OJS 3.4 brings forth a range of notable enhancements and new features aimed at improving the overall experience for authors, reviewers, and editors.

One key area of improvement is email notifications, where the user interface has been revamped to facilitate easier email sending, starting with editor decisions and discussions. The email templates have also been enhanced to provide more informative and user-friendly messages, with the inclusion of variables for template editing. Additionally, the ability to add CC and BCC recipients to any email has been introduced, along with support for sending emails in the recipient’s language.

Another significant enhancement is the consolidation of DOI management into a single screen, simplifying tracking. Tools for generating, minting, and depositing DOIs in bulk have been added, initially focusing on Crossref depositing and with plans for future support for other agencies like DataCite.

Accessibility has been improved through the rebuilding of the submission wizard with enhanced accessibility features. The workflow has been redesigned to offer configurable and user-friendly options, and a submission preview feature allows authors to review their submissions before completion.

Code maintenance and modernization efforts have been prioritized, with the introduction of namespacing, autoloading, and the adoption of Laravel’s framework for events and job queues. The restructuring of services, DAOs, and query classes, along with the implementation of a documented code style and automatic code formatting to the PSR-12 standard, further ensure stability, performance, and alignment with industry standards. These updates collectively represent a significant leap forward in enhancing the user experience and modernizing the codebase of OJS.

OJS 3.4 brings several significant improvements and new features. Here’s a summary of the key enhancements:

1. Email Notifications:
– Revamped UI for sending emails, starting with editor decisions and discussions.
– Improved email templates, making messages more informative and user-friendly.
– Addition of variables for email template editing.
– Ability to add CC and BCC recipients to any email.
– Support for sending emails in the recipient’s language.

2. DOI Management and Deposits:
– Consolidation of DOI management into one screen for easier tracking.
– Tools to generate, mint, and deposit DOIs in bulk.
– Initial focus on Crossref depositing, with future support for other agencies like DataCite.

3. Accessibility and Submission Wizard:
– Rebuilding the submission wizard with improved accessibility.
– Redesigned workflow with configurable and user-friendly options.
– Preview feature to provide authors with a submission preview before completion.
– Benchmark analysis and UX tests to enhance the submission wizard’s usability.

4. Code Maintenance and Modernization:
– Introduction of namespacing and autoloading.
– Adoption of Laravel’s framework for events and job queues.
– Restructuring services, DAOs, and query classes with type hints and code completion.
– Implementation of a documented code style and automatic code formatting to PSR-12 standard.

These updates represent a significant step forward in improving the user experience for authors, reviewers, and editors while also modernizing the codebase for stability, performance, and alignment with industry standards.