Joomla needs… an integrated back-up system

2 03 2010

Note:  This is a blog post about something I’d like to see in Joomla.  Any future post starting with “Joomla Needs:” will be a post where I discuss what I’d like to see to be added to Joomla, and won’t contain any solutions.  Just a heads up. 

Every monday, a boring task awaits me.  A task that I’d gladly “forget about” if I hadn’t created a re-occurring task in Thunderbird.  Monday is when I make the manual back-ups of our client’s Joomla databases.  This means I’ve got to go to the PHPMyadmin panel of the website of my clients – spread out over 3 hosting providers and 5 servers – to export the database and store it somewhere safely.  Because our customers all have their “own” hosting package; I’ve got to do this for every individual website – all 30 of them.  Luckily our own two servers – one for development; one for production – allow me to use a mass back-up tool.  But that’s besides the point.

This made me think.  Shouldn’t Joomla have a built-in option to back-up your database?  The technology to quickly make back-ups of mysql databases already exists – one fine example is phpmybackuppro –, so how hard can it be for the Joomla developers to create a derivate of this technology and add it to the Joomla Core?  Now, before you start cursing at me:  I’m aware that it could be hard. I don’t know, I’m not a programmer myself.  But I know for a fact that this functionality would make my life easier. 

You might wonder why I’m only mentioning database back-ups.  That’s because, imho, the database is the heart of the Joomla CMS.  Any and all of the files can be replaced, but your database can’t simply be replaced by an other one.  Unlike all the files, every bit of data stored in your database could be crucial to your site.  And that’s why I think a built-in back-up option for your database would be an excellent idea.

edit in big red letters:

Brian Teeman  pointed out that I didn’t do my research well, because there ARE plug-ins that do just what I suggest – make a fast, simple back-up of your database. 

He’s absolutely right.  A quick search learns me that there are indeed many plug-ins to back-up your database.  My bad.  I don’t know, but for some reason, I never even thought about looking for such a plug-in…  Thank Joomla for people smarted than me ;-)    


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Joomla, Opinion

How to: Install Exchange SP2 on a SBS 2008 Server

25 02 2010

Are you considering installing Exchange 2007 service pack 2, on your SBS 2008 server?  Apparently, you can’t just download the Service Pack and start installing it; as SBS 2008 doesn’t “officially support” it.  That would usually mean that you’d have to use a painfull, manual workaround. But the Microsoft SBS team has released a tool that will help you with the installation of Service Pack 2. 

Instructions.
  1. Start by downloading Exchange 2007, Service Pack 2.  Take your time, it’s a 900mb download.  In case you’re wondering:  You need the 64-bit version. 
  2. Download the Installer tool that’s provided by Microsoft. 
  3. “Run” Service Pack 2; which will extract the files you’ll need.  Don’t click setup afterwards! 
  4. Instead, install the Installer tool.  Once it’s installed it’ll run automatically.  In case you get distracted like me, you’ll find it under “Small Business Server Tools”.
  5. Select the folder where the Service Pack is extracted. 
  6. The Installer Tool will take care of the installation.  Don’t forget to tell everyone that the Exchange server won’t be reachable during the upgrade!

Hope this helps! 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Windows

Outlook keeps asking for credentials

25 02 2010

Yesterday, a strange phenomenon popped up on several computers across our companies’ domain.  Outlook 2007 started to ask for credentials; on computers that are connected to the Windows domain – and thus; provide credentials automatically.  The same happened to a single Mac using Thunderbird that makes an IMAP connection to our Exchange server, but who pays attention to Macs anyway? (Kidding, obviously).

It turned out that “a windows update” did “some things” to “some components” that made “some parts” of Exchange 2007 misbehave.  Forgive me for being vague; I skimmed over the exact problem. After all, I was looking for the fix.

Anyway, the solution for this problem was simple:  Installing Exchange 2007 Service Pack 2.

But wait!  Which version of Exchange 2007, Service Pack 2 are you supposed to install?  Of course, you’ll get an error when you’re trying to install the wrong one.  But are you willing to download 900mb twice; because you downloaded the wrong one?

Don’t ponder on this like I did.  Microsoft only officially sells and supports a 64-bit version of  Exchange 2007.  The 32-bit version can only be used by their partners, in test environments.  So if you’ve got a retail copy of Exchange 2007, you’ll need the second download. 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Windows

The Joomla Hosting List: February update

24 02 2010

Like I announced a few months ago, I’ve started to keep a list of hosting providers that are or aren’t suitable for Joomla Hosting.  I’ve decided to add three more companies to the list, based on recent experiences with them.  Two companies offer their services in Belgium; the third offers it’s services in the UP.I.

Added to recommended Hosters:

  • Priorweb, Linux hosting plan (Belgium):  Very suitable for Joomla hosting.  Everything works as it should.  If I’m not mistaken, their hosting plan can be “shared” by more than one site.  link Price: Unknown
  • Hostpapa, Shared Linux Hosting (U.K based): A very solid hosting provider.  Offer includes cPanel with tons of options.  Very generous with storage, bandwidth, databases… Offers the option to use an installer for the most popular web packages, including Joomla.  link +/- £65 a year

Added to Hosters to avoid: 

  • Hostyou, Shared Linux: Offers what seems to be an attractive deal, (options to choose between mysql 4 or 5, php4 or php5) but isn’t suitable for Joomla.  Reason:  Critical files need their file permissions set to 777 to be writable.  The same applies to any file / folder you want to make changes to.  Their tech support acknowledges the problem, and couldn’t offer an alternative solution.  An alternative Hosting provider, maybe?

The full list is here: 

  • Recommended in BELGIUM:
  • Linux hosting Intro (Hostbasket N.V, location: Antwerp, Belgium):  While a bit more expensive than other “Shared” solutions, the packages offered by Hostbasket are suited for Joomla perfectly.  I’ve yet to experience a problem.  The sites are fast, you can use all Joomla options (including SEF URL’s) and the support is excellent.  link +/- €120 a year
  • Linux hosting Advanced (Hostbasket N.V, location: Antwerp, Belgium):  See above, with the difference that you get “more” like more bandwidth, a bigger database, etc. etc.  Both packages can be expanded with more bandwidth, storage, databases, etc. etc. link  +/-  €210 a year
  • Priorweb, Linux hosting plan (Belgium):  Very suitable for Joomla hosting.  Everything works as it should.  If I’m not mistaken, their hosting plan can be “shared” by more than one site.  link Price: Unknown
  • Recommended in the U.K
  • Hostpapa, Shared Linux Hosting (U.K based): A very solid hosting provider.  Offer includes cPanel with tons of options.  Very generous with storage, bandwidth, databases… Offers the option to use an installer for the most popular web packages, including Joomla.  link +/- £65 a year

NOT recommended in BELGIUM / ACROSS EUROPE

  • One.com:  Yes, they’re cheap.  But their shared linux solutions are a Joomla disaster.  Forget about SEF, and forget about custom PHP pages just as well.  Their dramatic performance is widely discussed on difference internet forums.
  • Hostyou, Shared Linux: Offers what seems to be an attractive deal, (options to choose between mysql 4 or 5, php4 or php5) but isn’t suitable for Joomla.  Reason:  Critical files need their file permissions set to 777 to be writable.  The same applies to any file / folder you want to make changes to.  Their tech support acknowledges the problem, and couldn’t offer an alternative solution.  An alternative Hosting provider, maybe?

 

Got an entry to submit? You can find my contact date here, or comment on this article. 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Joomla

Update on “How to Add fields to the Joomla registration form

20 02 2010

I’ve updated my post on how to add fields to the Joomla Registration form.  I saw an incoming link to the blog post; coming from the Joomla Forums.  On that forum, someone asked “If anyone knew how to add fields to the user profile in the front end as well.

Since that user used my tutorial, I thought it’d be only fair to search for the solution myself.  I did find the solution, after some searching.

You can read the updated post here


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Joomla

« Previous Entries Next Entries »