The Joomla! Extensions Directory ™

I wanted a good, solid events calendar for my Jomsocial installation that was simple, not bloated, and aesthetically pleasing. After looking through all the usual suspects, I found this per a recommendation from GavickPro blog.

This fully GPL solution cost a whopping $8.00 (yes, you read that right... eight lousy US bucks - which won't even by two combo meals at your average fast food joint). However, it installs and works like a dream.

Major plus points:

JQUERY - Not only is it backed by the power of jQuery, but even comes with the option of disabling jQuery/ jQuery UI embedding (very useful for those like me who use plugins like SC Query or JBLibrary).

THEMING - This calendar uses jQuery UI. You have the option of using the predefined themes (and most them are readily selectable within this module) OR go roll your own at the Themeroller lab - yep, this extension can take your custom themes too. And as a BONUS... if you use SC Query (a free plugin also available here at the JED), you can simply have SC Query load jQuery UI, then select your theme from the options provided in the module.

DOCUMENTATION - This is a HUGE plus, as many extensions suffer from EXTREMELY poor docs, if any are provided at all. READ the doc enclosed, and it explains pretty much everything.

SUPPORT - The developer is very responsive and concerned that you like his work. I found Andrew very approachable and eager to help.

But you want a calendar COMPONENT, you say?

Just download the free and amazing M2C (module to component) extension (also listed here at the JED), put your JS Events Calendar module in a unique template module position (I created one called "calendar"), and then assign that position when you add M2C to your menu items. You now have an instant Jomsocial calendar "component" that looks amazing and a lot more expensive than what it is.

There are only a handful of extensions I've ever been this pleased with (especially commercial, as that lot has proven particularly disappointing overall). This is definitely one of them. Kudos to the developer. Most highly recommended.

First, you must understand, I am someone who is completely disappointed with most so-called "commercial" extensions. I have spent $$$ on several, that are now littering my hard drive because they are poorly coded and/or poorly supported (if the developers are even still around).

That is NOT the case with EasyBlog. It installs quickly, is not bloated, intuitive to use with all the features a blogger could want. Even my "newbie" beta testers figured out how to use it with no help from me - and THAT is really the sign of well-thought-out software. It is completely Open Source, and its use of MVC means changing the appearance is not a brain burn. But it comes with some relatively attractive templates out of the box (again a RARITY for extensions) so I just picked one and ran with it - saving me even more time.

Stack Ideas, the producers of EasyBlog, are amazing. Not only is the product top-notch (just go use the demo - and yes, developers, your demo IS your sales pitch), but the support is even better.

Let me tell you how great this team is:

My site runs Mootools (have to, due to Joomla core), jQuery and Ajax. That combination is stomach-churning as any Joomla person well knows. And my case was no exception. In fact, EasyBlog ran into some serious issues in my frontend due to this unholy trio.

I shouldn't have worried - Sam was on the case. He literally troubleshot my site off and on over the last WEEK to pin-point the issue. Turns out the problems were due to a couple of plugins. One I can live without until a replacement comes along. The second actually loaded jQuery in my frontend, so that HAD to get replaced (as for some reason it didn't properly resolve my Mootools and jQuery conflicts. Fortunately, there is the SC Query plugin (right here for free at the JED) that when installed completely resolved all such issues.

Because of Stack Ideas, my beta testers are happy and my site will launch on time.

I cannot speak highly enough of this product or its team. Go. Buy. NOW. You will NOT be disappointed.