Using the jDownloads Community Builder plugin

Introduction

jDownloads has a Plugin designed specifically to work with the Community Builder component.  This article shows how to use the jDownloads CB plugin to integrate the ability to access Downloads from within Community Builder.  Because Community Builder is, as is obvious from its name, aimed at forming communities then the jDownloads plugin will show Downloads based upon who created the Download.

Here it is assumed that you have already successfully installed Community Builder and used the Community Bulder plugin Installer as noted below in the Installation section.  Do not use the regular Joomla! installer as this plugin is CB specific.

The tests have been carried out using Community Builder pkg_communitybuilder_2.6.0+build.2021.07.28.00.57.07.b796becaa.zip

First we will illustrate the use.
Please note that you should address any operational aspect of Community Builder to its authors
as we have limited experience of actually using Community Builder in practice!

The typical result of logging on to Community Builder and then looking at your profile could be like that opposite.

Of course after some use the number of Articles, Blogs and so on would rise. 

cb plugin 08
After installing the jDownloads Community Builder plugin as described below then the view changes to show a Downloads link with an integer value indicating how many Downloads are available to you.cb plugin downloads Only those Downloads created by the CB Logged On user are shown at this stage.  These are the same Downloads that would be shown by the jD menu item 'List My Downloads'.

 cb plugin 06A

If you click on the Downloads tab it will list your Downloads, that is those Downloads which have you logon in the Created By option of the Download.

Clicking on the Download title will take you to the Download Details view for that Download.

Similarly if you click on the Category it will take you to the Category  view. 

This lists all of the Sub Categories and Downloads that you are able to view, not just those created by the logged on user.
 cb plugin 08B


But suppose you have created no Downloads and click on the Downloads tab,
then you would get the 'You have no Downloads' message as shown opposite. cb plugin 05

Installation

Obviously the first step is to get the jDownloads CB plugin.  This is in the Special Extensions category of the jDownloads site, under Downloads.  So download and save in a suitable location on your PC.

Note that this extension, which is called 'Community Builder Plugin for jDownloads', has to be installed using the Community Builder Plugin manager as described below.


So in the backend goto Components - Community Builder - Plugin Management. 

This brings up the relevant page. 

Click on the green 'Install CB Plugin' button. cb plugin 01A


Step 1: Go to the Upload package tab,

Step 2: Browse for the jDownloads CB plugin on your PC

Step 3: Click on the Upload & install button. cb plugin 02A

This will bring up the Success message such as shown opposite.

Click on the button close button at the top left which will return you to the main CB Plugin Management page.

 cb plugin 03
Now scroll down and you should find the CB jDownloads plugin.  Note that it is NOT published!

So  Publish by clicking on the red cross cb plugin 09which will then turn to a green tick cb plugin 09A . cb plugin 04 cb plugin 12png

Upgrading from jDownloads 3.2 to 3.9

This basicly requires deleting the existing 3.2 jDownloads Plugin and installing the 3.9 version.  So go to the CB Plugin Management Page and scroll down to find CBjDownloads.

Step 1: Click on the Unpublish button in the tool bar;
Step2: Click on the Delete button in the tool bar.

 cb plugin 10
Now go to the install section to add in the jDownloads 3.9 version of the plugin.

ColinM September, 2019 Modified January 2021

Tags: index

Print Email