T-HUB offers 2-way QuickBooks integration for Joomla!

Although, I have not tried this solution, it seems very promising.  If T-HUB delivers on its promise, you can bet your money that I will soon develop a complete Joomla and T-Hub powered template that will be as easy to launch as unzipping a folder.  T-Hub promises to be an easy solution that integrates virtually all ecommerce stores, including Joomla, with QuickBooks.  This is a much needed solution for those of us who build sites for traditional brick and mortar business that are trying to expand their reach via a website.  It gets better, you can run multiple website from this Joomla and QuickBooks duo.

Other key features include 2-way inventory sync (T-Hub Advanced), online orders to QuickBooks and  print shipping labels/packing list.

More Features:

Free VirtueMart Theme for Joomla!

I agree with the folks over at Template Monster that it is very convenient and useful to try our Virtuemart Templates before purchasing them.  Give VirtueMart a go with this free free sample.  It gives you an opportunity to improve skills without having to spend any money on a template that does not satisfy your requirements.  So take a look at this free premium Joomla ViruteMart theme.  I know you will be pleased.

Note: Free Virtuemart Templates by TemplateMoster.com are available for educational purposes ONLY. In other words you can't use them for your personal or commercial projects.

Get it here: FREE VIRTUEMART THEME

JoomlaTags Plugin CssJsCompress [for Joomla! 1.5.x]

This is a must have plugin for your Joomla website.  This plugin installs in seconds and can make a world of a difference for the speed of your website.  In my case, my website always seems to be slow, not to mentions the pages with Adobe Flex apps.

CssJsCompress will automatically optimize your CSS, HTML and JavaScript, which will reduce both the size and number of requests made to your website. GZip generated CSS and JavaScript files to about 1/4 of the original size. These optimizations may reduce server load, bandwidth requirements, and page loading times.  What sold me was the option to optimize JavaScript.  Initially this plugin interfered with my Shadowbox plugin, but after switching off the JavaScript option, it made all the difference.

Get it here HTML CSS JS Compression for Joomla

Juicy Gallery - Juice Up Template - This month we bring you "Juicy Gallery".  This robust and community driven template was originally developed by TemplatePlazza.  This is an update to there previously released gallery component, which allows users to submit, rank and comment on one another's works.  Like previous TP templates, there was not much that really needed to be done to this template, but we thought of things to do anyways.

This month we will taking it a bit further and modifying some of the functionality and layout by editing the PHP code and CSS layout.

For starters we modified the color scheme.

Take a look at our new color scheme and layout.

Come back soon for the mod details and step-by-step instructions...

I'm still Flexing - Check out the preview of a soon to launch website that will let you upload your picture and try on different colored contact lenses before you buy them.  You can also try out contacts will cool designs, like those sold for Halloween.

Why did we choose to create this?  The main reason was to see if we could.  The second reason is because this application can be easily modified to allow you to try on other things, such as sunglasses, glasses, earrings and more...

In case you are wondering where the "I'm still Flexing" came from - I thought it sounded cool since the main software used to create this app was Adobe's Flex.  Flex is the same editor used to create Pandora's desktop player, eBay's desktop app and Harley Davidson's motorcycle customizer.

I hope you now get a better idea of where we are headed with Flex, renamed Flash Builder (Soon the intro will be more like "I'm still Flashing". No - I don't think so).

Even more exciting than creating Flex/Flash apps is combining them with the most popular CMS - JOOMLA!

Follow us on Twitter to get updates on this and other projects.  We hope to create some Flex powered modules and components for Joomla in the near future.

J.F. Herrera

Photographic Portfolio - Juice up template - This month we bring you "Need A Photo".  This sharp and elegant template was originally developed by TemplatePlazza.  There wasn't much that needed to be done to this templates in regards to the overall design, except for color.

Without a doubt, black is a favorite among photographers because it makes their work stand out and minimizes color interference.  Nevertheless, we felt that many of you out there would appreciate a lighter color option.

So here it is....

I've received a significant number of emails requesting instruction on installing the Quickstart template file available with most professional templates, including TemplatePlazza, so I decided to start from the very beginning with this tutorial.

We continue to have fun with RIA (rich internet applilcation).  For an idea of what you can do with Joomla! and Flex, take a look at a recent app we built for one of our sites, TwitterScribbles.com.

TwitterScribbles started as a fun project, to share some of our artwork with fellow Twitter members and allow visitors to submit their Twitter background, as part of a well rounded marketing plan.  In one of our previous posts, we talked about the depth of modification we made to the original Joomla! template by TemplatePlazza.

The main component included with the template is TP's ShowcasePlazza.  The component allows you to set up a showcase, just like TwitterScribbles, to showoff you own artwork or that of your visitors.

All this was great, but we felt that the submit process was a bit too technical for most visitors.   First, you either have to have the original background or know how to capture a screen clip of your Twitter page.

This is where our neat app comes in.  In just 3 steps we are able to capture your twitter page and submit it to our gallery.  The next few steps, you title and describe your background. The final step of the submission process allows you to select a category, add some keywords, and specify your designs primary color.

You can even see a preview of the screen clip before you submit your page.

Submitting your work to TwitterScribbles has a few benefits.  First, and most obvious is the additional exposure you will give to your Twitter page.  Second, and most importantly, is the exposure you will be giving to your website.  TwitterScribbles's rank is quickly rising, so don't hesitate to submit your background.

Take a look:

• Quick Submit Quick Submit
• Options Options
• Description Description
• Preview Preview
•  

Hotel Reservations Template - Juice up template - This month we bring you "Blue Pier".  This rich versatile template was developed by TemplatePlazza.  We've taken on juicing it up a bit by making a new color scheme.  Our intentions were to soften it up and add a little more vibrancy to the existing layout.

To make it even better.... This new color scheme is available free of charge. You must already have installed a copy of HotelPlazza by TemplatePlazza.  We've provided the optimized graphics files and step by step instructions to help you implement this new color scheme.

However, if you would prefer to have us make the color change or create a unique scheme for your special project, just let us know.  We will be happy to assist you.

If you are not a TemplatePlazza member, you can get this complete template (installed only) by purchasing our Platinum Template service, which includes the following:

• Premium Template
• Joomla! Core Installation
• Template Installation
• Included Components & Module Installation
• BONUS 6 months of hosting on our premium servers by HostNine
• Forum Support
• ORDER NOW!

Click on the thumbnails or visit the LIVE SITE for more info.

Join our Template Update Mailing List to receive a notice our new Juiced Up Templates, websites and more...

• Home Home
• Articles Articles
• Blog Blog
• Reservations Reservations
•  

Do-It-Yourself Instructions

We will be working with skeleton3.  The files and mods will not affect any of the other skeletons, so if you switched to skeleton 1 or 2 the line numbers I refer to will be a little different.  Right-click the images to download them and use the for your site - except for the background.  To download the complete graphics package ...

HowToGraphicDesign - This is a unique "one-of-a-kind" website.

This template includes the following matchng themes:

• hwdVideoShare
• K2 Content Component
• Kunena forum
• more...

Click on the thumnails or visit the live site for more info.

If you are interested in purchasing this website please submit an offer to info[at]templatejuice.com and will happily review it and get back to you.

If you are impressed by our work, but don't see a design that fits your exact needs, we happily provide you with a custom quote. Email us at info[at]tempaltejuice.com

• Image folder specified does not exist!
•  

This month we feature a template by our colleagues over at JoomlaShack.  This simple and lightweight template includes 9 modules and 5 color options. It is available for Joomla 1.0 and 1.5 Native!.   They have made it super easy to install this template with the included QuickLauncher.

Not sure how to install it? Take a look at our tutorials or let us do it for you.  View our services section for more detail regarding installation, hosting and customization.

View live demo site here!