Quick Start Guide

Get GPS Tools up and running in 10 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• ✅ Joomla 5.0 or later installed
• ✅ PHP 8.1 or later
• ✅ A GPS track file (GPX, KML, or TCX)

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 both plugins:
   • Content - GPS Tools (for shortcodes)
   • Finder - GPS Tools (for search)

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. Click New
3. Fill in the details:

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

4. Click Upload GPX/KML/TCX and select your file
5. Wait for parsing to complete
6. Click Save & Close

tip

The system automatically extracts coordinates, elevation, distance, and other statistics from your file.

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
• Elevation chart
• Track statistics

What's Next?

Configure Settings

Go to Components → GPS Tools → Options to configure:

• Map provider (OpenStreetMap or Google Maps)
• Unit system (Metric or Imperial)
• Chart display options
• Upload limits

Add More Tracks

Upload more GPX, KML, or TCX files:

• From GPS devices (Garmin, Suunto, etc.)
• From apps (Strava, Komoot, AllTrails)
• From online sources

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
• Star ratings
• Social sharing

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.