Recommended install on localhost Windows Vista

I'm trying to build a proof on concept using a Joomla (1.5.21) portal with Moodle (1.9) integration via Joomdle (0.5).

I had both Joomla and Moodle setup and running via WebMatrix, which uses IIS 7.5 Express. I completely configured Joodle according to requirements but wasn't able to get any integration between Joomla and Moodle (I think because WebMatrix creates 2 virtual localhosts - just a guess).

Then I installed/configured PHP, MySQL, etc. in regular IIS (7.0), created a Joomla website and added the Joomla application and got that running. Then I created a separate Moodle website and added the Moodle application but then they wouldn't talk. Then I moved Moodle into a sub directory of Joomla and added both Joomla and Moodle to a single website. This produces at least some improvement as the Joomdle Courses widget as showing the 2 Moodle courses I had setup (see attachment).

However, when I click on one of those courses, I get a http 500 error (see attachment):
http://localhost:80/CCLD/index.php?option=com_joomdle&view=detail&cat_id=2:ccld&course_id=4:rcfe-residential-care-facility-for-elderly&Itemid=1
In Moodle I verified if the cat_id and course_id are correct and they are...so I'm not sure what to do next.

It basically made me wonder:
1) What the recommended install was for a localhost situation?
2) How can I maintain the Moodle courses as an admin because Moodle as a sub of Joomla causes login and template issues?
3) How I can overcome this issue with clicking in Joomla on the course?

I have no experience with PHP as you can probably tell because I haven't been able to troubleshoot from log or error files so far.

Any insights greatly appreciated.

Thanks,



Mark

Hi Mark, welcome to the community.

I would not say that we have a recommended local configuration exactly as everybody has their own style and knowledge. I know Antonio uses a linux variant while I use Windows (now 7) on my local PC.

For my Joomla / Moodle / Joomdle (in fact all my local web work) I use Uniserver www.uniformserver.com/

which works well and comes pre-configured with PHP, MYSQL, etc. Some others use a LAMP configuration. While IIS seems to work well, it also seems to give ppl the most headache - even when dealing with Joomla on it's own. There are also a number of pre-loaded Joomla based packages like joomlapc joomla2go etc. that have it all up and running.

For Uniserver, it is just a matter of extracting the files to your local my documents and running the server (start.exe) In the uniserver folder there will be two sub-folders that you should copy uniserver/www and uniserver/usr. May copies of these say www.original and usr.original and any time you want a new clean webserver just copies these across.

My local uniserver has the following:
usr.original & www.original
usr.joomla16 & www.joomla16
usr.joomla15 & www.joomla15
usr.joomdle & www.joomdle
usr.abcdomain & www.abcdomain

So anytime I need to try something different I just rename or copy one of the sets of folders to usr and www and I have a working webserver without the need to re-install each time.

Your other questions

2) For admin of Moodle, always keep at least 1 ID in moodle that is not a Joomla user (say moodleadmin) and ensure it has admin rights. Joomdle will not sync admin accounts. Also, do not go through Joomla to login as the Moodle admin. Instead go direct to Moodle, say www.domain/moodle . It is also a good idea to use more than one browser eg. Chrome for students, parents, etc. ie Joomla users which auto connect to Moodle and Firefox for admin of moodle. This way you can be logged into Moodle with multiple IDs at once.

3) I do not understand the issue here. Are you saying you do not want users to go to Joomla and then to Moodle?

3) How I can overcome this issue with clicking in Joomla on the course?

I feel this is short-tag issue in course detail view.

Chris, pwrssr, thanks for your replies. I was traveling last week and didn't have an opportunity to follow up.

pwrssr, what do you mean that you think it's a short tag issue? Or perhaps I should ask, is there anything I can change so that this doesn't happen?

Chris, I will look into using uniserver. Although it sounds like it's adding complexity, maybe it will simplify and that would be helpful. Thanks for the multi-browser tip to logon as different users. I need to try again, but I believe I have an issue logging on to Moodle when it's in a sub directory of Joomla. Somehow Moodle starts using php scripts from the Joomla directories. I'm new to php so I'm struggling there.

Mark