Specify an alternate home page for logged-in users

To specify an alternate home page for logged-in users go to Joomla->Extensions->Plugins manager and click on System - Alternative Home. By enabling this module and specifying the home page for logged on users, you can arrange to have a simple home page for visitors and then use your actual front page for logged-on users.

This is more complicated than it sounds. Here's what you have to do:

• Create a menu called "Hidden" but do not assign it a module title when you create it, so it won't display;
• Create a menu item on the "Hidden" menu called "Classmate Home" with a menu item type of Front Page;
• Create an article called "Open home", which is the home page for un-registered users;
• Change the type of the "Home" menu item under the "Main" menu to "Article" layout and point it to the "Open home" article;
• Go to the plugin manager and click on System - Alternative Home. Set the alternative home menu item to "Classmate Home" and activate the plugin.
• Go to Joomla->Menus->Hidden and click on "Classmates Home". Now expand the System Parameters on the right and click "No" next to "Show Page Title". This prevents the title of the site from being displayed in addition to the page title.
• Now go to Joomla->Extensions->Module Manger->Search and change the menu assignment to "Classmate Home" on the Hidden menu.
• If you are using Nova Sticky Message go to Joomla-Extensions->Module Manage->Nova Sticky Message and change the menu assignment to "Classmate Home" and "Open Home".
• Finally, if you are using polls, go to Joomla->Extensions->Module Manger->Polls and change the menu assignment to "Classmate Home" on the Hidden menu.

Now, unregistered users should see the "Open home" page and logged-in, registered users should see the front page.

WARNING: I have this working on hr65.org but there is still a flaw. When you first log in the home page doesn't display the search or poll modules. They appear after you click the "Home" menu. I have fixed this on hr65.org by editing the althome.php file in a site-specific way. I intend to work out a general solution when I get a chance. If you want to use this feature now, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Bill Bean

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