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An Overview

An Overview

Here you can find out about the different kinds of modules available for use with your Joomla! Installation, including the ability to present Modules and their associated content (Articles in the case of Newsflash Modules, or Banners in the case of Banner Modules) within one or more Articles - see Modules within Articles.

These are installed as part of the default Joomla! Installation. There are however many many more Third Party Modules that you can obtain and install.

Working with modules is however for more advanced users. The ones you will work with when you first start using your Joomla! assist with navigation menus - the 'mainmenu' modules.

You will not at first need to even open a module but as you become more experienced you will find that modules are powerful tools!

 

Modules are Containers

They operate in conjunction with Templates and Positions, directing the presentation of content (for example, Newsflash Articles) across your website.

 

Modules present content in Positions

When a visitor to your site clicks on a link, the content requested from the database is presented in the Main Body of your website.

You can however 'tell' your Joomla! to present content anywhere on the screen through the use of Template Positions.

What are Positions?

Positions are 'placemats' where any number of containers called 'modules' can be located - according to the instructions in the template.

 

The Wheres ...

You control where content is presented by reference to the Positions set out in your Joomla! Template' Position Map.

We say we are Assigning a Module to a Position when we do this.

For example, you can assign (or tell) a module to present content on the left or the right. You can even assign it to present both on the left and the right at the same time if you like - simply copy the module assigned to the left and assign the copy to the right.

You can even assign several modules to the same position at the same time (they will apear in the order we set in the Control Panel).

Any Module can be copied and assigned as many times as you wish. It avoids confusion to change the name of the module when copied.

 

... and the Whens!

When you assign a Module to a Position you are telling it WHERE to present content.

But you also tell it WHEN to present content. For example, only on the Home Page or only when someone elects the menu link called Contact Us.

 

In Summary

The module is a container and ensures pre-designated information is presented to the reader as intended by you the website administrator.

In other words, the information will appear on screen in the module in the position determined by the template!

Using Modules to Control Layout

Using Modules to Control Layout

Here we focus on how the use of Modules determines the website layout viewed by visitors to your website.

 

How Use of Modules affects the Content Presentation

You can control how your content is presented to site visitors by assigning Modules to Template Positions.

To assign a Module to a Position, you first login to the Control Panel.

You then select Extensions from the menu at the top of the screen, followed by Modules.

You are then able to choose the Module you wish to configure.

When you open the Module's control panel you will be able to select the Position you want to assign the Module to from a list.

 

Wynchcote Templates contain many Positions

You can choose to assign Modules to any one or more of these Positions.

The two main positions are the LEFT Position and the RIGHT Position.

Here we demonstrate how you can control whether your website content is presented in one, two or three column layout when a visitor clicks on a Menu Link, by assigning Mosules to Positions; in other words by changing the Module Settings in the Control Panel.

 

There are 4 Distinct Website Layouts:

 

3 Column Layout	2 Column Layout	2 Column Layout	1 Column Layout
When modules are published in positions in all three columns.	When no modules are published in positions in the right column.	When no modules are published in positions in the left column.	When no modules are published in positions in the left or right column.

 

2-Column Layout (left sidebar visible)

If no Modules are assigned to the Right Template Position then the right sidebar will not be displayed.

Assuming a Module is assigned to display in the left sidebar then you will see a 2-column layout on the screen.

Example: select Introduction from the Wynchcote Websites Menu.

2-Column Layout (right sidebar visible)

If no Modules are assigned to the Left Template Position then the left sidebar will not be displayed

Assuming a Module is assigned to display in the right sidebar then you will see a 2-column layout on the screen.

Example: select Contact Us from the Bottom Menu.

3-Column Layout

If Modules are assigned to display in both the Left and Right Template Positions then you will see a 3-column layout on the screen.

Example: select Home from the Top Menu.

1-Column Layout

If there are no Modules assigned to either Left or Right Template Positions then you will be presented with a 1-column layout.

Example: select Wrapper Link from the Example Links Menu.

Note: The above examples assume that you have not yet changed the default settings of any Menu Modules.