So, you're loving Joomla, but the sheer number of Extensions available is just overwhelming, which ones do you choose? I'll try to suggest a few that I regularly use and recommend. Here goes...

Some basic essentials: 

So where to start, probably content editors. I suggest that you install and use JCE Once you have JCE installed, there are a number of plugins available on their site that will further extend the power of the editor. An honorable mention must go to Blogg-X which allows you to update your cotent directly from your computer, not in the web browser.

Now that you have that taken care of, what about a sitemap? I suggest you install Joomap. It's simple and easy to use, and well, it will also allow you to submit your sitemap to Google.

You'll probably at times, need to manage your files, and set permission etc, so an essential for this will be Joomlaxplorer which installs as a component and saves you plenty of time using ftp/ssh etc.

Do you need to place Google Adsense into your site? If so, check out this AdSense Module

Some up and coming Extensions you may wish to keep an eye on:

Recently, Fireboard was released. I've got great expectations for this fully integrated Joomla! forum. It installs as a component, and does not require the use of a bridge. I predict that this will most likely become, in a short time, the number one native forum for Joomla. Check out the fully operational 'demo' here: www.bestofjoomla.com

From all my testing, Ircmaxell's Page Cache does everything it promises, and is probably well worth checking out. Your site will load faster, so, give it a try.

Well, that's it for today. You will notice the all the Extensions mentioned above are free. There are however, many other reasonably priced commercial Extensions that are available for Joomla. In time we'll see what we can do to review and test some of them for you.

Enjoy, and see you all somewhere in the Joomlasphere!