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My Blog: User Manual

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Contents

[edit] Introduction

Thank you for your purchase! We do appreciate your support. Welcome to MyBlog! The ultimate Joomla! blogging experience.

[edit] What is MyBlog?

MyBlog is a blogging system for Joomla!. Hassle free... fully customizable... packed with powerful features... and designed to be blogger friendly. In Short, a Joomla! blogger's best friend.

NOTE: MyBlog does not include a commenting system. In order to be able to comment on your wonderful blog posts, you will need to install JomComment, our comment system component, or other comment systems.

[edit] MyBlog Features

Hassle Free

  • Simple installation
  • Easy configuration
  • Intuitive controls
  • Integrated pop-up editor


Customizable

  • Fully customizable interface via simple template system. Get it to look like you want it to.
  • Avatar support (Gravatar, Community Builder, SMF). Now every blogger has a face!
  • Integration with 3rd party components (JomComment). You decide what's you want on your blog!


Blogger Friendly

  • RSS
  • Technorati Pings
  • Social Bookmarking
  • Multiple bloggers
  • Front end edit/write
  • Smilies
  • BBcode support
  • "A Bird's Eye View" listing of all postings at MyBlog's frontpage with pagination.
  • Wordpress-like Modules (Latest Entries, Latest Comments, Tag Clouds, Bloggers, Most Popular Blogs and Archives).

[edit] System Requirements.

Joomla! Version MyBlog is compatible with both Joomla! 1.0 and Joomla! 1.5. Please use the appropriate files to install on each version.

Server-side Requirements PHP version 5 MySQL version 4.?

[edit] Installation

[edit] Installing MyBlog

  1. Unzip the installation package you downloaded.
    • " com_myblog_pro_unzip_first.zip "

Take note of the location that you unzip them to. You should find the following files: " com_myblog_pro_joomla-1.0.x.tar.gz " " com_myblog_pro_joomla-1.5.x.tar.gz " " cb.myblogtab.zip " " sef_myblog.zip " " azvideobot.zip " 

     And a directory:
     " Modules "
  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end.
  1. For Joomla! 1.0 
     Go to "Installers-->Components"

     For Joomla! 1.5
     Go to "Extensions-->Install/Uninstall

     IMPORTANT: Please make sure the directory permissions of the necessary
     directories are set to "writeable". For instructions on how to do this please
     refer to the "Common Issues" section of this user manual under the title
     "Directory Permissions".
  1. Simply enter the address/location of the install file in the "Package File" 
     field or click the "Browse" button to point to its location.

     The install files for MyBlog are as below:

     For Joomla! 1.0
     " com_myblog_pro_Joomla-1.0.x.tar.gz ". Included in the install package.

     For Joomla! 1.5
     " com_myblog_pro_Joomla-1.5.x.tar.gz ". Included in the install package.
  1. Once everything is ready, click the "Upload File And Install" button and 
     just wait for the successful install message.

[edit] Mambots/Plugins

MyBlog will automatically install all the mambots/plug-ins needed for it to function during the install process.

Just in case it did not automatically install, or you need to re-install because of a corrupted mambot, follow the steps below:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end.
  2. For Joomla! 1.0 Go to "Installers --> Mambots" For Joomla! 1.5 Go to "Extensions --> Install/Uninstall"
  3. Simply enter the address/location of the install file in the "Package File" field or click the "Browse" button to point to its location. The install files for the mambots are as below:
    • Azrul System Mambot " azrul_mambot.zip ". Please download from http://support.azrul.com
    • Azrul Video Bot " azvideobot.zip ". Included in the install package
  4. Once everything is ready, click the "Upload File And Install" button and just wait for the successful install message.

The mambots/plug-ins needed for MyBlog are:

Azrul System Mambot Our custom framework that acts as an interface between our component and the Joomla! architecture.

Azrul Video Mambot Our video mambot that allows for videos to be posted as content on MyBlog posts.

[edit] Installing MyBlog's Modules

MyBlog comes with various modules to enhance your Joomla! blogging experience.

More details about the modules can be found in the "Customizing MyBlog" section of this manual under the title "MyBlog's Modules".

To install the modules simply follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end.
  2. For Joomla! 1.0 Go to "Installers --> Modules" For Joomla! 1.5 Go to "Extensions --> Install/Uninstall"
  3. Simply enter the address/location of the install file in the "Package File" field or click the "Browse" button to point to its location.The files for MyBlog's Modules can be found in the "Modules" directorythat you get when you unzipped the installation package. The files are as below:
    • mod_myblog_archive.zip
    • mod_myblog_blogger.zip
    • mod_myblog_category.zip
    • mod_myblog_comments.zip
    • mod_myblog_tag.zip
    • mod_myblog_latest.zip
    • mod_myblog_latest_intro.zip
  4. Once everything is ready, click the "Upload File And Install" button and just wait for the successful install message. Install each module that you want.

[edit] Creating A Menu Link To MyBlog's Frontpage

Now that you have MyBlog installed. you'd want to create a menu item to link to MyBlog's frontpage. So that visitors can view your brand new blog!

To do this simply follow the steps below:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end.
  2. Go to "Menu --> Menu Manager" from the drop down menu.
  3. Select the menu you want to put the link to MyBlog's frontpage to and click on the icon next to it under "Menu Items". This will bring up a display showing the menu items for that particular menu.
  4. Click on "New" icon on the upper right hand corner. This will bring you to the a page showing the available options for new menu items.
  5. For Joomla! 1.0 In the "Components" section select "Component" and click the "Next" icon on the top right hand corner. For Joomla! 1.5 Under the "Internal Links" collapsible list, click on "MyBlog". In the next page simply enter the name you want for the menu item in the "Name" field, let's say "My Blog" and click on the "Save" icon on the top right hand corner.

Well! You are now set! You should find the menu item on your menu and it will link to MyBlog's frontpage.

[edit] "Usermenu" Item

During installation MyBlog will automatically create a menu item in your default "Usermenu".

The menu item, "MyBlog Dashboard", will link to a particular user's MyBlog dashboard.

This is the control interface by which a user can manage his or her blog account. More information about it can be found in the "Interface" section of this manual under the title "Front End Interface".

[edit] Interface

[edit] The Front End Interface

MyBlog's Frontpage


MyBlog's Toolbar

  • Home
  • Tags
  • Search
  • Feed


MyBlog's Dashboard

  • My Entries This tab lists all your blog entries. There is also a button "Write New Entry" which if clicked will call up the editor for you to add an entry.
  • Preference A section for you to input a description for your personal blog.
  • Stats This tab will display the statistics for your blog.
  • Comments Here you can manage the comments on your blog entries. Provided that you have JomComment installed.

MyBlog's Editor

  • Title Field This is where you enter the title for your blog post.
  • Main Body The main text entry area.
  • Sidebar
    • Publish Information Here you can set your post either to be published or not as well as set the date for the post.
    • Tags Here you can tag your blog post with tags, to organize them into groups.
    • Images and documents The interface to upload images to the site and place them on your posts.
    • Search older posts You can search older posts to look for posts with similar entries as well as look for entries to quote.
    • Embed videos A tool to embed videos into your posts.
  • Save button To save your entry you can click the save button. There are two available, "Save" and "Save & Close". "Save" will just the entry and keep the editor open, while "Save & Close" will save the data and close the editor afterwards.
  • Close button This button will close the editor. Make sure you have saved everything for closing the editor with this button won't save your data.

[edit] The Back End Control Panel

Admin Panel

Configuration

General Settings

Tabs:

General

Permissions

Layout

Dashboard

Tags

Content Mambots/Plug-ins Integration

Maintenance

Manage Blog Entries

Write New

View All

View Unpublished Entries

About/Support

About MyBlog

Check For Latest News

License Information

Support

[edit] Basic Usage

[edit] Creating a new entry

[edit] Editing an existing entry

[edit] Adding Images

How To Add Images

Managing Image Storage

MyBlog Image Browser

Setting Root Directory

Setting Browsing Permissions

[edit] Adding Video

How To Add Videos

Supported Video Formats

[edit] MyBlog Tags

Tags And Categories

Tagging An Article

Organizing With Tags

[edit] RSS in MyBlog

MyBlog supports RSS feeds for its content.

[edit] Social Bookmarking

MyBlog supports social bookmarking. Allowing you to share your blog with friends in your social network.

Available Bookmarks

  • del.icio.us
  • digg this
  • spurl
  • reddit
  • furl this

[edit] Technorati And Trackbacks

Technorati Pings MyBlog can be set to automatically ping Technorati every time you posts a new article. Your blog will picked up by Technorati.

Trackbacks MyBlog allows trackbacks both incoming and outgoing, allowing you to link your article to outside posts and vice-versa.

[edit] MyBlog Search Feature

Dashboard Search Toolbar Search Editor Search

[edit] Customizing MyBlog

[edit] Templates

MyBlog Templates

  • Default
  • Sky3c
  • Andreas
  • Blue-Style
  • Brown-Light
  • Dark-Grey

Changing The Default Template

Editing MyBlog's Templates

Submit Your Templates

[edit] Languages

Changing The Default Language

Available Languages

  • English
  • Swedish
  • Spanish
  • Polish
  • Italian
  • French


Editing The Language File

Hard-coded Texts

Submit You Translations & Corrections

[edit] MyBlog Modules

Available modules

Archive Shows the months of the year and clicking on a month will show all the blog entries made during that month.

Category Displays the categories under which the blog posts are organized under. Clicking on a category will list all blog entries which is categorized under it.

Latest Displays the latest blog entries. Clicking on a particular entry will link to that entry's page.

Latest With Intro Displays the latest blog entries with a short introtext for each entry. Clicking on an entry will link to that particular entry's page.

Tags Displays a list or a "cloud" of tags which

Blogger This module displays all the bloggers on the blog. Clicking on a Blogger name will link to the blogger's page.

Comments Displays the latest comments made to the blog entries.

[edit] Avatars in MyBlog

MyBlog supports avatars for bloggers. The following avatars are supported

  • Gravatar
  • Fireboard
  • Community Builder
  • Simple Machines Forum (SMF)

[edit] Blogger Page

Clicking on a blogger name on the Blogger Module or on the linked text on blog posts will link to the blogger page. This is the page for individual bloggers. In essence it is a micro blog for that blogger. The page will show the blogger's avatar, a description of his or her blog as well as list all articles written by that particular blogger.

[edit] 3rd Party Integration

[edit] MyBlog and JomComment

MyBlog is designed to work hand in hand with JomComment, our comment system component. Its integration is actually built in.

In order to enable JomComment integration with MyBlog, simply follow the steps below after installing JomComment:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end
  2. Go to "Components --> My Blog"
  3. In "General Settings" in the "General" tab look for the option for "JomComment Integration"
  4. Click on the tick box next to it to activate "JomComment Integration" with MyBlog.

You are all set. You now have comments enabled for your blog posts.

[edit] Using Content Mambots/Plugins

Content Mambots

  1. Install the mambots/plugins
  2. Publish the mambots in your "Extensions --> Modules"
  3. Enable the mambots in MyBlog's back end control panel

[edit] MyBlog and Community Builder

To use MyBlog with CB

  1. Install MyBlog.
  2. Install MyBlog Tab as CB plugin
  3. Load the Tab in CB

[edit] Other 3rd Party Components

Content Mambots

Picture Gallery


[edit] Common Issues

Here you will find some common issues often faced during MyBlog installation and their know solutions.

[edit] Directory Permissions

In order to install MyBlog, files needed to be copied to certain directories and locations.

For this to happen you need to make sure the directory permissions for the necessary directories are set to "Writeable"

Checking Directory Permissions In order find out the directory permissions,

For Joomla! 1.0 Look in "System --> System Info"

In the "Permissions" tab.

The directories are:

administrator/backups/ administrator/components/ administrator/modules/ administrator/templates/ components/ images/ images/banners/ images/stories/ language/ mambots/ mambots/content/ mambots/editors/ mambots/editors-xtd/ mambots/search/ mambots/system/ media/ modules/ templates/ cache/ tmp/

For Joomla! 1.5 Look in "Help --> System Info"

In the "Directory Permissions" tab.

The directories are:

administrator/backups/ administrator/components/ administrator/language/ administrator/language/en-GB/ *May depend on the language used administrator/modules/ administrator/templates/ components/ images/ images/banners/ images/stories/ language/ language/en-GB/ *May depend on the language used language/pdf_fonts/ modules/ plugins/ plugins/content/ plugins/editors/ plugins/editors-xtd/ plugins/search/ plugins/system/ plugins/user/ plugins/xmlrpc/ tmp/ templates/ cache/ administrator/cache/


Setting Directory Permissions You can set the directory permissions using any of the methods below:

JoomXplorer JoomXplorer is a back end extension for Joomla! that gives you access to the files in your site. Simply navigate JoomXplorer's interface and change the attributes of the needed directories.

You can download it from http://

FTP Simply access the FTP for your hosting account and change the attributes of the directories. Either using an FTP manager or your internet browser.

Control Panel In some hosting accounts you can manipulate the files and directories in your site via the control panel. Simply access your control panel and change the necessary permissions to the necessary directories.

NOTE: This is not an issue with Joomla! 1.5 if you set the FTP access for Joomla! so that it can directly access the directories via FTP.


[edit] Tips & Tricks

[edit] Using MyBlog's Frontpage As Your Home Page

If you run a blog site sometimes you would want your MyBlog frontpage to literally BE your site's frontpage or home page.

If you are wondering how to do this?

Here's how

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end.
  2. Go to "Menu --> mainmenu", the default main menu for your site.
  3. You will get a list of menu items for "mainmenu"
  4. Make sure you have already created the menu item that links to MyBlog's frontpage, let say you name it "MyBlog".
  5. For Joomla! 1.0 Use the arrows under "Reorder" to move the MyBlog menu item to the first position. or simply type the position numbers in the "Order" field and then press the save icon (the small disk icon) next to the heading. Make sure that the MyBlog menu item is numbered "1" and number the rest accordingly. For Joomla! 1.5 Notice the star icon under the heading "Default" on the list of menu items. It should be next to the "Home" menu item. Tick the box on the left of the MyBlog menu item to select it and then press the default icon (the star icon) on the tool bar on the top right side. Notice now that on the menu item list under the "Default" heading, the star icon is now next to the MyBlog menu item.

Voila! Your MyBlog frontpage is now your site's frontpage or home page.

[edit] Useful URL Links

[edit] A Multi-Blogger Blog

MyBlog is a multi-blogger blog, which means that you can have more then one blogger on your blog.


[edit] Uninstalling MyBLog

While we don't foresee this happening, because we work hard to ensure that MyBlog is the best blogging experience we can make it to be. Though, Everyone is entitled to their own preference as well as likes an dislikes.

Just in case you need to uninstall MyBlog, we have included this section for your reference.

[edit] Uninstalling MyBlog Component

To uninstall the MyBlog component from your site follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end
  2. For Joomla! 1.0 Go to "Installers --> Components" Click on the radio button next to "My Blog" in the component list to select it. For Joomla! 1.5 Go to "Extensions --> Install/Uninstall" Click on the "Components" Tabs Click on the radio button next to My Blog" in the component list to select it.
  3. Click on the "Uninstall" icon on the toolbar on the top right hand corner.
  4. Wait for the successful uninstall message and you are done.

[edit] Uninstalling Mambots/Plugins

The MyBlog uninstall script will automatically remove the "Azrul Video Mambot". However the "Azrul System Mambot" is not removed because this mambot is actually shared and used by all our components. So, in case you do have our other components installed, we leave the "Azrul System Mambot" untouched.

Thus you need to uninstall the "Azrul System Mambot" manually.

Or in case your mambots are corrupted and you need to uninstall before reinstalling a clean version. Or maybe you need to upgrade the mambots.

To uninstall the mambots from your site follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end
  2. For Joomla! 1.0 Go to "Installers --> Mambots" Click on the radio button next to "Azrul System Mambot" in the component list to select it. For Joomla! 1.5Go to "Extensions --> Install/Uninstall" Click on the "Plugins" Tabs Click on the tick box next to "Azrul System Mambot" in the component list to select it.
  3. Click on the "Uninstall" icon on the toolbar on the top right hand corner.
  4. Wait for the successful uninstall message and you are done. Repeat the process for each mambot/plugin you need removed.

The mambot/plugins you need to uninstall are

  • Azrul System Mambot
  • Azrul Video Bot

[edit] Uninstalling MyBlog Modules

The MyBlog modules are not automatically removed by MyBlog's uninstaller script. You will need to uninstall them manually.

To uninstall the MyBlog modules from your site follow these steps:


  1. Log in to your Joomla! site's back end
  2. For Joomla! 1.0 Go to "Installers --> Modules"Click on the radio button next to a module that begins with "mod_myblog" in the component list to select it. For Joomla! 1.5 Go to "Extensions --> Install/Uninstall" Click on the "Modules" Tabs Click on the tick box next to a module that begins with "mod_myblog" in the component list to select it.
  3. Click on the "Uninstall" icon on the toolbar on the top right hand corner.
  4. Wait for the successful uninstall message and you are done. Repeat the process for all installed modules.


MyBlog modules are as follows:

  • mod_myblog_archive
  • mod_myblog_blogger
  • mod_myblog_category
  • mod_myblog_comments
  • mod_myblog_tag
  • mod_myblog_latest
  • mod_myblog_latest_intro

[edit] Removing MyBlog Data

As a precaution, MyBlog does not delete its data during uninstall. This is to allow for uninstalls for upgrades or to repair corrupted installs.

To remove MyBlog's data from your site you will need access to the phpMyAdmin panel for your site.


  1. Log in to the phpMyAdmin where your database is hosted.
  2. Access the particular database used by your Joomla! site and select it from the left hand panel.
  3. Once selected, find and delete all tables that begins with "jos_myblog".


The tables are:

  • jos_myblog_bots
  • jos_myblog_categories
  • jos_myblog_config
  • jos_myblog_content_categories
  • jos_myblog_images
  • jos_myblog_mambots
  • jos_myblog_permalinks
  • jos_myblog_tb_sent
  • jos_myblog_uploads
  • jos_myblog_user


After deleting the tables listed above, all your MyBlog data will be gone.

[edit] License Information

SOFTWARE LICENSE AND LIMITED WARRANTY This is a legally binding agreement between you and Azrul.com. By installing and/or using this software, you are agreeing to become bound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, do not use this software.

GRANT OF LICENSE Azrul.com grants to you a non-exclusive right to use this software program (hereinafter the "Software") in accordance with the terms contained in this Agreement. You may use the Software on a single computer. If you have purchased a site license, you may use the Software on the number of websites defined by and in accordance with the site license.

UPGRADES. If you acquired this software as an upgrade of a previous version, this Agreement replaces and supersedes any prior Agreements. You may not continue to use any prior versions of the Software, and nor may you distribute prior versions to other parties.

OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE. Azrul.com retains the copyright, title, and ownership of the Software and the written materials.

COPIES. You may make as many copies of the software as you wish, as long as you guarantee that the software can only be used on one website (joomla installation) in any one instance. You may not distribute copies of the Software or accompanying written materials to others.

TRANSFERS. You may not transfer the Software to another person provided that you have a written permission from Azrul.com . You may not transfer the Software from one website to another without notifying Azrul.com first.In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of the Software on a temporary basis.

TERMINATION. This Agreement is effective until terminated. This Agreement will terminate automatically without notice from Azrul.com if you fail to comply with any provision of this Agreement. Upon termination you shall destroy the written materials and all copies of the Software, including modified copies, if any.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. Azrul.com disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non infringement.

OTHER WARRANTIES EXCLUDED. Azrul.com shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, exemplary, punitive or incidental damages arising from any cause even if Azrul.com has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Certain jurisdictions do not permit the limitation or exclusion of incidental damages, so this limitation may not apply to you. In no event will Azrul.com be liable for any amount greater than what you actually paid for the Software. Should any other warranties be found to exist, such warranties shall be limited in duration to 15 days following the date you install the Software.

EXPORT LAWS. You agree that you will not export the Software or documentation.

PROPERTY. This software, including its code, documentation, appearance, structure, and organization is an exclusive product of the Azrul.com, which retains the property rights to the software, its copies, modifications, or merged parts.

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