Now that you have a working installation of Joomla on your server, it's time to accessorize!   Here are some useful plugins and extensions, some of which are my favorites, and a must-have for any webmaster.

1.  Akeeba Backup

The very FIRST thing you need to install on your webserver is a backup and restore tool. Akeeba Backup is very easy to use and highly configurable with the free version.  The paid version gives you the ability to do scheduled backups. Either way, you get peace of mind no matter the size of your website or database.

2.  SP PageBuilder

Of the many Drag and Drop site-building tools on the market, SP PageBuilder is fast, easy to learn.  It comes with many features that allow for easy manipulation of images, video, and text anywhere on the pages you create. There is also a large selection of templates and styles to choose from.

3. Helix Framework

The Helix Framework system allows you to create your website with little or no-code development on your part. This allows you to create your pages quickly with minimal effort.  You don't need to know HTML, CSS, or any other programming language.   This compliments the SP Page Builder component as well.

4.  Acymailing

Why use MailChimp and trust someone else with your data? Acymailing will take care of all your email automation and marketing campaigns right out of the box. It is highly configurable and trusted by Millions.  There's even a version for WordPress!

5.  K2 Content Manager

One of the reasons people use WordPress is because it was designed primarily for blogging.  With Joomla, this was not the priority, therefore their default article management system is not that great.  That's where K2 comes in. It is a powerful content management tool for your articles, categories, user comments, and much more. If you're good at some minor programming, you can create some very interesting database applications with its engine.  There are also 3rd party tools available for import/export of your K2 database.

6.  JCE

JCE is a WYSIWYG editor for your Joomla articles, either natively or through the aforementioned K2 interface.   What does it look like, well ... why don't I show you! Everything you see inside the green box in the image below is part of the JCE plugin.  Placing the mouse arrow over the familiar Office-style icon set explains what they do.

7. JL Sitemap

JL Sitemap makes your website pages available and searchable for sites like Google and Bing. There are many important steps to take before you need to worry about the sitemap for your website (that's a whole other article or two in itself).  However, once all your planning is done, JL Sitemap makes it a cinch to have your pages and content indexed and ready to go!

8.  Kunena Forums

Having your own user forums or discussion groups hosted on your Joomla server is a much safer alternative than having all your important documents and conversations hosted elsewhere under other people's prying eyes.  You can see an example of the Kunena forums in action right here on our Resources link.

9.  TAGZ Open Graph

TAGZ Open Graph fixes all the preview thumbnails and text that you usually see on pages shared on social media.  They give you an example of what their extension does right here:

I think that speaks for itself.  As usual, very easy to use and you get good results fast!

10. Google Analytics

Last but certainly not least on this list is a plugin for Google Analytics.  You install once, set the parameters then forget about it!  All the tracking you enjoy can then be viewed and organized quite nicely. 

I hope that you'll find these popular extensions that I use helpful to you.   See you next time!

Did you ever take piano lessons and wondered how long it would be before you could play with a band or an orchestra?

Well, thanks to MIDI files (and the people who take the time to program and upload them) and a good DAW, you too can play along with an orchestra! Typically, conservatory students only get to this level once they've taken university studies in music.  That's a good 15-20 years after a child starts out in elementary school. Why wait years and years when you can start practicing now!

Depending on the style of music you want to learn or play, you'll certainly find a MIDI file that fits your style.

My personal choice these days is Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto.  I've heard it so many times and wished for the day I could play with a real orchestra.  I probably would have kept up at practicing had I known options like we have today are available.  Better late than never as the saying goes!

I was able to find the MIDI file with a simple Google search.  From there, the rest was for me to practice, practice, practice....and yes, practice some more!

The nice thing about using a DAW is that I can slow down the tempo, which allows me to work up my speed and muscle memory over time.  When I started this piece I had the tempo set to 70BPM, which is painfully slow.  I can now play comfortably at 95BPM, but need to bring the speed up to at least 110BPM.

Here's a 3-minute demo of the piece.  I hope you enjoy it, and that it inspires you to do the same!

Sources:

1. http://www.kunstderfuge.com/beethoven/variae.htm
2. https://www.rcmusic.com/learning/examinations/academic-resources-and-policies/syllabi-look-for-any-syllabus-below
3. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-features/beethoven-emperor-concerto/

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Although this is true, we sometimes forget that it's not the quantity or how often we do something, but the quality of the effort we put in each time that makes any practice perfect.

With this in mind, here are a few do's and don'ts to help keep your practice routine fun and rewarding.

Do's

1. Just like doing any physical exercise, you need at least a good 20 minutes of practice time to see any lasting results.  30 minutes is ideal. 45 minutes to an hour if you feel you want to push a little more.
   
   
2. Take a moment to prepare your practice space.  Your piano is like your desk at school or study room at home. Try organizing your books and materials to avoid clutter around the piano.
   
   
3. Make sure you sit with the correct posture at the piano, with your back straight and arms at a 90-degree angle with the keyboard.
   
   
4. Take a few moments to relax by taking a few deep breaths and releasing the air slowly.  Good practice starts with a calm mind.  This also helps you to retain what you will learn more effectively.
   
   
5. When going over a difficult part, take your time and slow down as much as you need.  It's not necessary to get everything right on the first try.  Going slowly and using a metronome to gradually increase your playing speed will go a long way.
   
   
6. Put up with distractions.  Sometimes you can't avoid having people or distractions while you practice.  With patience and a little effort, you can learn to "block out" the noise around you and focus on your lessons.

Dont's

1. Don't rush through your practice.  Take your time so that you can reward yourself with beautiful music and a job well done!
   
   
2. Avoid distractions.  If there are people around, let them know ahead of time that you intend to do a practice shortly and would like to have as few distractions as possible.
   
   
3. Don't give up.  The only mistake you can make is to not try again. 
   
   
4. Don't over practice.  As with all things balance is key.
   
   
5. Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Your teacher is there to help you understand what you need to know.
   
   
6. Don't stop playing!  Once you've gotten the hang of playing piano, make it a permanent part of your life.

To summarize, music practice should never be about just another activity or hobby to pass the time.  Our body is like a very complex machine. Music helps to keep all the parts works together and in harmony, because this is how life should be experienced, one measure, one day at a time.