The Joomla! Extensions Directory ™

This is my first Joomla Extensions Review and although I have been using Joomla since v1.0.9, this is the first time I have been sufficiently motivated to write an extension review.

I have been using Joomla since v1.0.8 and SOBI2 since RC 2.7.2 (16-Jun-2007). This review is an inadequate way of saying "thanks" to the SOBI Developers for their free component and on-going support. (We all promise to 'donate' or 'sponsor', but somehow never get around to parting with that hard-earned cash, right?)

*** Getting Started
Like Joomla, SOBI2 has an initial learning curve, but once you have grasped the basic concepts of how it operates, more and more flexibility and possibilities are revealed.

Like Joomla, the SOBI2 component installation has the option to install example data, to help you become familiar with how the component functions.

Like Joomla, the SOBI2 component has public and support forums, download centers, demo sites, and on-line documentation.

*** Flexible, Customizable
SOBI2 is a potential solution for a wide range of applications.
Because the SOBI2 component is so flexible/customizable, and has a wide range plugins/modules/extensions (over 29 available at 10-Oct-2008), it is somewhat difficult to adequately describe the scope of SOBI2's capabilities and potential applications. The Developers describe it as a "directory component ... to show entries of companies, clubs, persons, shops, products". This description perhaps understates the component's capabilities and potential applications. For example, this Joomla Extensions Directory could have easily have been created using SOBI2, and provide an identical look, feel, behavior, and functionality.

I selected SOBI2 for a Real Estate application after evaluating EZ Realty, CMS Realty, and a few other possibilities (Mosets Hot Property - didn't bother due to the lack of developer support, at that time). I have some HTML, CSS and PHP coding skills and found it relatively easy to customize SOBI2 to meet the needs of my Real Estate application.

It was a decision I have never regretted. My only complaint is that, although the component can be cloned with some effort, there is currently no 'official Cloning Tool' to make it easier to clone the SOBI2 component for different applications in the same Joomla installation, but requiring completely different application behaviors and datasets. (**Update** – 2 days after writing this Review, the SOBI2 Developers released a ‘Cloning Tool’ on 12-Oct-2008)

Flexibility - The only way I can think to best describe the flexibility of the SOBI2 Component is to say that it has a degree of flexibility similar to the Community Builder component - (Community Builder users will understand what I mean).

Customizing - The component has been designed with customization in mind. With basic HTML, CSS and PHP knowledge and skills it is easy to configure a SOBI2 component installation look and and behave completely differently from another.

Experienced PHP, SQL, HTML coders can develop their own SOBI2 plugins, modules, extensions. The SOBI2 Forums contain numerous examples.

*** Scaling - large & small applications
Scalability - SOBI2 has been designed with scalability and performance in mind. There is no software limit to the amount of data and data relationships SOBI2 can maintain. Separate caching is configurable. It is usually environmental issues - shared hosting, php.ini, mySQL, etc configurations which initially limit scalability.

*** Development, Support, Maintenance
Development - is on-going. The latest release as at 10-Oct-2008, is RC 2.9.0 which is the 13th update since I began using it. The ability to release new features quickly is a testament to the structured coding used by the developers.

Although the SOBI Authors prefix their version releases with RC (which normally indicates a Release Candidate), do not be fooled, these are stable, production quality, and well tested releases. Updating can accomplished without compromising the operation of a 'live site'.

Support - is excellent through the public SOBI Forums. Community experts contribute, as do the SOBI2 Developers (there are only two, Neo & Trinity - I do not know how they find the time).

Documentation - is above average and adequate. Release Notes, Change Log, Installation and Upgrading Instructions are comprehensive. The free on-line User Manual would benefit from greater user contributions (but who likes to write documentation, eh?). Commercial plugins/modules released by the Developers have excellent documentation included in the purchase price as well as 'paying customer' priority and private Support Forums.

Demo Sites - Two Developer maintained Demo Sites are available - one with the standard 'out-of-the-box' Joomla and SOBI2 default configurations, with minor Template and CSS tweaks. The other a standard installation, but re-configured (no custom code) installation, with more CSS tweaks and more optional modules/plug-ins installed. Administrator 'back-end' access is available to both Demo Sites.

Maintenance - is on-going. Each new release contains bug fixes, enhanced/additional functionality, and enhancements to maintain forwards and backwards compatibility with ever evolving Joomla. Users can report bugs through the forum and these are responded to very quickly. Qualified users can participate in pre-release testing.

*** Basic Operation
Administrator(s) can;
. configure what data fields and types of data (text,numbers,dates,radio buttons,drop-down lists,URI's, etc) describe an Entry in the Directory/Library/Catalog,
. configure for each data field, whether data entry into that field is free or chargable,
.configure what types of files (image, video and audio) can associated with an 'Entry' for display/download,
. configure, via Categories, potential relationships between 'Entries',
. configure via Templates how those Entries are displayed,
. configure User Rights
. be a User

Users can;
. Browse, Search, Navigate, Display Entries and download files,
(and depending on User Rights)
. add/modify/delete Entries,
. upload files to be associated with an Entry,
. categorize, re-categorize Entries

*** Bottom Line
. A highly configurable Directory/Library/Catalog application/component.
. A wide range of Language Packs is available (or make your own).
. The SOBI2 component is suitable for both novice and expert Web Site Developers/Administrators.
. A 'Learning Curve' similar to Joomla