The OpenShift Online Archivist project is a fully functional, open-source, and self-hosted solution for creating and managing digital archives. It’s designed to provide a robust and scalable platform for organizations to preserve and access valuable documents, images, and other digital assets. The core of the project revolves around a PostgreSQL database, a Node.js-based API, and a React-based user interface, all orchestrated within an OpenShift environment – hence the name. This modular design allows for flexibility and ease of deployment, particularly for teams already familiar with the OpenShift ecosystem.

The project’s primary goal is to offer a user-friendly interface for archivists and users alike. Archivists can upload, categorize, and manage digital assets, assigning metadata like descriptions, keywords, and rights information. The system supports various file formats, including PDFs, images, and documents, and provides robust search capabilities based on this metadata. Users can then browse and search these assets, accessing them through a web browser. Crucially, the Online Archivist emphasizes long-term preservation, incorporating features like versioning and migration support to ensure assets remain accessible even as technology evolves.

Key components of the Online Archivist include a RESTful API built with Node.js and Express, responsible for handling all requests and interactions with the database. This API manages the core functionality of the system, including user authentication, asset management, search operations, and metadata updates. The React-based front-end provides the user interface, allowing users to interact with the system and view assets. The PostgreSQL database serves as the persistent storage for all assets and metadata, ensuring data integrity and reliability. The project utilizes OpenShift’s features like deployments, services, and routes to manage the application and expose it to the internet.

Beyond the core components, the Online Archivist incorporates several important features. Versioning is implemented to track changes to assets, allowing users to revert to previous versions if needed. Migration support is included to facilitate transitioning to new database versions or technologies in the future. The system also offers user roles and permissions, controlling access to assets and functionalities. The project actively utilizes Docker containers for consistent deployment and packaging, simplifying the setup process. The Online Archivist is designed to be highly configurable, allowing organizations to tailor it to their specific needs. The project’s documentation is comprehensive, providing detailed instructions for installation, configuration, and usage. It’s a valuable resource for organizations seeking a self-hosted, scalable, and maintainable solution for managing their digital archives, leveraging the power and flexibility of OpenShift.