No matter how you slice it, digital content will never replace print. In a world where we buy music & movies online and even virtual land goes for big bucks, a page in the hand is still worth a thousand ebooks. In a pleasant break from the norm, some online businesses are embracing this philosophy. Some print photos for family albums from digital sources, some screenprint garage bands’ t-shirts from uploaded designs… and some print entire books.

Blurb is among this breed of new publisher. Yet, unlike tradional publishers, Blurb doesn’t sign contracts with authors or otherwise chase talent… they open their doors to everyone. By simply downloading a desktop application (for Windows or Mac), prospective authors and artists can follow simple templates and publish a real book, dust jacket and all.

CEO and founder, Eileen Gittins implies that technology is ripe for such advancements. “If I were starting this business five years ago, it would have been daunting… starting this business now, in 2006… we’re able to leverage a lot of technologies that have come before. We’re like the grandchild of desktop publishing.”

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