Most web hosts work fine with the direct-install utilities, that download and unpack files remotely.

The one I'm working on right now? Nothing would complete! Every single auto-unpacker left the subdirectories empty. I don't know what specs the host has (it's for a charity who refuses to let me host their files for free because these jokers offered a long time ago... some people are set in their ways) ... but it won't set permissions on the fly unless directly contacted via FTP. Even the FTP method of Joomla! Downloader didn't work.

Frustrating to say the least.

JoomlaDesktop Installer Utility WORKED for me! Finally! Now I can help this client jump into the 21st century with a CMS... and more than a CMS... they can have JOOMLA!

Does everything it says it will do. Easy to install, and once you get the hang of it, it's very easy to set up ads for multiple positions and multiple ads for clients, etc.

Very nicely done!

Surprised this extension isn't used more often, actually...I'm using it on 5 different sites and only had one bug, with a previous release, where FlexAdvert became incompatible with iJoomla magazine. Newest release has no problems.

I install this calendar on many of my Joomla sites, and I've never been disappointed!

It's a nice little component for displaying a simple portfolio. An image gallery works better for certain applications, but this no-frills approach is perfect for a few of my sites.

The CSS manipulation is cumbersome for those without a lot of CSS experience.

Fastest DHTML creation I've ever done. I've got intermediate CSS skills and I can manage certain DHTML solutions... but I find a lot of the menu extensions for Joomla to be too complex or confusing for me.

I was able to get swMenu working for me in MINUTES. I will be purchasing Pro for all my professional sites!

Just downloaded and put to use, and it will save me tons of time! Rich in features, handles multiple sites/users with ease.

Not much room for improvement!

Before configuration it appeared with script errors, and only after it was linked to a section (via section ID in the module config) did the errors go away and the sidebar appear properly.

Works great now though! Will be excellent for my blog-based client.

I'm lazy, let's just put that right out there on the table. I hate assembling the XML file, and the free extension didn't work. Buying this kit was worth it just for that.

Yes, the individual buttons for the main positions can be gotten with Joomlasolutions (also free) but for some reason I really like this kit and don't mind using the two-button method.

I've made 5 or 6 templates "by hand" before getting the Media 65 kit, and I can say without a doubt that this kit is worth the money for anyone whose time is valuable.

The one thing that bothered me when listening to the video was the "joom mal" thing over and over and over again.

Brian please, remake the video and say it right. Please.

That said, the "convert images to CMS" and back to Dreamweaver features are awesome, and if you pair this kit with JSAS (Joomla Stand Alone Server) you can create really nice templates in no time.

It painsssssssssss me to pay money for an extension to put in a FREE CMS, but I think I made the right choice here.