I'm studying print-on-demand as a technology.  I'd like a list of what
the important attributes of this technology are and what other
technologies could be thought of as analogues to these attributes. 
I'm interested in print-on-demand from the publisher's point of view
(publishing houses using it) rather than the author who uses this
method.
For example, one attribute would be that it is IMMEDIATE.  The person
purchasing a book would be able to access it right away, by paying for
it and downloading the copy.  An analogue for this would be MP3 music
files.
The analogues can be old (wider distribution levels can be compared to
the technological advance of the softcover book, for example) or new.
Thanks in advance!

---

Clarification of Question by strikethegold-ga on 21 Mar 2003 18:14 PST

After further research, it seems the most common application of this
technology is on the commercial end (for example, publishers of books
or newspapers printing copies per request instead of in large runs). 
I would still like any comments on individual uses, if someone can
find this information, but the question can be answered pertaining to
commercial use as well.

---

Request for Question Clarification by aceresearcher-ga on 22 Mar 2003 07:24 PST

Greetings, strikethegold!

I have come up with a number of attributes, but am still working on
analogues.

Do analogues need to be related to publishing / electronic
information, or can they be totally unrelated as well?

Thanks,

aceresearcher

---

Clarification of Question by strikethegold-ga on 22 Mar 2003 10:22 PST

Thanks aceresearcher.  The analogues can be totally unrelated.  I'm
just trying to find some ways the evolution of other technologies can
be related to print on demand through their similar attributes; if the
steam engine were applicable, that would be fine.