Review of Joomla Extension UHP2-- Give Users Their Own Mini Website

UHP2 is a Joomla Extension that allows the website administrator to give users their own, customizable mini-website. I have recently given this extension a go, with the ultimate goal of customizing this mini-site into a unique portfolio page for my users. This is a review of the UHP2 extension as used by a Joomla CMS Program user and web designer.

UHP2, as described in it's extension download source section:

"UHP2 enables the creation of mini-sites which are displayed and managed within the Joomla environment. Website owners can give their users the capability to create their own site with a variable number of pages but to also retain complete control over publishing if required. No special permissions are required for the users and they do not need access to the Joomla Administration system." Joomla extensions

I downloaded the UHP2 extension with great hopes to use this feature to let my users possess their very own, customizable, powerful, but small little portfolio page. The default Joomla CMS software program comes with a relatively powerful profile feature for the users. It is, essentially, their own little page with an image, personal info, lists of articles they've written and more. Also, if you download the Community Builder Component and extensions, you can have a Gallery tab and many more extensions available.

BTW: if you are attempting to build a community website of any kind using Joomla, Community Builder is a great extension, easy to install, easy to configure and very helpful while creating your dynamic, database driven community website. Visit Joomla CMS blog for more CMS and Joomla Tutorials

I first installed the required files (Component, module, plugin), which was very easy...Simple download, install, upload. Absolutely no backend changes needed to be made. Then I began to configure some of the component features. If anyone has every used Community Builder, it is set up in a similar way. Basically every component is set up this way, with configuring options, content options and FAQS. The modules that come with the program, are basically ways that you can display the lists and information regarding the UHP2 program...For example, most viewed users, newest users, user menu, etc.

The UHP2 Joomla extension comes with the opportunity for the user to create content pages, navigation links, and a gallery page. The problem with this, is that the web page is nothing more than a new section of the site to have content on. It could very easily just be in the "articles" portion of my site, because the customization options available to my users (and me!) are nil, it is simply nothing more than their name, a link, and some content they created. It looks nothing like a personal web page or portfolio page for that matter.

Also, I was gravely dissapointed that there were not options to change the templates for each individual personal mini-web page. All in all, I have to say that the aesthetic options for customizing the UHP2 mini-web pages are just not good enough for me. I am not raising the white flag just yet, however, because I may try and see if there's a way to change the templates another way...or take a look at the files in the backend and see if I can make some alterations there as well.

I will keep you posted on any new developments that come with the UHP2 Joomla extension for allowing users to create their own mini web pages. Also, if there are any new extensions that can achieve this goal quicker, better, and prettier!