Installation procedure

GeoContent distribution package contains several compressed files: the main component (file name starts with com_geocontent) and two optional but recommenden plugins (plg_geocontent_editors-xtd and plg_geocontent_content).

Starting from version 3.2, GeoContent distribution contains also a geocoding (address to latitude/longitude) module: mod_geocontent_geocoding.

All these compressed Joomla! extension packages must be installed directly from the Joomla! control panel.

List of files in a typical GeoContent compressed distribution package.

Prerequisites

GeoContent maps are based on Google Maps API. In order to use Google Map services you will need an API key from Google.

The API key is different for every domain on the internet and you can obtain one for your website from http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html

Warning

simplexml PHP extension is required by GeoContent, this extension is a standard extension and is normally installed by default. In a few rare cases, we’ve found this extension was missing, if in doubt, ask to your system administrator or ISP to install this extension.

Installation

All operations described in this section must be performed through Joomla! control panel, logged in as administrator.

Note

xxx in the list below represents the version number.

1. unzip the compressed package (geocontent_xxx_unzip_me_first.zip) on a temporary folder on your local computer

2. install the component (com_geocontent_xxx.zip) using the standard Joomla! installation system: Extensions‣Install/Uninstall‣Upload Package File‣Upload File & Install

3. install Content plugin (plg_geocontent_content_xxx.zip) using the standard Joomla! installation system: Extensions‣Install/Uninstall‣Upload Package File‣Upload File & Install

4. install Editor plugin (plg_geocontent_exitors-xtd_xxx.zip) using the standard Joomla! installation system: Extensions‣Install/Uninstall‣Upload Package File‣Upload File & Install

5. install geocoding_module (mod_geocontent_geocoding_xxx.zip) using the standard Joomla! installation system: Extensions‣Install/Uninstall‣Upload Package File‣Upload File & Install

6. publish both plugins (plg_geocontent_content_xxx.zip and plg_geocontent_exitors-xtd_xxx.zip) through Extensions‣Plugin Manager (see The Joomla! plugin manager view with a filter activated on GeoContent plugins.)

7. open Components‣GeoContent, click on ‘’Parameters’’ and fill in at least

   • Google API key
   • Map lat center: latitude of the map center, the values are in DD units (decimal degreees)
   • Map lon center: longitude of the map center, the values are in DD units (decimal degreees)

8. create and configure at least one GeoContent Layer (see: GeoContent Layers management)

9. add at least one GeoContent Item to the layer (see: GeoContent Items management)

10. add a Joomla! menu item of type GeoContent as described in Overview maps

Tip

You can easily obtain the latitude and longitude, using Google Maps Labs utilities, there are at least two of those that show lat/lon coordinates at the mouse position.