= How To Build a Facebook Clone using Dolphin 7 =

Many people are looking for the best solutions in the world of Free and Open Source Software for Community and Social Networking sites to answer the challenge of making a successful "Facebook Clone".

Dolphin is '''Free''' and '''Open Source'''. This fact presents great advantages and opportunities, and along with its key features like independent Modules structure, Language file system, Page, Menu and Profile Fields Builders, you're off to a great start!

So... let's see what we will need and how we can do it right!

'''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/Dol7Installation Make sure you have installed Dolphin correctly]''' ;)

== Modules ==

'''''Dolphin Administration Panel -> Tools -> Modules'''''

Choose the appropriate modules and put them together, like: Facebook Connect, Wall, Photos, Friends, Groups, Events, Ads, Sites, Simple Messenger, Forum, etc.

'''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminModules Learn More "How to install Modules"]''' 

[[Image(Modules.jpg)]]

== Builders ==

'''''Dolphin Administration Panel -> Builders'''''

- Use the power of the '''Builders''' menus to manage '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminNavigationMenu Navigation]''' and '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminMemberMenu Member]''' menus - tweak the order and placement of menu items of the modules you have chosen. 

[[Image(NavMenu_builder.png)]]

[[Image(MemMenu_builder.png)]]

- With the Page Blocks builder, you compose pages, their blocks and columns. You need to do 3 columns - rearranging the blocks between them on particular pages. Drag-n-drop blocks between columns and tune column width values easily. '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminPagesBlocks Learn More]'''

[[Image(PageBlock_builder.png)]]

- Simplify the join process of your site. Arrange existing or add new fields for your site members Profile information. '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminProfileFields Learn more about Profile Fields]'''

[[Image(Fields_builder.png)]]

== Membership and Privacy ==

'''''Dolphin Administration Panel -> Settings -> Membership Levels''' and '''-> Privacy Settings'''''

Give your site members freedom, confidence and comfort with a flexible:

- '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminMembershipLevels Set of Membership levels]''' 

[[Image(MemLevels.png)]]

- '''[http://www.boonex.com/trac/dolphin/wiki/DolphinAdminPrivacySettings and Enabled Privacy Settings]''' 

[[Image(Privacy.png)]]

== Logo and Splashscreen ==

'''''Dolphin Administration Panel -> Settings -> Basic Settings'''''

- Put your "Facebook Clone" Site Title here

- Upload a new "Facebook Clone" logo for your site

- Upload new pictures for the splashscreen or Promo block on the Home Page  

[[Image(BasicSettings.png)]]

- Or create your own HTML page for the Promo block

[[Image(BasicSettingsHTML.png)]]

== Language Settings ==

'''''Dolphin Administration Panel -> Settings -> Languages Settings'''''

It's all in one place - no need to go here or there, just find and replace language keys

- Change the default texts to your own text on such pages as "About Us", "Terms of Use", "Privacy" 
- Adjust/edit other wording throughout your site

[[Image(LanguageSet.png)]]

== Out Of The Box ==

'''''!BoonEx -> Unity -> [http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/home Market]'''''

Unity Market offers a great set of competitive products made by professional web-developers and web-designers to enhance Dolphin sites with different Facebook extensions and Facebook-fashioned templates: 

    * '''[http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/entry/Auto_Friend_Facebook_Connect Auto Friend - Facebook Connect]'''
        * Auto-friend any member that joins your site via Facebook Connect
    * '''[http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/entry/Facebook_for_D7 Facebook for Dolphin 7]'''
        * Post statuses to Facebook from Dolphin
        * Displaying your friends on Facebook
        * Displaying your Friends Latest status updates
    * '''[http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/entry/Facebook_Template_for_D7 Facebook Template for Dolphin 7]'''
        * Compatible with the latest version of Dolphin
        * Optimized to work with FireFox, IE, Safari
        * The best quality and support
    * '''[http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/entry/Dolphin_2_Facebook_The_Ultimate_Mod Dolphin 2 Facebook]'''
        * Like functionality
        * Share functionality
        * Social plugins support for Like Box added
        * Display Facebook Groups, Events, Friends, etc
        * Display News Feeds with features like pictures, likes, comments
    * '''[http://www.boonex.com/unity/extensions/search/facebook Look for more Facebook Extensions, Templates for Dolphin]'''

== Showcase ==

    * [http://www.boonex.com/unity/community/entry/Vdubber_Next_Generation_Volkswagen_Community Vdubber - Next Generation Volkswagen Community]

[[Image(Vdubber.jpg, 350px)]]

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'''Note: Most of the extensions and templates have their own installation instructions provided by the owner. Most of the extensions and templates can be installed only if you have already done a full Dolphin installation. Please contact the owner of the product via Unity personal messaging to clarify the details you have doubts in.'''