History: Module

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{DIV(class="lead")}In Tiki, a **module** is simply a box of content (which may or may not have "chrome" such as borders and title backgrounds). All side-column information of this site is presented through modules. The ((Modules Admin)) page is used to add modules to and manage modules in the module zones of a Tiki site.{DIV}
 
Here's a screenshot: 
{img fileId="442" thumb="y" rel="box[g]" width="200" alt="Module" desc="Default Tiki page with the Menu module in the left column." stylebox="border:1px solid darkgray; float:left; margin-right:70px;margin-left:50px" imalign="center" button="y"} 

{DIV(float="left" width="250px")}{BOX()}Some common uses for modules are to:

- Display ((menus))
- Add special ((features))
- Display custom information to users
- List most recent or most frequent actions or items{BOX}{DIV}

{DIV(clear=both)}{DIV}



After adding modules, you can re-order them, assign ((permissions)) to them (so they appear only for specific user ((groups)) ), or even allow them to be customized by specific users.

{REMARKSBOX(type=tip, title=Note)} *Even though they are called* modules*, nearly all are included with the default Tiki installation. There are no additional "add-ons" to be installed in order to use these modules.*{REMARKSBOX}

### Configuring and Displaying Modules

For site-wide module settings, click the **General** icon {icon name="admin_module" size="2" title="Image may vary depending on icon set in use."} on the ((Admin Panels|Admin Panel)) or Access **http://example.org/tiki-admin.php?page=general**. 
These settings will apply to all modules on the site and are explained in more detail at ((Module Admin)).

There are two ways to configure and display individual modules:

1. Using the Admin Modules Panel 
    - Located at **Admin->Modules** or **tiki-admin_modules.php**
    - Allows you to: 
        - Set module parameters
        - Create custom modules
        - Place modules in the left or right column and, since ((Tiki7)), other areas like the page header and footer
    - Documentation at ((Module Admin))
2. Using ((PluginModule)) 
    - Allows you to: 
        - Display a module in a page or within other features (like blogs, articles, etc.) besides the left or right columns
        - Also place module content inside of a user module
        - Set module parameters
    - See ((Index of Modules))

## Modules vs. Plugins

The distinction between **modules** and **((wiki plugin|plugins))** is a little blurry. Technically speaking, modules are the *containers* and plugins are the *content.* However, the predefined modules included with the default Tiki installation contain plugins/content, but they are commonly called **modules**, too.

## Where to Go From Here

- ((Module Admin))--Introduction to the module admin pages for site-wide and individual module settings 
    - ((Assigning Modules))--How to select a module to configure it
    - ((Module Settings Interface))--Interface for configuring individual module settings
    - ((Module Settings Parameters))--Explanation of standard parameter settings for modules
    - ((Creating Custom Modules))--How to create custom modules
- ((Index of Modules))--Links to the documentation of individual modules



{DIV(class=titlebar)}Related Pages{DIV}


- ((User Modules))--how (if the feature is active) users can choose and place their modules
- ((Creating Custom Modules))--how to create simple and advanced custom modules includin small tutorial
- ((Mods Type Modules))--links to modules that are installed as components



{DIV(class=titlebar)}Alias{DIV}


- (alias(ModulesDoc))
- (alias(Modules))

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