Random Content

so, day 2 and the next objective, having set up content configuration and export is to determine how to show a random piece of content.

There a couple of extensions which will show lists of random content, but they only retrieve part of the content; i need 1 whole piece of random content.

So, i may have to modify one of these, or use them and then retrieve the content afterwards:

• Global Content


• Content Item Module


• Joomla Frontpage Changing Module


• Camp26 Random Content


• Random Content Module


• Newsflash Module

I'll let you know how it goes.

Update
Added Global Content to the list above

Joomla#1

A New Start
Ok, so today i started a new project using Joomla.

I have a concrete project to work on, and a rudimentary design. What i want to do is document the process i go through and the challenges and problems i face along the way.

So, here we go; the goal. The site is to manage images; photographers upload images and people pay to download them; nothing new, but important to someone.

So, part 1; configuration.

Configuration
First decision; how to manage my content taxonomy; The site will (mostly) contain one sortof content; Photographs. These images will be categorised by their 'topic', e.g. Landscape, Wildlife etc etc.

So, heres how i'm going to set it up:

• One section: Photographs


• Multiple Categories: wildlife, landscape etc; this will evolve over time

Update

Ok, i also managed to install the Export Content module.

The idea is that i need to be able to export configuration and Published content from one site to another; i.e. we'll have a staging environment for uploading/creating content and then once approved, we'll move that content to the main live area.

Export Content Module
You can get the module from here.

To install it you need to enable legacy mode. To do that, go to the Administration Control Panel and select the "Extensions > Plugin Manager" menu options and enable "System-Legacy".

Then, to install the component, go to "Extensions > Install/Uninstall" and selected the component's ZIP file. And that's it.

Belfast Zoo

Who would have guessed it. After a rubbish summer, it was gorgeous today and i had the day off, so i took Lizzie to Belfast Zoo.

The photos are here.

Favourite is this one.

Doing some processing on the photos though, i'm thinking 2 things:

• Need to shoot RAW


• Need a DSLR so i can get a decent lens

As handy as the S5000 is, i'd love a DSLR so i can get some extra flexibility with a zoom in these type of situations and the Fuji simply doesn't take the image quickly enough.

C'est la vie.

Also - should i like zoos? I love the chance to see the animals and give Lizzie the chance to see them, but is it right to keep them caged in such an environment? It has to be said that Belfast Zoo has been doing some good work in breeding some endagered species like the lions they currently have, but nagging doubts prevail.

Lovely day out though.

Pink Panorama

Well, spent the weekend painting Lizzies new room.

To make up for getting evicted from her room to a new room up the stairs (to make way for number 2's arrival in November), we gave her new room a total makeover.

From magnolia/white neutral-city to well, er, pink!

So, 2 shades of pink paint, some wallpaper, Ikea furniture and a weekend of blood, sweat and tears later, we get this:



Full size image is on Flickr here.

Photo Stitching
I wanted a panaorama of the room, but had never tried it before. So, took some shots using a set of step ladders as a tripod and moved the camera between each shot a little bit.

I then used GIMP and the Pandora plugin to create the panorama. Its far from perfect, but i'm pleased with the results as a first quick attempt.