OpenScholar installation

OpenScholar has many great features for which I'm looking. However, after days and days of trying I've been unable to get OpenScholar to install. I've read all the documentation I can find and followed the instructions as best I could but have still not been successful. I've tried with both Acquia Dev Desktop and online at my hosting account. And, while Drupal installs successfully, OpenScholar doesn't.
I think I must be missing something crucial.
I would appreciate any help. I am a neophite with all this... so please make it plain and simple. Thanks.

Franji