Those who have used the various kinds of software in the Macromedia family of software often take it for granted. Everyone, from a toddler to a computer programmer, can do a lot with a computer by slipping the Macromedia disk into the CD-ROM drive. Nevertheless, computer programming and Macromedia training are required for those who wish to work with such software.
Macromedia has a wide range of software solutions for various needs. If you’re looking to develop computer software, Adobe ColdFusion is a great option – it functions similarly to Microsoft ASP and PHP. For shortening website design, development, and editing times, Adobe Contribute allows multiple members of the same organization to collaborate on changes to the website, reducing costs associated with hiring a single individual or group.
If you want to do website design but you want to see your results immediately instead of plodding through oceans and oceans of script, Adobe Dreamweaver may be a good choice. It isn’t necessary to have programming skills to use this popular Macromedia family member, but it can help software developers understand what certain scripts do and how they behave on the Internet. For those seeking online learning solutions, Macromedia Authorware is a popular choice.
It is a programming language based on flowcharts, used for designing interactive programs that can be incorporated into multimedia content. Adobe Director is also in demand; it was initially developed to create animations but now acts as a scripting language for creating self-service kiosks and CD-ROMs. In addition, it’s often employed for developing 3D games for the web. The Macromedia family also has its own graphics editor in the person of Adobe Fireworks.
Fireworks is the graphics editor that is designed to integrate with other Macromedia products. The FreeHand graphics package, designed for desktop publishing, also creates vector graphics in two dimensions. Undoubtedly, the most popular family of programs from Macromedia is the combination of Flash and Shockwave. Though originally designed as standalone players, Flash and Shockwave are now heavily integrated.
Flash has become a wildly successful tool for website creators who wish to make vibrant sites with dynamic animation. Despite the visually pleasing quality of Flash, many web developers steer clear in favor of coding and scripts; due to its nature, search engines cannot pick up Flash-made content thus limiting the visibility of the website. Those who are interested in learning Macromedia should also be aware that most of the packages presented fall under the Adobe umbrella.
Moreover, you may need to hone your computer programming skills well enough to be able to run Macromedia applications and use them for your work. The goal of Macromedia is not just to insert something into your CD-ROM drive; it is to use computer programming effectively to serve a wider range of needs.
