Quick Start Guide

Get GPS Tools up and running in 10 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• ✅ Joomla 6.0 or later installed
• ✅ PHP 8.1 or later
• ✅ Modern browser (Chrome/Edge 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 15+)
• ✅ A GPS track file (GPX, KML, or TCX) or be ready to draw a track

Step 1: Install GPS Tools

1. Download pkg_gpstools_x.x.x.zip
2. Go to System → Install → Extensions
3. Upload and install the package
4. You should see a success message

Step 2: Enable Plugins

1. Go to System → Plugins
2. Search for "gpstools"
3. Enable the plugins:
   • Content - GPS Tools (for shortcodes)
   • Finder - GPS Tools (for search integration)
   • System - GPS Tools (for enhanced processing)
   • GPS Tools - Tracks (for track event handling)

Step 3: Create Your First Category

1. Go to Components → GPS Tools → Categories
2. Click New
3. Enter a category name (e.g., "Hiking Trails")
4. Click Save & Close

Step 4: Upload Your First Track

1. Go to Components → GPS Tools → Tracks
2. The React admin panel will load
3. Click New Track button
4. Fill in the details:

Field	Value
Title	My First Trail
Category	Hiking Trails
Activity Type	Hiking
Difficulty	Easy

5. Choose your input method:
   • Upload GPX/KML/TCX: Select a file from your GPS device or app
   • Draw on Map: Click points on the interactive map to create a route
6. Wait for parsing to complete
7. Click Save

File Upload

The system automatically extracts coordinates, elevation, distance, and statistics from GPX, KML, and TCX files.

Drawing Tracks

When drawing tracks, the map will auto-calculate distance. Elevation data can be enriched after saving using external APIs.

Step 5: Create a Menu Item

1. Go to Menus → Main Menu → Add New Menu Item
2. Click Select for Menu Item Type
3. Choose GPS Tools → Tracks List
4. Enter a title: "Our Trails"
5. Click Save & Close

Step 6: View on Your Site

1. Go to your site's frontend
2. Click on "Our Trails" in your menu
3. You should see your track listing!

Click on a track to view:

• Interactive map with multiple tile providers
• Elevation profile chart
• Track statistics (distance, elevation gain/loss, speed)
• Photo gallery
• Comments and ratings

What's Next?

Configure Settings

Go to Components → GPS Tools → Options to configure:

• Map provider (OpenStreetMap or Google Maps)
• Map tile providers (15+ options)
• Unit system (Metric or Imperial)
• Chart display options
• Upload limits and access permissions

Add More Tracks

Upload GPX, KML, or TCX files from:

• GPS devices (Garmin, Suunto, Coros, etc.)
• Fitness apps (Strava, Komoot, AllTrails)
• Online sources
• Or draw tracks directly on the map!

Customize Display

• Modules - Add map widgets to any position
• Content Plugin - Embed tracks in articles
• Configuration - Full settings reference

Engage Your Community

Enable community features:

• Comments on tracks (nested replies)
• Like/dislike ratings
• Email notifications for subscribers
• Social sharing

Admin Dashboard

The React-powered admin panel provides:

• Track statistics overview
• Recent activity monitoring
• Quick access to all management features
• Bulk operations

Quick Reference

Shortcode for Articles

Display a track in any article:

{gpstools track="1"}

Common Settings Locations

Setting	Location
Map Provider	Options → Map Settings
Unit System	Options → Display Settings
Permissions	Options → Permissions
Categories	GPS Tools → Categories
Track List	GPS Tools → Tracks

Useful Menu Types

Menu Type	Shows
Tracks List	All published tracks
Single Track	One specific track
Category Tracks	Tracks in a category

Getting Help

If you run into issues:

1. Check the Troubleshooting Guide
2. Review the Configuration reference
3. Ensure plugins are enabled
4. Clear Joomla and browser cache

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Congratulations! You've successfully set up GPS Tools. Explore the documentation to learn about advanced features like custom waypoints, module configuration, and API integration.