Print on demand magazines?

I don’t know about you….but even as much time as I spend online, I love reading magazines. I like the way they feel, that I can rip out an article or dog ear a page. I’d think that my age was showing except for the magazine rack at Barnes and Noble. Every time I look, it gets bigger.

MagCloud, a new self-publishing magazine service from HP Labs, is bringing the ability to be a magazine creator to all of us. Now, anyone who can create a PDF can publish a magazine.

How does it work? Users can upload a PDF of their magazine for free, creating their own profit margins by calculating the difference between their cover price and MagCloud’s charge of 20 cents per page, plus shipping.

The concept builds on the success of companies that offer a simple, online method for consumers to self-publish books (like Blurb or Lulu) and on the understanding that members of Generation C are eager to share their creative output, and expect to be paid for their efforts.

No matter what the author’s "status" in terms of credentials or experience, MagCloud provides them with a no-risk business and communication opportunity, and the ability to tap into infinite niche audiences that will find their content relevant and worth paying for.

While the site is in beta, publisher accounts are by invitation only. Shipping is currently restricted to the US, but they’re working hard to open up its service to Europe and then the rest of the world.

What do you think? Could you/would you be a magazine publisher?