This paper will focus on academic publishing in the open source era. The use of Open Source Software (OSS) by journal editors is changing the type of knowledge produced. This may create a new community of content producers and publishers. Many article writers are prevented from participating in traditional print publications for a number of reasons. Some publishers do not have the capital to sustain their journal in print, or even in a "traditional" digital format. The availability of OSS will make it possible to cater to a range of academic goals and produce adequate electronic journals. This paper will discuss the development of academic publishing and examine the necessary specifications for developing and maintaining peer-reviewed electronic journals.