We've been re-considering the way that the Joomlabamboo quickstart packages are handled for some time and thanks to some recent feedback on our forum we've take a little bit of time to put together a new system to replace the quickstart packages, with what we are calling JB SnapShots.

The quickstart packages are essentially duplications of the live demo sites that we put together each month for our monthly template releases. They are helpful, in that the quickstart has all of the modules and content setup out of the box ready to use but there is a lot of extra (unneeded) information in the quickstart package that users inevitably end up deleting.

The quickstarts also absorb a lot of development time when it comes to maintaining them not only with our extension updates and new releases but also when you consider the Joomla release cycle. We have 30 + quickstarts and that number increases every month.

Enter the JB Snapshot ...

The aim of the snapshot (as it was with the quickstarts) is to provide the fastest means possible for the end user to get started using their site. The snapshot will provide a base framework for site developers to work from but also give them the option of switching between templates during development without losing content, or development time while you setup and configure the new theme.

The Snapshot consists of the following elements:

1. A selection between two core Joomla packages. The base package is the latest version of Joomla plus all of the Joomlabamboo extensions, while the Plus package is the latest version of Joomla with our up to date extensions as well as a hadful of useful and functional 3rd party extensions that are common requirements for most sites.

They include:

• Joomlapack: Site backup
• JCE: The best content editor for Joomla
• XMap: Site Map Google Analytics Plugin: Analytics
• UpdateMan: Effortlessly updating Joomla
• Extended Menu: Our menu of choice
• Ninja Explorer: File Manager for your site.

1. Snapshots that are installable via the Joomla installer that load the information required for each specific template. Providing the raw layout info that gets populated in to the Joomla database.

2. A small range of Sample Data options to help create the starting point for your site. Installing the snapshots ...

Step1: Install the Core package as per any joomla install or quickstart and apply the sample data. The Zen Grid Snapshot is loaded by default

Step 2: Install the WoodFlower template.

Step 3: Install the woodflower snapshot. The site should now have the Wood Flower template applied with its specific module settings.

Step 4: Install the Zen Grid Snapshot and it will display the Zen Grid template setup with the same sample content. JB SnapShot is currently available for members to download and test out.

The packages are considered to be in a beta state but they are very healthy already. There are currently only snapshots available for Zen Grid and the WoodFlower template but more will be added soon.