8 Free Elgg Plugins You Should Try Out

After the release of elgg 1.8 there was a lack of good/useful plugins. Most were designed for 1.7 and it was a real problem for people who adopted 1.8

Now, six months after the first release of elgg 1.8 there over 200 plugins for elgg. We at SW Social Web, will tell you the top ten free elgg plugins you must have on your elgg network.

SW Social Docs

This is a simple plugin that will let you embed Adobe PDF, MS Word and MS Powerpoint files on your site.

Supported files: .pdf .doc .ppt .xls

This plugin extends the files plugin. You must have the files plugin in order to work. This is the only one which adds support to walled garden elgg networks.

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: SW Social Docs

SW Files Filter Pro

This is a plugin that will filter which file types can be uploaded within your elgg network. It's pretty simple: You can select any file type without having to find or type its MIME type.

Please keep in mind that it has to process the file first before it detects what kind of file it is. This is a standard and accepted procedure. This plugin is a must have, and the perfect match for using along with SW Social Docs.

Filter Options: .pdf .doc .ppt .xls .mp3 .jpg

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: SW Files Filter Pro

Ishouvik Profile

This is pretty much a wonderful plugin that creates a three column profilepage layout replacing the regular elgg profilepage. Instead of three profile widgets, only one is displayed on right.

Instead of having the default profile, you can have an outstanding layout if you get this plugin. The only issue that I found is that you must have the message board enabled. I have no idea why, but it requires it. Besides that it is a good plugin

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: Ishouvik Profile

Profile Manager

Want to add more profile fields to elgg without coding? Wanna add fields to the registration form?  Profile manager lets you do that and more. It is pretty much one of the most useful plugins that you must have on your elgg network. From profile types to custom fields, this plugin will give you that and more!

Features:

    * ordering of custom fields (drag and drop)

    * add profile types

    * add categories (draggable reordering, drop fields on categories to add)

    * adds pulldown, radio, file, multiselect, calendar and datepicker field types

    * show on register form (profile fields only)

    * show output as tags

    * mandatory fields (for register form, profile fields only)

    * mandatory profile icon on register form

    * disallow editing of a specific field (applies to edit profile only)

    * replace profile fields access control with just one profile access option

    * backup / restore profile fields configuration

    * export user profile (meta)data to csv

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: Profile Manager

Tidypics

If you ever need to add a picture gallery plugin to your elgg network, you should get Tidypics. This is the best gallery plugin available for elgg. Well, pretty much the only one. After months of waiting, we finally got it. Even thought this is a beta release, it works well. No bugs found so far, and that's why I recommend it.


Features:

    * Albums
    * Comments
    * Tagging
    * Slideshow
    * Watermarking
    * Upload multiple images at once (web form or flash uploader)
    * Album sorting
    * RSS feeds
    * Notifications
    * Activity (river) integration
    * Views counter
    * Group albums

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: Tidypics

Mobilize

Mobilize detects when your visitors are using a mobile device. Your normal theme will still be used. If you use Elgg default custom index, it will be used as landing page, else the mobilize login page will be used. This is perfect if you want to allow users to use every aspect of your elgg network on their mobiles.

Even thought it is not a custom app for iPhone or Android, it feels like a native app. It gives a smooth mobile feel to your network.


Feature:

    * Plugin Settings
    * Define header color
    * Display your own logo
    * Custom index support
    * Walled garden support
    * Language support

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: Mobilize for elgg 1.8

Wire Pro

This is a powerful plugin that will let you increase or decrease the character limit of the wire. Not only that, it will add privacy to wire posts of your users, just like in facebook

This plugin is compatible with most of the themes developed for elgg 1.8

You must enable The Wire before using it.

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: Wire Pro for elgg 1.8

SW Social Translator

Want to add language support to your elgg network? Need to display everything on your elgg network on several languages? Look no more, get the SW Social Translator Plugin for elgg 1.8

Don't waste time trying language packages that will break your site, download this nice plugin and have your network available in a wide variety of languages. It is being widely use in several elgg networks that needs content, not only menus, to be available in any language they need.

Compatible Elgg Version: 1.8

Download it here: SW Social Translator for elgg 1.8