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Macromedia Studio 8 - An Overview

Introducing Studio 8

Dreamweaver 8 and Contribute 3
Most web professionals would prefer to focus on site design and development and to empower other users to make simple content updates. By providing Contribute to content contributors, Dreamweaver developers can offload simple page maintenance tasks to the users who request them while still retaining control over their site designs and permissions. Contribute uses a simple browse/edit/publish methodology with built-in review and approval features that even the least sophisticated of users can master. Developers can limit access to specific pages, and even control which sections of a page or content are editable. As a result, site security and design are never compromised. Top integration features include:

  • Common code base keeps Dreamweaver and Contribute users in synch - Dreamweaver and Contribute are based on the same HTML editing engine and share page locking and file rollback versioning systems. Dreamweaver 8 provides administrative controls for most Contribute-enabled websites.
  • Integrated administrative control designed for ultimate management - Web site administrators can segregate publishing roles for named users and groups, assigning access to different sections of the website and defining what changes can be made. With shared assets, common design elements and Dreamweaver library Items can be centrally managed to safely empower business users. Administrators can also control file naming conventions, the location of new dependent files, the size and quality of images, and the number of page versions available for roll-back. Every Dreamweaver and Contribute action can be logged with optional server-based Contribute Publishing Services.
  • Maintain website integrity - Content created in Contribute matches the look and feel of site thanks to integrated support for Dreamweaver templates and advanced CSS support. Contribute 3 ensures design standards are met, functionality is maintained, and code is protected. Dreamweaver users can control the access Contribute users have to file, so all scripts and server code can be locked-out when pages are edited, and Contribute leaves existing code in pristine condition without unnecessary modifications. Content is cross-browser compatible, and is easily made Section 508 compliant for accessibility.
  • Review and approval - Dreamweaver users can now control who can edit and who can publish - thanks to a flexible approval system that does not require pre-defined workflows. Contribute 3 enables users to send web content to others for review and collaboration before publishing it live on the web. The approval system includes a draft console within Contribute that summarizes work in progress, including the status of drafts and reviews.
  • Rich extensibility layer - Dreamweaver 8 and Contribute 3 provide a common, robust extensibility layer to meet the needs of any organization. The JavaScript and XML client extensibility layer allows extensive user interface customization - deployable using new, configurable installer technology. Because Dreamweaver and Contribute are written on the same code engine, extensions developed for one product are easily customized to work with both.
Studio 8 System Requirements

Windows Macintosh
800 MHz Intel Pentium III processor (or equivalent) and later Windows 2000 600 MHz PowerPC G3 and later
Windows XP 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommended to run more than one Studio 8 product simultaneously) Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4
1024 x 768, 16-bit display (32-bit recommended) 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommended to run more than one Studio 8 product simultaneously)
2 GB of available disk space 1024 x 768, thousands of colors display (millions of colors recommended)
  2 GB of available disk space

Conclusion
I am not easily "wowed"... but this package did it. If you thought the jump from MX to MX 2004 was a major leap, Studio 8 multiplies that by 10. Welcome to the future of web design.

More Stories By Charles E. Brown

Charles E. Brown is the former editor-in-chief of MX Developer's Journal. He is the author of Fireworks MX from Zero to Hero and Beginning Dreamweaver MX. He also contributed to The Macromedia Studio MX Bible. Charles is a senior trainer for FMC on the MX product family.

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