Macromedia® Contribute 3

And if you're all thumbs when it comes to knowing aboutwebsite design and upkeep, you're going to especially likethis program.

Made by the same folks who developed the highly capableDreamweaver web design software, Contribute 3 makes it easyto manage your website. First of all it has the familiarlook and feel of Windows environment. You may find yourselfforgetting momentarily that you aren't using WindowsExplorer, since the basic browsing functions work more orless the same way.

When I first discovered Contribute, Macromedia was up toversion 2. The latest version 3 (actually 3.1) Contributeupdate delivers powerful enhancements including StreamlinedFile Publishing, Breeze Server Connectivity, and support forSubsites. This free update is recommended for all Contributeusers. And like most Macromedia products, the company letsyou test drive the software with a free 30 day downloadavailable from its website (see link below).

What makes Contribute 3 especially useful though is the factthat you can make changes to your website (or any websitethat you have permission to change) and publish your changesliterally with a click of your mouse. You first have tocreate a one time only connection by entering theappropriate user name, password and FTP address for thewebsite. After that, anytime you want to make changes topages on the site, you do the following:

1. Click on the connection dialog for that website inContribute 3, which opens the website in the browser. 2.Click on EDIT, which allows you to start making changes. 3.When you're done, click on PUBLISH and Contribute 3 uploadsthe changes to your website.

I can't imagine website management getting much easier thanthat. Speaking as someone who would rather spend time atwhat I'm good at than struggling to understand what is forme an esoteric subject, this is the best software investmentI made all year.

As a copywriter, this program recently proved its value forme on a new website project. I was able to make copy changeswhenever I wanted, even while the web designer was alsochanging graphics and other page design elements on a dailybasis.

Contribute 3 can be configured to allow you full access to awebsite (your own for example) or you can be restricted toediting only certain features or pages. For example, if youjust need to update one section of a company website fromtime to time, your webmaster can set up permissions thatwill let you change only those pages.

While Contribute 3 doesn't let you do everything that morefull featured web authoring programs like Dreamweaver orFrontPage do, it's still highly capable. You can edit pages,create new pages, add images and tables, create links to apage or document, and more.

If you're already a savvy designer comfortable with programslike Dreamweaver, or get by well enough with a text editorand basic FTP skills, you probably don't need Contribute 3.

But if you're anything like me and want a fast, easy way toupdate a website - you're going to love how easy it is tomanage changes using Contribute 3. It's practically a nobrainer.

Macromedia sells Contribute 3 directly from its websitewww.macromedia.com beginning at 79 dollars. However, they'll letyou download and use the full version for 30 days atabsolutely no cost. So why not try it out on their dime andsee what you think? After my trial period was up, Iwillingly plunked down the cash to get my very own copy--andI'm glad I did.