I was planning to write a list of must-install-CMP(Component, Modules & Plugins) for Joomla 1.0.x and 1.5.x. However after a disastrous migration last night (I forgot to download a backup of my /images folder!), I decided to just list 1.0.x compatible first.

For new Joomla users, I reckon that its better for you to make yourselves familiar with Joomla 1.0.x first before moving to 1.5.x. The justification is simple, presently there is more components for 1.0.x available than for 1.5.x, and after some nights of testing 1.5.x, I came to conclusion that any new Joomla user who tried Joomla 1.5 straight without prior experience in Joomla 1.0.x / Mambo 4.5 will surely get detered away. Frankly, I think this is because:

1.) they dont know yet how to differentiate 1.0.x & 1.5.x version of the particular component (present classfication system in JED offers not much of help in my point of view),

2.) Most of 1.5.x compatible components still need to be under Legacy mode and not even work properly in that mode.

3.) Most good & useful components are still meant exclusively for 1.0.x where migration to 1.5 in the near future is still unforeseen.

Thus, combining these three facts will  result with countless error when new Joomla users tried to install any of the nearly 3000 CMP available at http://extensions.joomla.org. I write this article simply to list common and useful Joomla components and plugins to help new users in using Joomla. I hope you may find this article helpful and should you have any suggestion, feel free to give a comment.

Components

JoomlaXplorer

Extensions | Download | File Manager
JoomlaXplorer is a FIle and FTP  Manager component which allows you to edit files, delete, copy, rename, archive and unpack files/directories directly on your server. Since there is no FTP layer function available for Joomla 1.0.x, this component simply solves permission problem that clouded 1.0.x sites.  A fork of JoomlaXplorer worth considering is eXtplorer .

• ONE being the number of questions were reduced to only 5 compared to 7 last year while we still need to answer 4 of them,
• TWO being the fact that there are no questions at all regarding my favorite High Tech Architecture, my idol Frank Lloyd Wright (either on his Prairie House, International Style, Fallingwater, Guggenheim), and just li' bit on post-modernism.
• THIRD being when all three chapters that I decided to skip were right there before my eyes!