How to install OJS 3 with detail step by step ?

After deciding to use OJS as your journal platform, in this article we explain some basic steps to test or install this OJS on your local environment or on your server.

Installing Open Journal Systems (OJS) version 3 is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps.

Before beginning the installation process, ensure that your server meets the minimum system requirements for OJS 3.

Note : In this guideline, we use Virtualmin as the server panel, but in this guide, you can also use Cpanel, Plesk, and Virtualmin. Also, this installation only covers basic OJS installation, you may improve your security aspect before using OJS on your production server. We recommend reading this article for OJS installation with improved security.

Read more: How to secure OJS

You also need to pay attention to the OJS server requirement before you go forward with this article.

And now, we will begin our tutorial for: “How to install OJS 3.3x on my server?”

Here’s a quick preview of the later OJS install list:

• Download OJS version 3.3x
• Extracting and pulling out all files from the .tar.gz folder
• Creating a “files” folder and database for the OJS
• Installing OJS
• Making “Journal” for OJS

Preview:

System Requirements #

To run the latest release of OJS 3.x, your web server will need:

• PHP 7.3 or later with MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL support (Currently OJS 3.x does not support PHP 8)
• A database server: MySQL/MariaDB 4.1 or later OR PostgreSQL 9.1.5 or later
• UNIX-like OS recommended (such as Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Mac OS X, etc.)

For more complete details, please click here: What is the OJS Server Requirement?

Note: Create a new folder at location : public_folder/ojs_folder

The installation process #

Download OJS version 3.3x #

First, you need to download the OJS ver 3.3x. Download the latest version of OJS here,

Once downloaded, place ojs-3.3.x.x.tar.gz in the OJS folder that you just created on your server.

Extracting and pulling out all files from the .tar.gz folder #

Extract the .tar.gz. By right-clicking, then selecting “Extract”.

Then, cut all the contents of the extracted folder. And paste it out of the folder.

Creating a “files” folder and database for the OJS #

1. Create a parent folder for the “files” folder and then create a “files” folder in it (Outside of a folder that people can access A.k.a public_html).

Why create a “files” folder? That’s because later during the installation, it will ask for the location where you want to put all the OJS data? (journals, site, etc.) and that’s why, we created a folder “files”.

And why should we create folders outside of the folders that people can access? (outside from folder public_directory). Short answer, so people or hacker can’t access / peek your folder (“files”).

2. Creating a fresh database for OJS

Create a fresh empty database for your OJS site in PhpMyAdmin / MySQL.

Installing OJS #

If you have created a “files” folder and a fresh empty database for your OJS. We will begin the installation + configuration process for your OJS site.

Go to your OJS site: your_domain.com/your_ojs_folder_name/

Example: google.com/ojs_3303_a/ (Just an example)

1. Fill in the administrator account #

Fill in the data for your OJS site admin account.

Reminder! : Don’t forget to keep a note of the username and password!

2. Primary dan additional locales #

Select the Primary locale and Additional locales you want for your OJS site.

3. Client character set #

Select the encoding you want. But it is better to use the default encoding of its OJS.

4. File Settings Directory for uploads #

Enter the path of the “files” folder that was created earlier.

Path: Path_your_server/parent_folder_files/files

5. Database driver #

Enter your MySQL account username and password, and the database name that you already created.

6. OAI Settings Repository Identifier #

Usually, this will be generated by the OJS but if you want to change it, you can change it (it’s up to you)

And if everything is filled in, you can press “Install Open Journal Systems”

The installation was successful! #

And the OJS installation was successful!.

Next, we will create a “Journal” that can be accessed by people and can be used for book publication. Select “login” to login to your OJS site.

Create your first journal on OJS #

First, log in using the admin account that was just created.

And if you have logged in, later we will be asked to create “Hosted Journals” for our OJS site. Select “Create Journal” to create a new Journal.

Then fill in the data for your “Journal” OJS. Click “Save” to confirm the data.

Then you successfully added “Journal” to your OJS site.

Continue to select on the left end and select the Journal you just created.

Press the name of your “Journal” title.

And yeah, congrats! you have successfully created an OJS version 3.3x for your site!

Ghazi Pradana

Hello! I'm Ghazi, im OJS Technical Support from Openjournaltheme. Have a passion for linux, helping solve publisher problems related to the use of OJS, OMP and Eprints.