your question . . . . YES, you should download ALL of the files within the JA Social download list. I simply, yet firmly, believe that you will have a much easier time modifying/customizing things with an established “guide” already provided for you via the sample data provided within the quickstart installation package.

Whichever way you ultimately decide to go, rest assured you can always turn to the JA Community and Support Staff to assist you with your questions and issues. 🙂

GOOD LUCK !!!

1 user says Thank You to TomC for this useful post

1. amlinc

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406557

I have built several joomla sites, so I am somewhat familiar with working with it once it is installed. And I have read the quickstart instructions, guides, etc.

I just do not really understand all the backend installation stuff. I would much rather start with the quickstart and it look like the demo from the start. But unless a mod. on here can install it for me, I just don’t understand all the extracting the files, and installing the database that are mentioned in the instructions.

Thanks for your reply.

If i can’t do the quickstart, do I still download that file that says quickstart when downloading the template?

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406559

JA does offer an installation service (for a nominal fee) to your specifications –> SEE HERE
This service includes setting up required database(s) and complete installation of any JA template so that it’s ready to go for you.

The file that says “quickstart” is merely a file with the “quickstart related” files within it. You can omit such when uploading the files to your server – it will not affect anything.

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406564

So if I’m installing the template from Joomla admin using Joomla’s install (using the zip file), it won’t matter if the quickstart is in there?

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406571

No, it won’t matter . . . the folder itself has a separate zipped file with the quickstart files within it – exactly so it will not affect anything. If that file uploads with the other files, you can simply delete that file after you upload the other files to your server.

1 user says Thank You to TomC for this useful post

1. amlinc

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406581

so the zipped file i downloaded (with all the other plugin and modules checked), do i need to unzip it on my machine to find the template and the components? before i try to install it as a just a template?

thanks for your help!

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406587

Yes … If you are going to install the template files yourself – i.e. not utilize the quickstart method – you are going to have to manually install all of the modules and plugins one-by-one.

Incidentally, you are still going to have to go through the installation process – which includes setting up and identifying database(s) – with the template install just as you would with the quickstart installation. The ONLY difference is that, with the quickstart method – the modules/plugins are installed FOR you, along with the sample data you see in the demo.

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406591

My hosting company has an auto-installer that i think will handle most of that for me. ?? That’s the way I’ve always done it before. And hopefully i can use the interactive type demos joomlart provides (love that btw) to help me with any module positions I’m not sure of. Thanks for your help, I may be back with more questions once I get started..

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406592

Ahhh …. okay – I forgot about web host auto installers. I’ve never used one for Joomla – though I did for Magento.

It’s actually VERY easy to set up a database – especially with most contemporary web host control panels. Further, MOST decent web hosts have step-by-step tutorials on how to do it. It’s actually something that you should take a little bit of time (not long at all, actually) to learn to do – as well as how to import/export/dump database tables within your phpMyAdmin panel.

The time you spend to learn these things will save you much time and headache when you want to work with future templates – believe me … I was the exact same as you when I started. It’s sometimes easier to “let someone else do it” …. but it’s always better to learn to do it yourself (in many cases, such as this, anyway). 😎

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406797

ok, i’ve decided to try the quickstart because the autoinstaller on the hosting site is joomla 1.5 and they suggested i install 1.6. they also said that because i already installed the joomla they had, that the databases would already be there.

so if i extract the quickstart and upload all those files to the folder the host said…is that all i should have to do?

thanks for your help…i really need to get this site up!

[Manos Moderator ManosJoin date: February 2014Posts: 2806Downloads:46Uploads:56 Thanks: 200 Thanked: 633 times in 576 posts]

#406798

HI,

If you are going to use quickstart package i suggest that you clear your db from phpmyadmin and follow instructions for installation after you upload your quickstart unziped files (you can upload zip file and extract them on server, that makes uploading easy).

It’s like next, next etc but you have to fill the data like dbname – dbuser – dbpassword etc. (that data can be found in cPanel or by your host).

Please feel free to ask any more info you might need.

Regards

Manos

[amlinc Friend amlincJoin date: February 2006Posts: 118Downloads:392Uploads:2 Thanks: 6 Thanked: 3 times in 1 posts]

#406799

i have no idea how to deal with phpmyadmin and databases…like i said, that is over my head..i wouldn’t know where to begin.

i did find the phpmyadmin in the control panel.

should i delete the joomla folder that is on the site now?

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#406813

<em>@amlinc 260459 wrote:</em><blockquote>i have no idea how to deal with phpmyadmin and databases…like i said, that is over my head..i wouldn’t know where to begin.

i did find the phpmyadmin in the control panel.

should i delete the joomla folder that is on the site now?</blockquote>
If you’re going to start from scratch, then you should simply delete your current databases within your webhost CPanel. This will delete the databases within phpMyAdmin automatically. THEN, simply re-establish/set-up your new databases within your MySQL set-up section (as you did before) and proceed with the quickstart installation process.

Believe me, it’s really not as difficult as you’re probably making it out to be for yourself. Most of it is point-and-click. 😎

Which webhost do you use ??

[Manos Moderator ManosJoin date: February 2014Posts: 2806Downloads:46Uploads:56 Thanks: 200 Thanked: 633 times in 576 posts]

#406939

Hi,

I guess everything is ok now!

Regards

Manos

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