Extension Caveats (What to consider)

Extensions can be like a big Christmas Gift, or the odd one could cause you trouble if you're not reasonably careful.

• When you need a specific thing done that doesn't already exist in the default Joomla! install, first go to http://extensions.joomla.org
• Search for the function you want, watching for
  • GPL (Free) or Commercial
  • Popularity
  • Reviews (If you see a consensus of opinion of the worthiness of the particular extension in the reviews, then it may be wise to take notice of what is being said. If it's just one comment, don't necessarily be put off, continue to follow the points under)
  • Once you can see a particular extension appearing to be the best choice or the function you require, then go to the developer's website, read the latest news for the extension, and any forum comments.
  • Then search google : extension name(space)joomla(space)problem (vary the last word a bit)
  • Make sure it has been designed to run with your base Joomla! installation (e.g., V 1.0.12)
    
• Download the extension and look inside the zip(s) for any special installation instructions. Look for a "ReadMe" or similar file.
• At this point if you value your site, you should do a backup, remembering to also backup the database.
• Or, you could install a web server and a copy of your Joomla! site on your home computer and install the new extension there to test it. N.B. : Because the configuration/environment is different, the extension still may behave differently on your remote Joomla! site !
  This Joomla! site section explains how to set up a local web server : http://dev.joomla.org/content/view/2013/93/ At the time of writing the JSAS Web Server + Joomla! Installation package installs Joomla! v 1.0.10 which has been superceeded with two versions, the latest (1.0.12) contains many bug fixes. Your local (your computer versus hosted) Joomla! install should be the latest in the 1.0.X series.
  
• Once the extension is installed, work with it and make sure it's what you want. If it proves to be unsuitable, uninstall it, or eventually you will end up with a lot of unused extensions on your site.
• CAREFUL - IT IS POSSIBLE FOR AN EXTENSION TO :
  • Break your site, and as well, not return it to its former state just by uninstalling it (Backup required)
  • If you get confused (it happens to everyone) you could end up deleting all your data for the extension. (Example, people have managed to RE-INSTALL VirtueMart instead of doing an upgrade and delete all their VM data - thousands of product records etc.)
    
  • Not be compatible for your Joomla! version.
  • Not CO-EXIST with other particular extensions
    

N.B. : Upgrading Joomla! may mean some of your extensions will no longer work. BEFORE upgrading Joomla! you will need to make a list of all the third-party extensions, their version numbers and go and check that each one will still work with the new base Joomla! release.

If all this sounds scary, don't worry, just be aware and careful ! The main thing is that you can't install any extension at will. It's rare, but if you don't do the research, sooner or later something will go wrong.