Joomla Tutorials and Blog Posts

How to Add a Debug Module Position on an Artisteer Joomla Template

December 17, 2010 | Written by Nick Savov

Many extensions on the Joomla Extention Directory need to be in the debug module position to function. However some templates do not contain a debug position and therefore you have to insert the new module position in the template. A common example is an Joomla template generate by Artisteer.

This tutorial will walk you through step-by-step how to insert a debug module position in an Artisteer template or any template for that matter.

 

 

The Problem

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If you use a standard Joomla template, you can use an extension such as Page Peel Banner (http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/ads-a-affiliates/corner-banners/3209) and insert it in the debug position to get it in the top right of your page.

 

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If you scroll your mouse over the ad, everything works as expected.

 

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However, when you switch to the artisteer template, nothing appears. This is because there is no debug module position in Artisteer templates.

However, we can insert a debug module position into the template and that is what we will do in the next few steps.

 

Modify your Template's index.php

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Access your host's file manager or FTP and go to /templates/yourtemplate/index.php.

Then either download it to your computer and then edit it, or if your host's file manager allows, edit it within the File Manager Editor. In my case, I am using Cpanel, so I will just edit it within Cpanel's editor.

 

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Scroll all the way to the bottom and right above the tag insert:

 

 

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Save the file. Upload to the server if you are using FTP.

 

Modify your Template's templateDetails.xml

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Go to /templates/yourtemplate/templateDetails.xml.

Then either download it to your computer and then edit it, or if your host's file manager allows, edit it within the File Manager Editor. Once again, I will just edit it within Cpanel's editor.

 

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Scroll all the way to the bottom and right above the tag insert:

debug

 

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Save the file. Upload to the server if you are using FTP.

 

Preview the Site

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It appears to be working! Let's double check just in case by scrolling our mouse over the ad.

 

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Beautiful!

That is it! We are finished! You can use these same steps for non-Artisteer templates as well!


 

 


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Comments  

 
#1 Mihael 2010-12-27 20:03
What a simple eloquent solution. I will explorer your site a little more. Can't wait to test it out.
 
 
#2 iowawebco 2010-12-29 00:46
Hi Mihael,

Sounds good! We offer support via our forum to our Trainees and very quick at responding :-)

Kind regards,
Nick
 
 
#3 keiserlupe 2011-04-16 16:53
This was interesting. Never heard this before:

"Many extensions on the Joomla Extention Directory need to be in the debug module position to function. However some templates do not contain a debug position and therefore you have to insert the new module "

Where can I read more about the debug module position?
Lupe
 
 
#4 iowawebco 2011-04-18 22:20
Hi Lupe,

There's not really anything to read about it. It's just a module position that's not within your main css containers and so it allows you to insert code such as Google analytics, etc, that you normally wouldn't want to insert in your main template area because it would add an extra "space".

In this case, the ad's module needs to be in the top right of the screen so it needs a module position outside of all the containers and the debug position would work very well for that.

Hope that makes sense. Open up a discussion in the forum if you want to chat more about it :)

Kind regards,
Nick
 
 
#5 Nabil 2011-08-07 20:36
I am having a problem with my pagepeel module, it works fine but at a certain point of time it stops showing in my debug position, and it starts showing in my horizontal menu. i have started from my back up that is working fine many times, and added other modules and updated them, and every time the pagepeel looses it's position, this is really driving me crazy as i started over maaaany times, i have tried your fix, but i found it already existing in my pages, the xml page was fine, and the index had:
-----------------------------------------



-----------------------------------------
which is supposedly also fine but this didn't fix my issue, so would you pleaaaaaase help, i have delayed my go live months just for that, so please help me :)
 
 
#6 iowawebco 2011-08-08 22:20
Hi Nabil,

You'd have to find the steps needed to replicate the issue and that will help narrow down what the cause is.

Try doing something that usually causes it and do it one step at a time and each time check pagepeel. As soon as it occurs, whatever you did right before that is likely causing the issue.

My guess is that your module position might depend on the condition of another position.

Kind regards,
Nick
 
 
#7 barkinbob 2011-08-24 13:15
I added the debug module, but the module (your osdonate), goes below the footer, rather in its position on the right column (www.jarted.org). Any idea why it's flying south?
 
 
#8 iowawebco 2011-08-25 12:38
Hi and welcome, Barkinbob!

Looks like you got it to work. It's now in the right column on your site. That's where you wanted it, correct?

Kind regards,
Nick
 

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