How to control the loading of module positions based on the active component

Add the following line to the PHP block at the beginning of your template's index.php:

$whatComp = JFactory::getApplication()->input->get('option');

You need to know the system name of your component. For example, K2 is named com_k2.

Now around a module position code loader (you know, the <jdoc:include... thing) you should add a PHP if statement, like this:

<?php if($whatComp == "com_whatever") { ?>
  <?php if ($this->countModules('here-goes-a-module')): ?>
    <div id="my-wonder-module">
      <jdoc:include type="modules" name="here-goes-a-module" style="standard" />
    </div>
  <?php endif; ?>
<?php } ?>

How to further refine the module loading based on a specific view/layout

Add the following lines below the $whatComp line:

$whatView = JFactory::getApplication()->input->get('view');
$whatLayout = JFactory::getApplication()->input->get('layout');

With this you'll be able to narrow down the module position even more.

How is that useful?

• Module loading isn't really fine tuned in Joomla
• We don't want to resort to the overly complicated RegularLabs Advanced Module Manager
• Your client isn't really knowledgeable with Joomla, and you want to provide an easy-to-use solution