What are modules, components and membots; and how are they used?

Modules are simple plug-ins that present information in a block. This is similar to a block of php-nuke. The default joomla modules include menus, polls and user login box. As with php-nuke, modules (blocks) can be added to positions and appear on the left or right side of your web site.

Components are applications. This is similar to a module in php-nuke. They add funcationality to the joomla website. Although there are exceptions, both a Component and a Module are added to install a Component. A component typically comes with a while new set of admin pages designed to help you manage the component.

Mambots are small, task-oriented functions that intercept content before it is displayed to the users. Examples of mambot inlcude mosimage tag that converts a {mosimage} tag with a html IMG tag, and {mospagebreak} that provides pagination and table of contents functionality.

Add-on is a Joomla plug-ins that adds additional functionalty to Mambo CMS. Add-ons may include both a component and a module, may just come with module or component only, or module/component that includes a mambot.

The current version of Joomla divides the content into three levels: Sections, Categories and Contents. Sections are like filing cabinet, Categories are like folders and Contents are individual pages. With sections and categories, you can assign different templates to them. So, for example “News” section may have two-column layout while “Newsflash” may have three-column layout.

A content is generally assigned to a section and a category, although this is not a strict mandatory requirement. Assigning contents to its containers make it easier to manage, and provide consistent look-and-feel by using the same template.

Mambo comes with a wysiwyg editor called TinyMCE. By default, TinyMCE is activated (to disable, go to Mambots -> Site Mambots, and unpublish the “No WYSIWYG Editor” and publish “TinyMCE WYSIWYG Editor”. You may also utilize the “advanced” mode, if you know a little about html. This provide you with a capability to edit HTML directly witin the TinyMCE editor.

1. To add a content to your site, go to Content -> All Content Items (or choose a category). The text area is splitted into two panes: intro text, and main text (read more text). The content area can be edited with TinyMCE editor if it is chosen as the default editor.

2. To add images to the content body (mos_mainbody), it is required that you first upload image files using the Media Manager. Go to Site -> Media Manager, and it’s pretty much self explainatory.

3. Once images are uploaded, you may use a {mosimage} link under the editor to add an image. It’s a little gif image with “I” next to the mambo flower. The “P” image link is used for inserting {mospagebreak}. When clicked, “{mosimage}” text is inserted in the editor and enables “Images” tab located next to the editor. Using the “Images” tab on the right, assign an image that has been uploaded. You can add as many images in the content as you like, as long as you follow the order of images inserted and assignment in the “Images” tab.