T3Doc/doc tut quickstart/A short glimpse into the extension manager
<< Back to Getting Started Tutorial
A short glimpse into the extension manager
A short glimpse into the extension managerTYPO3 has many features build in, but even more different features are implemented as extensions. With such extension you can enhance the functions of TYPO3 or build totally new features. Even a lot core features are implemented as extensions (plugins), so it is your choice if you want to use that features or not. The extension manager helps you to manage all your extensions. We want to have now a short glimpse at the extension manager. Login as admin and switch to the extension manager module.
At the top of the module, you can select different sub-modules (#1). You can get the list of all loaded extensions. This are extensions which are activated. In sub-module "Install extension" you can install and uninstall extensions which are already downloaded or shipped with as system extension. The most time you may want to download extensions from TER (TYPO3 Extension repository). This is done in the "import extension" sub-module. "Translation handling" manages the language selection for the backend and downloads the language packages for TYPO3 core and all extensions which are managed by the translation team. In "Settings" you can select an specific TER mirror and define the login for Uploading extensions. If everything works fine, you would not need to change anything. "Check for extension updates" helps you to get an quick overview for which extension an new version exists.
Now have a look at the list of loaded Extensions.
You can uninstall or install (in module "Install extensions") by clicking at the icon (#1). The title (#2) of the extension is shown. But more important is the extension key (#3). That key is used to create the extension folder in typo3conf/ext/, to define TypoScript paths and a lot more of depends on the extension key. The version (#4) and the state (#8) is set by the extension developer based on his judgement. You can download the extension itself (#5) or the manual (#6) if one is shipped with that extension. The extension type (#7) "System" indicates that an extension is shipped with the TYPO3 core, extensions of type "Local" are available in typo3conf/ext/extensionkey. Some extensions are marked as "shy", so the list should not get to long with unimportant extensions. Just check "Display shy extensions" and have a look at the list.
Now let us install an new extension. For that switch to the sub-module "Install extensions".
Click on the "Retrieve/Update" Button to retrieve the latest list of available extensions from the TER. Now let's look up for the extension ts45min.
You can download and install the extension which ships with the OpenOffice (.sxw) manual. In this case, you would not get an new module or function, just the document itself which you can download in the loaded list view.
Changing backend language
Changing backend languageUsually an editor would like to use TYPO3 in his own language. So you need to change the language of TYPO3 for him. As an first step, you have to just download the language packages you need. To do so, just start the Extension Manager and select "Translation handling".
Now select which language packages you want to download. Select all language packages you want to provide to your users.
Save your selection by hitting "Save selection". You can alter your selection at any time, so just select the languages you need now.
After saving your selection, you can either compare the actual status against the repository or just update and download the language packages from the repository. Just hit update. You will see an progress-bar where you can see for which Extension the language packages has been downloaded. Usually you should get a green bar and an green "UPD" marker for you language for each extension key. It can happen, that some extensions are not yet translated in your language, then you will get an "N/A". It may happen that not all packages get downloaded. Just hit the update button again - it should then retrieve the missing parts.
Up to now, you just downloaded the language packages. Now you need to alter your "User settings" and select your language. Switch to the "User settings" Module and select the language you want to use for your account.
Save your new configuration. You will then get an message that your settings were updates. If you have a look at the main modules, you see that the modules are now shown in the language, you selected. If you hit again "User settings" even that page will be translated.
So, you just changed your own backend language. All editors needs to do it for themselves.
If you create new editors you can give them a helping hand by selection an "default language" while creating new Backend user records. This language will be used when the log into TYPO3 the first time.
Keep in mind, that the "Default Language" really is nothing else, than an default setting. If they have logged in already, they have to switch their language for themselves in the "User settings" Module.
