As we are developing a community based portal and having initially put a sample together for testing we are considering changing our present (initial) chosen and used for testing community social networking application. We were recently looking into another app then considered taking a look at the 'original' application (Jomsocial) that that same app claims to have spun off from and we see that JomSocial could probably suit our need.
However, as the site we are putting together is not just a social networking portal can I ask the below questions as we are basically looking for the best fit for what it is we are putting together for our community.
1) What payment (subscription) integration application does JomSocial have integrated or will we need to include a third party application for subscription payments? If it requires a "Third" party application then what ones does JomSocial recommend that integrates seamlessly with JomSocial?
2) The "Socialize Template" is impressive but may I ask is it "bootstrap" and can it work seamlessly with other bootstrap templates in a Joomla mixed environment?
3) Does JomSocial come with a QUICKSTART package. That is the Socialize Template and Joomla already pre-configured on the template?
4) I noticed the user profile is customizable to an extent but is there facilities to create additional customized fields such as "hobbies" and "Job/profession Types" etc. and have them included in the original user profile tab?
5) Back to the "Template" how flexible is it, for instance can we replace the TOP BAR menu with any other chosen Joomla extension Menu Module?
6) Also the "Login Module" can that be replaced with other publicly available extensions?
7) I noticed in the latest version "Two Factor Authentication " on is now a practicality (which is a very welcoming addition) does that mean using this can now be used trouble free on the front-end by all users?
8) Finally, how does JomSocial hold up in a Single Sign on scenario? For instance if one was to use the single sign on component from JMS? Would that work with JomSocial or would it interfere with JomSocial's functionalities?
9) Is there a "forum" inbuilt into JomSocial or would we need a third party forum?
I should appreciate if some one would be kind enough to feedback on the above mentioned questions.
1. JomSocial doesn't have built-in any subscription/payment feature as JS is mostly used for free/open communities. But this feature could be easily implemented by installing a 3rd party extension e.g PayPlans. I saw that many users have it on their paid sites:
www.jomsocial.com/addons/memberships/payplans
2. Socialize template is built using Bootstrap 3 and T3 framework. In Joomla! you may use only one template at once (that is - on one page) so there will be no problem using it along with other templates (if you assign different templates to different pages) or extensions.
3. No, there is no quickstart package but after installing JomSocial and Socialize (with plugin and module) everything is set to default and you may start right away. Of course you'll need to define something like FB connection keys, Captcha keys, path to FFMPEG library, set cron job as this are server/user dependent settings.
4. Yes, you may add as many profile fields as you need. You may also use multi-profiles: set of profiles e.g musician, student, astronaut with different set of fields.
5. Yes, you may disable Megamenu and set to display module there... also you may always customize template as you want i - tit's Open Source :)
6. Yes, this is JomSocial Toolbar for Socialize template and it offers a bit more than just login e.g search bar, icons that open modal windows with inbox or friends request. but yes, it may be replaced by any other module.
7. Yes, this feature is available.
8. I'm sorry but I just don't know. This is rather question to "Multisites Single Sign In for domains " developers if their plugin works with JomSocial. As far I rememeber there was no report on our Technical Support Forum about any related issue.
9. There is a forum-kind feature called "Discussions" and it's available in Groups. But it's more like "comment under comment" than REAL forum (with moderators, signatures and so on). But you may use free forum component Kunena and integrate it with JomSocial.
I hope my answers helped you. Do not hesitate to contact us if you'll have more question or need more extensive answers.
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