Guide to Using the AMI Digital OJS Minimalist Theme: From Getting to Know, Installing, to Using the Theme

About the Guide

Just heard of OJS and confused about where to start? What is OJS? What is it for? What do you need to prepare? Is it installed on hosting or on a server? And how do you make it look attractive? This guide answers everything in order, in plain language: from getting to know OJS, preparing requirements, installing it, to making your journal look polished using the Modern Portal theme.

You don't need to know how to code. Every step includes images, summary tables, and flow diagrams for easy following. Sections that use commands or code are provided ready to paste, complete with where to paste them.

What Is OJS in Brief?

OJS (Open Journal Systems) is free and open-source software for managing scholarly journals online: receiving manuscripts, managing peer review, editing, publishing, and displaying them on a website. With OJS, the entire journal publishing process is in one system, without exchanging manuscripts via email.

Guide map: four modules from getting to know OJS, preparation, installation, to using the Modern Portal theme.
Guide map: four modules from start to a polished journal.

Who Is It For?

  • Journal managers at universities, faculties, or study programs who want to publish or tidy up a journal.
  • Lecturers, researchers, and students who want to understand how a journal works from the manager's side.
  • Libraries, research institutions, and small publishers who want to publish independently.
  • Communities and organizations that want a journal portal along with educational articles.
  • Beginners who are afraid of clicking the wrong thing or don't understand technical terms like hosting, VPS, database, and cron.

Problems We Solve

  • Not understanding what OJS is and how it differs from a regular website.
  • Confusion about the roles of author, editor, reviewer, and administrator.
  • Not knowing what to prepare before installing OJS.
  • Hesitation in choosing between hosting and a server (VPS).
  • Installation stops midway due to misunderstood error messages.
  • OJS is installed, but the appearance is plain and you don't know how to use a theme.

What You Will Achieve

  • Explain what OJS is, its functions, and its benefits for each audience in your own words.
  • Understand the journal workflow from manuscript submission to publication, and each person's role.
  • Prepare all installation requirements: domain, hosting or server, PHP, database, and HTTPS certificate.
  • Choose hosting or a server with clear reasons, according to needs and budget.
  • Install OJS on hosting (cPanel) and on a server (VPS) step by step.
  • Perform initial configuration after installation and troubleshoot the most common issues.
  • Install and activate the Modern Portal theme, then arrange the homepage using Portal Editor.
  • Publish articles through the Announcements feature, and manage licensing and theme updates.

Guide Contents

Module 1 · Getting to Know OJS 3 lessons · 60 minutes

Understand what OJS is, its functions, and who benefits.

Module 2 · Preparation Before Installation 2 lessons · 45 minutes

Know what is needed and choose where to install OJS.

Module 3 · Installing OJS 3 lessons · 105 minutes

Install OJS on hosting and on a server, then complete initial configuration.

Module 4 · Using the Modern Portal Theme 5 lessons · 110 minutes

Install the theme, create articles, arrange the homepage, and maintain the license.

What You Get

  • 13 progressive lessons totaling about 5 hours, doable one lesson per day.
  • Flow diagrams, layouts, and illustration images in every lesson.
  • Summary tables: terminology, technical requirements, comparisons, and common issues.
  • Ready-to-paste code and commands with where to paste them.
  • Exercises at the end of each lesson.
  • Downloadable files: installation checklist and ready-to-paste command collection.

Guide Author

Author photo
AMI Digital OJS Minimalist Theme AMI Global Mathematics Education - Mas Irfan Cirebon

Designed with a clean and responsive appearance, this theme provides a comfortable navigation experience for readers, researchers, and academics.

Supporting Downloads

Ready-to-Paste Command CollectionTXT · all commands from the guide | Member Login OJS Installation ChecklistTXT · check before and after installation | Member Login

Frequently Asked Questions

I can't code. Can I still do this?

Yes. Most steps are clicks in the hosting panel or OJS dashboard. Sections that use commands are provided ready to paste.

Is OJS paid?

The OJS software is free and open source. Costs you may incur are for a domain and hosting or server, plus a theme if you use a paid theme like Modern Portal.

I only want to use the theme. Do I have to read from the beginning?

If your OJS is already running, you may go directly to Module 4. However, Lessons 2.1 and 3.3 are still useful to ensure the theme's technical requirements are met.

Is the Modern Portal theme compatible with all OJS versions?

This theme is built for OJS 3.5.x. Lesson 4.1 explains the version requirements and how to check your OJS version.

What if the installation fails midway?

Lessons 3.1 and 3.3 contain tables of symptoms, causes, and fixes, plus a printable checklist.

Does this guide guarantee my journal will be indexed or accredited?

No guide can guarantee that. This guide ensures your journal's system and appearance are installed correctly. Indexing and accreditation still depend on manuscript quality and journal management.

Can the lessons be accessed again?

Yes, all lessons can be opened anytime through the lesson list on the side.

Demo of AMI Digital OJS Minimalist Theme

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