CCK for Joomla
A brand new catalog system that comes with a content construction kit will arrive soon
After we announced our upcoming ZOO component we received quite a lot of comments. Now there are some rumors out there because we put a couple of hints about the ZOO on our teaser website.
Some people were wondering what the acronym CCK stands for. CCK means Content Construction Kit. The CCK is a module to create custom content types within the Drupal CMS. It is a great and powerful feature we always wanted for our favorite CMS and its functionality has been requested by the Joomla community for a long time, so we created our own super flexible Joomla catalog component that comes with a comprehensive content construction functionality.
One of the ZOO's key features is that it gives you the ability to create your very own custom content types. Any developer who has created Joomla websites usually needs to publish different types of content besides a standard Joomla article. Here is an example: You would like to offer a bunch of downloads on your website. Currently there are a couple of ways to do this. A common one is to browse the Joomla extension directory for a component to handle this specific task. Usually you find download components with a rich set of features. But sometimes you have a specific functionality in mind that those components do not have, like when you want your visitors to be able to rate your downloads, or just add a custom field. Then you will likely run out of luck.
As you can see, it would be more convenient if you could create your own content types and make them the way you want them to be. Well, with our ZOO component you can do this. For each custom content type you create you can select the exact elements the type should consist of, like text, images or a file download. You can also add and remove certain elements later if you need to.
For now the selection of elements that can be used with the content types include text, textarea, image, video and download.
Right now we are still wrapping up a couple of things and adding new elements. We are planning to release the first stable version of the ZOO extension in March. In our next post about the component we will show you its key features in more detail, so keep checking back!
In the meantime take a closer look at the screenshots. You are also welcome to suggest some must-have elements or features in your comments...
Comments (90)
reclaimer
learnbemobile
cicalone
Eric Rodriguez
david.t.baron
sascha
Harry
shanerich
Adso
david.t.baron
nicolas.georgeault
thelostagency
Matthew
Thanks!
Matthew
the lost agency
fcm
Is there a plan to release a beta before March? I'd like to offer myself like a tester.
david.t.baron
sascha
bruno.hoffman
Dave
Glenn Batuyong
martynpmills
I am like a child waiting for christmas morning.
silke
Jacob Whitaker
Sid
One question, why is it called Zoo
sascha
Joking aside, a zoo is a collection of all different types of animals. In our catalog system you can also have any different types of items. And you can construct any type you want by yourself. Just that easy ;-)
Akkis
Douson
stephan.herby
Koobifora
sascha
Koobifora
Big Dumb
bryce
sascha
RF Webmaster
jazzz
Thanks
efromdc
chris
I would like to have the option to display modules in the content, this might just fall under a text field. I would also like to have the option to hide fields in com_frontpage regardless if it is full text or intro text. Also CSS styling is a must.
The ability to use fields from the current page outside of the content (in a module) would also be very cool. A good way to extend the content.
rita.baumann
sascha
efromdc
sascha
bryantay
I could really use a joomla component that could mimic that functionality.
delph
Nice extension!
martin.hockemeyer
Gunnar
Nuff said.
Stick
Here is my wishlist. Following ideas are, in my opinion, some very must:
- Clear source code: JSR use IonCube encryption but IonCube loader is not always available on shared hosting and that's a real pain in the... glass.
- Buy one/Use everywhere licensing: JSR use domain-based close licenses. If I change my mind or close my site, I have to ask them to upgrade my license "by hand". Put that JoomSuite company will ever close. I could trow my "lifetime licenses" in the fire. I'd rather the time-limited subscription formulae: if I want upgrades I have to keep on paying, but at least I could get a broad return from my investment.
- Integrated feedback for any content: as a new content type is created I should be able to activate rating and comments for that content type. This is a must-have in "social-web era".
- Granular ACL and good frontend editing: so admins could create heavy user interaction, surveys, private directories, discussion hubs (with comments), portfolios, and any kind of social/per-user facility they can imagine!
- Extensibility: a basic framework to build extensions should be provided. Morover, fields shuold be extensible plugins, so everybody could easily create structured record contents from simple to complex ones. JSR, for example, provides fields type from trivial textbox to complex fotogallery (yes, one field, one record-related photogallery) or complete phisical address table.
- Hooks/Triggers: in such a framework at least a basic system of triggers should be implemented: say that I want to send an e-mail to supervisors after a record insertion. Or that I want to calculate hidden field values BEFORE record insertion (adding taxes to prices, for example).
I know that I wrote a lot and that this seems sci-fi to have in one single open-licensed component, but I think that something similar would actually set something like 95% of current free and commercial joomla components completely unuseful! :)
Rock on guys!!! I can't wait for Zoo!
sascha
- Expect something like the current YOOtheme memberships
- You can build your own content types. So of course you can add comments and rating to any type.
- ACL should be based on the implemented ACL of Joomla. It will come with Joomla 1.6
- You can create your own elements. They are pluggable...
- Good idea, we will see ;-)
Stick
I really hope you'll get all the fortune you deserve with this component. I'm stuck with JSR now but I really don't like their policies.
And then... they're too arrogant for my taste! ;-)
Thumbs up my friends! You're wonderful!
efromdc
That...is an EXTREMELY good idea...and I can think of a million ways to use this...
guillermo.m.mendez
Perfecto!!!!!!
HubMeister
Delph
mediaworks.information.technology.srl
bamarom.production
good extension!
fan
If the extension would alow this then it would be a editor`s pick @ JED
Deshi Hero
oo!oo
How about an equivalent of drupal "views" next :-)
jazzz
Please, please answer... at least YES or NO.
Thanks a lot!
Regards
jazzz
Dragonstar
Janz
i really appreciate your time!
Have a nice weekend!
Perfect Designing
stijn.menkehorst
I would like to see an option to contact the poster of an Item/Article with a Form Element.
Nicv
I've been searching around for a joomla wedding template for my coming-soon wedding albums and just realize that very little is available and those available isn't as good.
I need one for my coming soon weddings, and i hope Yootheme will be the developer cause their template design have been amazing! Can try something new I guess, instead of focusing on just the commercial template. :)
HubMeister
In other words, say I build a "catalog" containing various data elements that make up a small business listing, similar to an online yellow pages. A business owner could then submit the data for his or her listing. Could the business owner then return later and update or change only the "article" or "record" they created?
noiz
kuanchong.ng
Simon
I understand that the fields will be "pluggable" but for someone like myself who doesn't have a clue, this means nothing - will you be releasing plugins regularly and will you be allowing customers to exchange them?
A couple suggestions - perhaps too late for an initial release. 1. If to add a download you have to upload the file a progress bar, or even a pseudo loading animation, is a good idea (I would love it). 2. The ability to create a group of fields that can be replicated as many times as needed on a per content item basis. For example if you were creating a music catalogue for albums, the album name title etc you would only need once per album but for a track list you would need to replicate the track title, length, sample, etc - obviously each album would have a different number of tracks so it would be great to be able to click on an 'add track' link and be presented with the required fields.
I look forward to the release!
Simon
Qasim Virjee
Yootheme announces Zoo - cck for Joomla:
http://whyjoomla.com/blog/extensions/81-yootheme-announces-zoo-cck-for-joomla
alan.sanford
carlisle.w.knight
Mikkel Steen
Can Zoo be used for making forums, and/or are you planning making such a plugin in the future?
John Tess
mol4
What I would like to see is a simple 'quick contact' form where the visitor can ask for extra information. Maybe with the possibility to add an attachement on the confirmation.
But nevertheless, it's already great.
Troy
aravot
bContent http://www.bohacek.de/b01-joomla-blog/bcontent-beta-start.html
Content Type Management http://developer.joomla.org/gsoc2008/content-type-management.html
Custom Content Layouts http://developer.joomla.org/gsoc2008/custom-content-layouts.html
Rex
I would really like to see a comparison chart or at least an article, whats the difference to other "competitors". I love joomla in spite of the missing cck and missing advanced acl. I am wating for ages now to get my hands on a real integrated, extendable and advanced itemtype expansion... which serves the frontend and the backend.
How will ZOO compare to the upcoming AMBRA.content, the wellknown JS resource, JXtended catalog, Pages&Items, bContent etc. etc. (BTW, all cool stuff, but each of them has its own traps and specialties) Its very hard to check out all the pros and cons...
Maybe you – as the developer – can support the interested customers and convince them – and me – to buy and support your CCK approach ;-)
TIA!
Pjot
sascha
obrignoni
btefgdth
Marcus
Mario
Claire Darbaud
Yet, if you don't mind me asking: what motivates your choice to try and develop Drupal like modules for joomla rather then templates and tools for Drupal? I've been using joomla for a few years, I am considering switching to Drupal... I'd love to have other people's view on things :-)
Are you considering porting your themes and tools to Drupal sometimes?
Thanks :-)
chen
user friendly control, lesser the step the better;
all in on place editing panel;
options to customize and save your preference or content type.
John
sascha
CoralClub