EPrints 3.5

This page contains information about the new version series of EPrints - 3.5.x.

New Features and Improvements

Bootstrap styling by default 

EPrints default appearance was looking quite outdated and using its own styling framework made it difficult to adapt to the requirements of modern website, such as dynamic sizing for use across a spectrum of devices.

XML templating 

Previously many of the pages across EPrints were structured within the codebase making them difficult if not impossible to adapt. XML templating means that if you don't like the structure of the page, you can more easily modify this without affecting its functionality.

PDF-lead deposit 

Rather than entering metadata about your publication and then uploading, let you uploaded PDF document provide the metadata and all you need do is check over it and fill in any gaps. Particularly useful if you have multiple separate publications you need to deposit. Save time by uploading them all at once and then review/amend the metadata at your leisure.

Faceted search by default 

Where previously a simple search using the search bar in EPrints default page template would just give set of results you could page through, faceted search allows you to refine results or facets such as publication year, subjects, divsions, etc.

Search results highlighting 

Before you could not see how a result has matched your search criteria now these matches are highlighted within a context, even those matching the text within uploaded documents.

Removal of Prototype JavaScript 

Previously EPrints relied on the legacy JavaScript library - Prototype. This makes EPrints dynamic page features easier to maintain and develop for your bespoke requirements.

Relationalised Loading 

One of the main features of EPrints is its layering of customisation. For core, to flavours, ingredients and then bespoke configuration/functionality for each archive. It has previously been difficult to understand how these all inter-lock. Therefore, EPrints 3.5 endeavours to provide a consistent load order across all types of functionality/configuration (e.g. core modules, screen/export/import plugins, JavaScript, CSS, citations, workflows, namedsets, configuration settings, etc.).

Replacement of the Bazaar with Ingredients 

EPrints 3.4 first provided "Ingredients" as a new way to add functionality to your repository. Although the Bazaar made it easy to initially install new functionality, its initial simplicity created greater complexity when reconfiguring, maintaining and upgrading plugins installed through the Bazaar. Therefore, the Bazaar will ultimately no longer be available in EPrints 3.5. Many popular plugins have already been ported to ingredients and more will follow.

Wider support of operating systems 

Current instructions require many specific Operating System (OS) packages that may not exist on the OS you use. EPrints 3.5 only requires you to install a minimal number of OS packages with the rest (specifically Perl modules) being installable by a script provided. This has the added benefit of installing Perl modules versions that have been thororoughly tested against associated release of EPrints.