It is recommended that you check the version of Zikula that the module supports. There are quite a few modules available for download from various web sites on the Internet that are outdated and could possibly harm your Zikula installation. A good rule of thumb is to check the module release database on www.zikula.org before installing a module.
Before we get started, let's cover some basics. Modules (as with most software you download from the internet) are distributed as a single compressed file called a distribution archive. You must uncompress this distribution archive on your own computer before uploading all the included files to your web server. The files will need to be uploaded to your web server using an FTP program.
As with all tasks, you should always read the included instructions before installing a module. In most cases the documention is included with the module in a folder named "pndocs". Unfortunetly, there doesn't seem to be a naming standard for the installation help file, so using some common sense is typically required. Look for a file named "install", "readme", "help", or something similiar. If you can't find anything usefull that will guide you through the installation, keep reading.
Step 1
The module path from your web site root folder is /modules/modulename where "modulename" is the actual name of the module.
Example: the path to the Pagesetter folder is /modules/pagesetter
You might be tempted to simply copy the folder from the distribution archive with the same name as the module you're trying to install, to the modules folder on your web server, but unless you know exactly what you're doing, it's best to follow the instructions below.
In most cases there will be an "html" folder in the archive containing other folders that all need to be copied to your web site root folder. Some modules require files to be copied to their own folder within the modules folder as well as other locations.
If after uncompressing the distribution archive you find a folder named "html" you will need to copy the contents of the "html" folder to your web site root folder. Take care not to copy the "html" folder itself, only the contents of the "html" folder. If you take a look you may find folders inside of "html" named "modules", "javascript", "includes", as well as the occasional file.
Step 2
With the files all successfully transfered to your web server to the proper locations, you will need to tell your Postnuke installation that you have a new module installed, initialize it, then activate it.
Go to your Zikula site and log in as an administrator. Navigate to the administration menu (http://www.yoursite.com/admin.php) and click on the "System" tab.
You should see the "Modules" link/icon, click it. Click on the Regenerate link near the top of the Modules page. This will force Zikula to look for newly uploaded modules and add them to the list.
Find the newly installed module in the list, either by going page-by-page or clicking on the letter that corresponds to the first letter of the module. Click the "Initialize" link on the right. This will initialize the module, but doesn't activate it.
Click the "Activate" link to made the new module active and ready for use.
If you want to activate a "Hook" you can do so by clicking on the "Hook" link.
Step 3
You should then change any administrative settings for that module, either by clicking on the "Admin" link in the modules listing, or clicking the link/icon for the module in the administration panel.
Some modules will not function until you set them up via the module's administration panel.
Note:
This tutorial should not be used in place of a module's own installation instructions. Many modules require that your perform specific tasks like creating folders, setting permissions, etc.