Indeed, if you want to make your mark in the wide, wide Web, you would not need an expensive software package to create and post your very own Website. Even if you don't have money to spare, many HTML editors and FTP clients are available that does not charge much. Some even do not charge at all. With these HTML editors and FTP clients hanging around, what's the use of troubling yourself understanding all the features of web development software packages?

Well, that's the scenario if you are simply dreaming of "having" a Website. But if you are keen on "making" your own mark in the Web, and really interested in authoring it, brand it with your very own style and technique, then you need reliable and useful web development tools.

To help you take your Web authoring to a higher level, we introduce you to Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX and Adobe's GoLive 6. These are web authoring tools that strive to make data movement simple within their own suite of products. These two top notch web development tools also allow Web development team members to swap tasks with one another more easily.

So, let's get to know these new tools.
With Dreamweaver MX, Macromedia again placed new interfaces, as it always has done to its latest products. But, this $399 Web design package (upgrade, $199) gives option to use the old version4 workspace. It is enhanced with more integration unlike previous versions which were separate, disintegrated programs. Thus, it gave way to a suite-ification with panels that now function in the same way as the panels in Flash and in Macromedia's Fireworks image editing program. It has a new look wherein panels are docked instead of floating on the screen to reduce clutter. A new row of tabs along the top of the screen places layout, table, text, form, and other common functions, making it easily accessible.

Dreamweaver MX has Rich CSS Support, Code Editing Support, Cross-Browser Validation, Secure FTP which full encrypt file transfers and prevent unauthorized access to data and files and Built-in Graphic Editors.

Meanwhile, Adobe focuses itself on making the lives of Web development team members easier. Through GoLive version 6, you are allowed to convert artwork from other Adobe Software programs into animation-ready objects while retaining the ability to edit them in their native application. It is really quite a family integration since GoLive version 6 is designed to integrate with other softwares of Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and LiveMotion.

Included in the $399 GoLive 6 (upgrade, $99) package is the WebDAV-based Web Workgroup Server, which facilitates file sharing. Other new features are a view that can show code and layout simultaneously in two windows and full support for Photoshop source files, text, and vector layers.

No doubt about it, these latest packages offered by Macromedia and Adobe are high-quality tools that go well with their other development software. It's integration at its best. -30-



About the Author
Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.

For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints... To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft.