tags to indicate their importance

Steve, this is just what we were looking for! This helps tremendously. Thanks.

Great article Steve. Thanks for the comparisons.

For "Encrypted", you should replace the icons with the words "Yes" and "No". The check makes it seem like being encrypted is a positive attribute and not being encrypted is negative. I would even consider putting "Yes" in red and "No" in green.

Interesting that you find sh404sef the most complex. Always seemed very obvious to me. (But then I've never tried the rest)

I think the security features of sh404sef should be mentioned personally!

I always put sh404sef and the joomlatwork sef patch (paid version) on every site i build.

They are great.

I agree with Cory. You could possibly change that category to "Unencrypted" if you wanted to stick with icons.

Hi Steve, thanks for including iJoomla SEO. It's important to understand that iJoomla SEO is not a SEF extension like the others on the list. It's meant to help you SEO your site quickly and easily (meaning - creating the metatags, monitoring them and keywords, etc.). In addition to the features listed here, I believe the strongest new feature we have is Keywords monitoring - you can see how your keywords are doing on Google (are they up or down?) and what's their rank on Google. There are tones of other cool features that you can find out more about on our site.

Also, we do have "no follow" feature if you use the redirects feature to create redirect links

Great chart. Thanks for sharing!

I'm curious on all your thoughts: as far as encrypted vs. unencrypted, which is better? And why?

Thanks.

good article.

I personally like Artio.

Maybe another feature worth noting is JoomFish compatibility. Not sure the others come with it but some of the JoomFish integration with Artio is nice.

just like John B, i use sh404sef and paid version of SEF patch to all my websites!

working great!

The most important feature in Artio SEF for me is the possibility to switch the handler to default Joomla! handling. In this way it is possible to use Artio SEF together with the router if the component author wrote it. Best example is Artio SEF + SOBI 2 + SobiSEF plugin.

I read that sh404 is not good at blogs, something about the pagination? if you want to go to page 2, 3, 4, it doesn't works and sends to the first page.

That's why I'm still using Artio, and it seems sh404 is better. Is it true what I read? is there a way to fix it?

thanks

sh404SEF doesn't support Joomla 1.5 native routing via router.php, only Artio has such support but also with a bug.

Yannick announced yesterday that he won't be able to develop sh404SEF further.

Hopefully someone will take over ... this extension is such a huge asset to Joomla.

Kind regards
Zorro

We've found Artio's support to be really good, which is an important fact as well. They've always gotten back to us quickly with some advance integration issues.

Big Steve!

Thanks. Can you maybe make the headers of your table into links to the extensions' main page.

Best,
Ken

Spot-on article, untangling which does what, and what it'll cost to get there.

Hi,
I'd add a new characteristic for non-UTF URLs.
I think only sh404sef can handle this feature...

So I would order them the next time a template Alledia Bolt, because it's beautiful views, the development of components show times, I myself use ARTIO JoomSEF V3.3.4 am very satisfied with all components

Thumbs up for sh404 plus sef patch from me. Works like a charm.

sh404sef is the best, i have used it for more that 100+ joomla websites, and works out of the box, yes there was some problem with pagination and virtuemart, i guess the bug id solved.
I hope the development of component will continue. As joomla 1.6 will be release soon.
Regards
webworldguru

I personally use SH404SEF on my virtuemart site.

Along with ijoomla SEO. I do like ijoomla but just wish it had some way of editing virtuemart products.

If I am using the sh404SEF, what extra benefits does the SEF patch bring? I purchased it but couldn't see what it did that was not already provided by sh404SEF. Was I missing something obvious?

we use both sh404 and artio, for whichi must add, that e.g. for keywords / description generation, etc i prefer an extra plugin.
in my experience there are more issues with sh404 then with artio, we have troubles at clients sites e.g. with virutemart and the dropdown of list length & pagination in sh404, and some minor others.
but still, both components are head to head in the race in my opinion.

That is very bad news about Yannick will not be dev'ing sh404sef anymore. He has made a truly fantastic component. Whoever picks this up will have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Personally, sh404sef goes on every site I build, and I make my choices about what other extensions I use on the site based on their compatibility with sh404.

As far as I am concerned sh404sef compatibility should be required to release an extension on the JED (and every component should be released with a sh404 plugin!)

I know that is wishful thinking...
But I couldn't tell you how many forum posts I have made trying to get something working properly with sh404. When I get a response like "dont use sh404" or "I dont use it so I dont care" It makes my head want to explode.

Steve, thanks for the comparison, and especially the suggestion about iJoomlaSEO!

This is what i was looking for this afternoon cool thanks bro

Bookmarking this page!

Thanks Steve for doing us all a big favor!

i am happy to see that Steve use sh404sef with seopatch extention. i use both of them too .
but i use more then those extensions. linkr, tag for joomla from joomlatag.com, reReplacer. more seo tools are started to develop like plugin keywordlink.
joomla needs more powerful seo tools like wordpress tools.

We use the sh404SEF and Joomlawork's SEF patch extended version. We've been happy with the results.

Hi,

A new SEF component has been released, AceSEF.
Here you can get more info:
http://www.joomace.net/joomla-extensions/acesef

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

Denis,

without having tried AceSEF on one of my sites, let me make one suggestion: Please lose the sitewide link "SEO by AceSEF" that you have in the free version.

Personally I will NEVER install an extension that forces an unwanted backlink on me.

Just my personal 2 cents.

Kind regards,
Zorro

You might also want to check that it is actualy usable. I just installed it and the configuration spits out a missing table error

Hi,

@Zorro
You can lose the copyright link by purchasing the Plus package ($19).

@Brian
Can you post a little more details about the error on our support forums plz.

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

Hello,

thanks Denis Dulici for giving information about new SEF component,


Reagrds
stiffin

Shameless link!

@David
Benightedly message!!!

Denis i think you should offer us more free extension for popular components.. like mosets.. adsmanager... joomgallery...puarcade... seyret... because other sef components offer them for free...

- There are almost 30 extensions we distribute for free for AceSEF. Neither sh404SEF nor JoomSEF has done so much free extensions theirself.
- AdsManager and JoomGallery is not free neither for sh404SEF nor for JoomSEF (1.5 versions).
- Mosets extensions are commercial for JoomSEF. Free Hot Property of sh404SEF doesnt work any more (1.5 version).
- Seyret is not free for sh404SEF.

sh404SEF is no more free, its new price is $35

sh404SEF was popular because it was free and it Worked, it is sad to see any extension dev.anything-digital.com guys get hold of turns to commercial, we at VirtueMart recommended sh404SEF to all our users but no more, have to look for alternative, unless sh404SEF once again is offered for free.

free or not if it does the job then i think its worth the costs.

$35 is not a lot and if that spurs more development of the component then I'm all for it.

To be honest if I had to pay for virtuemart I would be perfectly happy to do so... maybe that would spur the developers to actually make some attempt to answer support forum questions... (no not my questions by the way - I gave up asking long ago)

@Denn Den: look for Joomla router support in the next version, due in a few days.

@David
If you mean JUST "Generating SEF URLs" with doing job then yes, its worth the costs.

But before you say it does the job I would advice to take a look at these LINKs:
http://www.joomace.net/joomla-extensions/acesef
http://www.joomace.net/blog/sh404sef-joomsef-and-acesef

Of course $35 is reasonable but the amount is not the issue freedom to try is, I understand that most developers need to get paid, no question about it, in the past I have donated to sh404SEF once less than the current price and twice more than the current price, and have donated to many other projects too, what I am trying to say is users will donate towards a good extension, instead of charging for the extension it is better to provide it for free and charge for support and documentation, I am sure if sh404SEF was paid extension from the beginning it wouldn't have been the most popular SEF extension, this is only my opinion each developer has the right to try his/her own business model.

At the time Zorro wrote his comment about AceSEF, I would definitely have agreed with his thoughts. However, in light of the excellent sh404 extension no longer being free, I think credit links offer a great way to give users a try-before-you-buy experience.

Hi Sam,

In fact that is the purpose of giving a copyrighted free version.
You can see the extension in action and if you like it you can buy the plus version.

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

@ Denis

Was trying to take a look at aceSEF but there is no virtuemart extension available in the shop... there is a link to it but nothing there.

Also are we expected to pay separately for all the extensions...? that could work out quite costly.

I'm afraid its difficult to test it out as a new component without being able to play with it a little.

Hi David,

VirtueMart extension will be ready within 2-3 days.

Yes, you should pay for the commercial extensions. The same rule is for sh404SEF and JoomSEF too, as you can see in our shop, we did most of extensions for sh404SEF and JoomSEF.

There are almost 30 free extensions avaliable for AceSEF that you can play.

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

hmm... all my sites are virtuemart based. tell you what. sort me a copy of the virtuemart extension and I will write up a review and comparison against sh404sef.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Hi David,

We'll be glad if you write a review about AceSEF but I think that the extension shouldnt be a condition for this, I mean we expect real reviews so we can develop better our product.

However, I'll send you the extension as soon as it'll be finished

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

Hi,

I've just started using acesef after trying both artio and sh404, and I have to say that so far I'm extremely impressed. I made the switch because I couldn't get pagination to work with a either of the other sef components.

I'll be glad to share my full impressions after a couple of days of testing, but so far I'm extremely impressed. Great interface, handling of sef urls is quite intuitive, and I finally have sef urls with pagination.

Biggest selling point to me was the incredible level of support provided by Denis. Denis spent an enormous amount of time working through a handful of problems I had on my initial installation, and everyting seems to be working fine now.

Given the performance of the product and the level of support provide, I feel that I got excellent value for my money.

Patrick

Regretfully SH404SEF has been bought into dev.anything-digital.com:: horrible (non-existing actually) support by this company.

Forum loads of unanswered questions but that is related as stated to the Terms you subscribe to:" No warranty, guarantee or support is included as described in the terms for each extension" So you pay for getting the product (download) and access to documentation. That's it, so be forewarned. Testing of AceSef is ongoing looks promising. At least they provide support which means value for money.

Chad Utzman

Hi,

I totally agree with Chad, check this topic for example:
http://dev.anything-digital.com/Forum/sh404SEF-for-Joomla-1.5/4969-Looking-for-some-Addons/

Even if the answer is completly clear the moderator asked a silly question just to let them say that they asnwer question. Or the support team dont know enything about sh404SEF...

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

I guess when you are banned for bad practice by the JED, Denis, you have to resort to posting fake comments on other peoples blogs to promote your cloned goods wherever you can.

Denis,
I have not posted to create a rant. Also you should imho not use this Alledia site to promote your own product and write destructive about competition. Does not do you any good

2 ct's

Chad

Hi,

May be you're right for my previous messages but not for my last one so I guess you forgot to write last message in your first message text.

Best Regards
Denis Dulici

@Chad: I suggest you do more research. There is "no warranty or guarantee" as this terms is required by the GPL license.

Further, you will see a great many answered posts on the forum. It is inaccurate to suggest that we don't monitor the forum. Most posts are answered same-day, and many within minutes of the original posting.

Victor,
I will respond to you appropriate... You yourself respond in your forum that it is pure 'kindness' that you respond on the forum and i can point you to dozens of these replies of yours. Every and each time you point to your Terms outlining exactly what I state....You claim you do not have to provide support and I can point you to each and every individual respond! (made printscreens before you delete them!) I mentioned I do not want a rant but you ask for one you get one. Your service sucks, does not exist, half of the forum posts are not being answered and you hide behind Terms

Cheers mate and luck with the sale of SH404SEF: Me and my clients are gone just as with JcalPro:: We do like support when we pay for a product and you simply refuse to provide support...you even post as such in your Terms and do not hide behind GPL....because if you do that the tank goes really open! .....and from you support?: we do not get it

Cheers
Chad

Yes, there certainly was a time when the forum was not moderated closely. And you don't need screenshots, just search the forum (we don't delete posts unless they are insulting, vulgar, etc).

But in the last 6 months there has been a big switch. This is common now that we have enough income to staff the forum. As I said, go and look at the recent posts. The proof is there.

Hi Steve,

Thank you for adding AceSEF in your comparison table.

I would be greatful if you would be more clear about our promotions plz. I mean if there is something wrong we wont hesitate to fix it.

Best Regards

@dennis - That should be kind of obvious. The component adds links to your site unless you upgrade to the full version.

Seems pretty clear to me, Denis. Your behavior in this comment thread (hijacking the thread, attacking other developers, etc.) has guaranteed that I won't be using AceSEF. That was very kind of Steve to add you to the list. Frankly, I wouldn't have.

Steve,
I am sorry but what I consider "dubious" is far from the trial and error AceSEF is doing compared to the small print at Victor Dovers site (dev. anythingdigital.com) "No warranty, guarantee or support is included as described in the terms for each extension" The others (SEF providers) commit support. Victor refuses in advance in writing in his terms..it is that simple....You can contact me directly and we can discuss that if you like...will be for sure an enlightening and eye-opening experience..Send me a Skype and I contact you

Chad

@David
Check the table again plz. JoomSEF's free version has link too. sh404SEF and SEF Advance doesnt give you the opportunity to test the component unless you buy it.

@Cory
Best Regards

Cory,
Holier than the Pope. Please comment on hard issues such as terms of the other competitors instead of writing somebody (who does not express himself to well) creating a good product, off?

Nice lecture mate!

Chad

It is mentioned in the table free version of ArtioSEF (JoomSEF) has links.

Thanks for the personal attack, Chad. Very professional.

I have used sh404SEF for a couple of years whenever I have needed an SEF extension. It does everything I need it to do, and it does it well. I don't need another SEF extension. If I did, I certainly wouldn't use AceSEF, for the reasons I listed in my previous post.

Anything Digital is keeping it as a GPL extension, so if people don't like the support, they can take the code and fork it. I've seen some people already doing that. That's the beauty of the GPL. Let the market decide, rather than attack other developers on someone else's blog.

Personally, I'm happy Anything Digital has put financial backing behind a great product, so that its development can continue.

Cory, you are most welcome and with pleasure!

What financial backing does anything.digital gives? They just sell SH404SEf and do not need to provide support and fill pockets. We have used SH404SEf on dozens of sites as preferred pax. But as soon as it turned to the new owner (Dover and co.) and based on our Jcalc-Pro experience: NO GO! If that (no warranty/no support) has your blessings than you have a weird perception of business in my eyes

Cheers

Chad

You're missing the point, Chad. First off, Anything Digital doesn't "own" sh404SEF. They are simply putting a business model behind it to help give the developer the resources to continue development. The code is still GPL.

If you feel you can provide better support, take the last version of sh404SEF that you downloaded, re-brand it, and either sell support or just give it away for free. That's the beauty of the GPL.

Also, why do you attack me "with pleasure"? What's your problem?

I think You (!) are missing some points here Cory! [urlhttp://extensions.siliana.com/en/2009082477/General/Some-news-and-some-changes-for-sh404sef.html and I quote:

so I am hereby announcing that I will no longer develop or support sh404sef

What you mean by continuing development? Seems obvious that Yannick does not continue from own statements does it?

As with Jcal, the people of anything.digital have no idea about SEO, just purchased the product to resell and it will die within no time since they lack experience to provide support.... That is real life Cory and is no attack whatsoever. Interesting to see how thin the skin of some people is though (lol)

Chad

Sorry for the errors in the entry: Unable to correct

Chad

That link was before Anything Digital took over the project. He is now continuing development, thanks to Anything Digital.

Good luck with JCal. I'm sure you will provide top-notch support and overthrow Anything Digital in no time.

Chad, you can insult me all you want. I won't lose sleep over it. It just makes you look bad.

Did not realize I was insulting...(but I am stupid I admit!)

If so please accept my most sincere apologies

Chad

Hi all,

wow, things are getting weird here!

What you mean by continuing development? Seems obvious that Yannick does not continue from own statements does it?

I am glad you read my blog post. I'd love you read the few posts that followed! Please at least read : http://extensions.siliana.com/...gital.html
We're here in Steves'paddock, so I don't want to use too much space. However, you can also read what I wrote here : http://forum.joomla.org/viewto...b#p1842437

As with Jcal, the people of anything.digital have no idea about SEO, just purchased the product to resell and it will die within no time since they lack experience to provide support

and lastly, to make everything clear:
1 - I am the one and only sh404sef developer AT anything-digital. I produced the version we released last week (first under new organisation). I have another one coming within 2-3 days.
2 - My experience of A.D. support in their forum since I had access to it a few month back is not similar to Chad's.
3 - Working with them has allowed me to answer myself on the A.D. forum to some questions (@chad : including the one about JCE in which you participated!). Obviously, it'll take a bit of time for A.D staff to get to full speed, especially considering that most issues with sh404sef are not sh404sef issues, but external. That was expected considering that sh404sef. And that's why I participate in the support.
Rgds to all

Every day there's a battle on my head between sh404sef and sefadvance or joomsef... :-) and here is the same!

Hello!
this is excellent review thank you will save this url for my end users.

Thanks thats really helpful. I am going to get one now and I love this comments box is this a joomla module please? If so which one as am looking for a really simple comments box and i keep finding really complex ones. Sorry to deviate off topic.

I suggest you do your homework before you purchase aceSEF or any product from Denis Dulici. I purchased acesef several weeks ago. It was full of bugs, basically brought my site to it's knees. Asked for a refund, was denied and told to wait for the next release 1.2.0. This release was also not stable. I asked for another refund, and was ignored.

Bottom line is, if this product does not work for you consider your money gone! They will ask for more money for further support, and answer only the support questions on the member forum they feel like.

I've found that when JoomAce.com is down, you cannot configure aceSEF. Attempting to access the component from the backend, you get an ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE error, but when their site is back online, the component opens perfectly.

I'd notify their support, but the sites been up and down all day. Presently, it is down.

I used to use Jpromoter on Joomla 1.0. It had great Url editing and meta data edit abilities. Now on 1.5, I have been using Artio Joom sef and Joomseo for the page titles.
Problem is Go daddy. I have been so far unable to get it working on godadyd. Which is the best one for godaddy or how to make Artio work on godaddy. They are not much help on godaddy.

Thanks

I suggest to use new free PHP IDE Codelobster PHP Edition with special Joomla plug-in.
The last version includes so-called Joomla Template Editor (Theme Editor). For the work with templates you don't need to install Joomla, you don't even need to have apache server. Plug-in combines necessary files and provides them in WYSIWYG view.
One more useful function: HTML inspector (as in FireBug), that allows you to compare visual elements with lines of code that correspond to it.

Plug-in expands the list of auto-complete with functions of Joomla API and allows to call for "help" for them directly from Joomal's site.

@Stas: Wrong article, wrong universe, sorry. This is not about templates.