Feature - Allow to display multiple Phoca Docs

[sgudek]

Hello,

Thanks for such a great component.

From what i could find out, you could define which sections to show in the parameters. Great; however, there are more than one MAIN MENU sections i want to use Phoca for, and each instant Phoca NEEDS to show the contents of sections that are IN that menu.

Say:

1) Menu: Technology
included sections: Notebook, PC, game console
Assign a submenu to call PHOCA, which should show content of TECHNOLOGY sections ONLY

2) Menu: Economy
included sections: Politics, bush, obama
Assign another submenu here, call Phoca, which should show content of ECONOMY sections oNLY


I found XMap component, which accomplishes this via use of Sitemap logic, see below:



I think Phoca is a great component, and it should be fairly easy to implement this. Is it possible to do it via Phoca now? if not, could you implement it?

Thanks

[Jan]

Hi, there is no such option yet, I am working on it, the problem is Itemid in different menus and going up and down (from section to category to articles and back with different menu Itemids , this is the problem, why Phoca Documentation still doesn't have more settings in menu links )

Jan

[akerman]

Hi,

I have two 'Mainmenu' instances of PhocaDocuments. One for 'Tutorials' and one for 'Demo'.
Just set up the manimenu item and then connect that to the component.
In the mainmenu selection (parameters) I set the respective Section that is active in each PhocaDocument instance.

Having a hard time understanding the approach above, since a Joomla! menuitem can only be used for either a component, a content item (section/category/article) or a link. The example above:

1) Menu: Technology
included sections: Notebook, PC, game console
Assign a submenu to call PHOCA, which should show content of TECHNOLOGY sections ONLY

Indicates to me, a wish for using Sections, within Sections - which is not possible in native Joomla!

But then again 'sgudek', maybe I'm wrong...

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And just for info / knowledge:

When using this component or any other function in Joomla! in regards to content and structure, it is important to have a clear mindset and to understand the Joomla! view on the concept of Section and Category, and the actual functionally, or lack thereof.


Section in Joomla! can be compared to a file cabinet. (Ex 'Technology' file cabinet)
Category in Jomla can be compared to a drawer in the file cabinet. (Ex 'Radio' drawer)
Article in Joomla can be compared to a folder in the drawer. (Ex. 'Frequency locking issues' )

This Joomla! structure have some major drawbacks.
1. There are NO sub categories natively in Joomla!.
Joomla! need other Extensions to handle that and most commonly these subcategories are only for that
specific extension. Not Joomla! content (articles).

2. Special considerations must be taken BEFORE starting to set up Section and Categories.
Otherwise it is more than likely you'll find yourself in a spot where your structure does not allow
for expansion. Or you are forced to cram articles into less appropriate drawers (categories).

In the example above it is clear that the structure in Joomla! really would benefit from sub-categories.
I mean the 'Radio' drawer will most likely become full with articles that otherwise would have been more logical to put in another subcategory (like 'Wireless or FM), rather then just end up under 'Radio'.

The cure for this is to thoroughly think through your own Section/Category logic and most likely make more sections. Not a beautiful solution, but a must really.

This nice extension does not create a new structure in Joomla! with new functionality, it simply arranges existing structure into something more comprehensible than simple page navigation (native Joomla!).
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So, even if Jan manages to make the Extension of all times (and he has a good chance!...), he still is like the rest of us; a slave under the existing circumstances in the Joomla! CMS.

Just wanted to share...

Regards
Akerman

[Jan]