Joomla 1.5 First Then 1.6
I know, I know, all my concepts were titled "Joomla 1.6 Admin Template Concept" :) As I was making the move from design to code, I realized that Joomla 1.5 is going to be around for quite a while, and I'd be neglecting all those users if a 1.5 version didn't come out first. Truth is, designing for Joomla 1.6 gave me the freedom to dream a bit more and push the design out the realm of Joomla 1.5 features. All the features I've mocked up won't make in into the 1.5 version, but we'll try our best to get as many as possible. As soon as the 1.5 version is near stable we'll be jumping on the 1.6 version. This should actually be good timing with the Joomla 1.6 stable release if my predictions are right.
AdminPraise 3 Is Already Installable
Since I chose to build AP3 on the AdminPraise Framework for Joomla 1.5 (which was build for Stainless by Brian Edgerton), AP3's initial development has been quite rapid. In fact, AP3 is already as or more functional than Stainless and I've got it installed on our production sites. I'm even using it to write this article!
4 Themes In The Bag
I've already completed the Beige & Gray themes from my concepts, along with Dark & Light themes:
Auto-Resizing Elements Based On Browser Width
The main theme behind AP3 is flexibility/compatibility. AP3 will dynamically adjust to your browser's width, resizing, hiding, and moving certain elements. Through the magic of CSS Media Queries (my new favorite thing in the world), AP3 will detect and adjust as needed.
Check out how the Dashboard adjusts itself (look at the diff in logo size, menu tab size, component sidebar & module widths):
Skinny
Normal
Supa-Wide
Focused Editing
While editing articles, items, or settings, the content area is highlighted and the background elements are faded out to allow you to focus focus focus!
Modal Windows & Shortcuts When Possible
It's a huge pain to click through several pages, then have to load another entire page to edit settings, so (in moderation) I've sprinkled in shortcut links that pop open modal windows for things like Global Configuration, System Info, User Profile, AP3 Parameters, and Dashboard Module Parameters.
Component Compatibility
We've already got AdminPraise 3 compatible with many popular components such as K2, Tienda, NinjaXplorer, and yes even Virtuemart :P
Next Up: The Magic
While AP3 is already installable and very functional, I've proposed a ton of fancy features and functionality in my concepts. We'll be tacking on features and functionality in phases. First up we'll be addressing the Dashboard's Drag n Drop modules and other ajaxy Dashboard features.
The Admin Menu is currently customizable through parameters just like Stainless or AdminPraise Lite. We'll be adding a full admin menu system via an AdminPraise component. This component will also allow for many other features and configurations for AP3, the least of which will be a single package install process.
We'll also be working on more intergrations w/ components like K2, Tienda, FLEXIcontent, and many more.
The Big Picture: Collaboration, Standards & More
During the development of AdminPraise 3, we'll be reaching out to other Joomla extension developers with several goals:
- Maximized compatibility for between AP3 and popular Joomla extensions
- Improved user experience for the administration of Joomla components
- Introduce standards for Joomla component admin UI
- Design education for poorly designed component admin UI
- Ratings and recommendations for quality Joomla extensions
In envision this to become a Joomla Admin Movement to evolve the Joomla extension development landscape into a more collaborative & professional presentation of the incredible power & talent that already exists.
Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/925147
