Question: How do you test guest functionality when your Joomla site is offline?
Answer: Install the "System - Offline" plugin!
Why It Matters
In standard Joomla operation, taking your site offline locks it behind a username and password wall, thwarting your ability to test guest (unregistered visitor) experiences. Yet, for many of us, captivating guests is as crucial as serving registered users—how else can we entice them to join our community? This plugin bridges that gap, empowering you to evaluate and refine your site’s guest-facing features without compromise.
v5.0.1
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Seamless Offline Access
Inspired by the innovative spirit of my AdminExile extension, "System - Offline" allows administrators to enable offline mode via Joomla’s Global Configuration while granting login-free access. Wander your site as a guest, log in with various authentication methods, or switch between roles—all while the offline page remains at bay. I originally crafted this tool to demo custom authentication systems to clients, letting them explore the site freely—logging in and out at will—without ever encountering the offline barrier, unless their session ended.
Effortless Configuration
Getting started is a breeze:
- Enable the plugin and set a unique key.
- Make note of the URL pattern to access your offlined site.
- Customize the whitelist (or blacklist) with specific IPv4, IPv6, or CIDR-defined networks (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24 for the 192.168.1.0–255 range) to bypass the key requirement instantly.
This flexibility accommodates individual IPs or entire networks, with IPv6 support included (no PHP-GMP extension needed anymore!). Whether you’re a CIDR novice or a networking pro, this feature ensures seamless access for authorized users.
Peace of Mind
When it’s time to go live, "System - Offline" steps aside gracefully. It aligns with Joomla’s offline status—active only when needed, exiting early to conserve resources when your site is online. Disable it for optimal performance, but rest assured it won’t interfere with your live environment.
Features
- Flexible Access Control: Whitelist IPv4, IPv6, or CIDR networks (PHP-GMP no longer required).
- Guest-Friendly Testing: Explore and test guest functionality in offline mode.
- Client Demos Made Easy: Showcase authentication systems without login hurdles.
- Resource-Efficient: Deactivates seamlessly when Joomla is online.
