MagCloud: magazine self-publishing for the long tail

Kok-Wei Koh; Ehud Chatow

doi:10.1117/12.840572

10 February 2010 MagCloud: magazine self-publishing for the long tail

Kok-Wei Koh, Ehud Chatow

Proceedings Volume 7540, Imaging and Printing in a Web 2.0 World; and Multimedia Content Access: Algorithms and Systems IV; 75400E (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.840572
Event: IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging, 2010, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

In June of 2008, Hewlett-Packard Labs launched MagCloud, a print-on-demand web service for magazine selfpublishing. MagCloud enables anyone to publish their own magazine by simply uploading a PDF file to the site. There are no setup fees, minimum print runs, storage requirements or waste due to unsold magazines. Magazines are only printed when an order is placed, and are shipped directly to the end customer. In the course of building this web service, a number of technological challenges were encountered. In this paper, we will discuss these challenges and the methods used to overcome them. Perhaps the most important decision in enabling the successful launch of MagCloud was the choice to offer a single product. This simplified the PDF validation phase and streamlined the print fulfillment process such that orders can be printed, folded and trimmed in batches, rather than one-by-one. In a sense, MagCloud adopted the Ford Model T approach to manufacturing, where having just a single model with little or no options allows for efficiencies in the production line, enabling a lower product price and opening the market to a much larger customer base. This platform has resulted in a number of new niche publications - the long tail of publishing.

Citation Download Citation

Kok-Wei Koh and Ehud Chatow "MagCloud: magazine self-publishing for the long tail", Proc. SPIE 7540, Imaging and Printing in a Web 2.0 World; and Multimedia Content Access: Algorithms and Systems IV, 75400E (10 February 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.840572

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available