Considering Upgrade from DW4 to Studio MX

I'm about to upgrade from Dreamweaver 4/Fireworks 4 Studio with Homesite to
Studio MX. But I see there are two different versions. One has Flash
Professional and the other has regular Flash 2004.

Normally I like to go for overkill and just have everything under the sun
whether I think I'll use it or not. I don't really like buying software
only to find out there's a little something I want to do that isn't
included in the version I bought. But there's a considerable price
difference here, so I'm thinking of not getting the version with Flash
Professional, at least for now.

I'm not planning on designing websites for Fortune 500 companies. Mostly
I'll be building websites for small business -- people who sell arts and
crafts. Would the regular Studio MX be the way to go? And does that
version include any kind of database interface to set up online E-Commerce
sites all within Dreamweaver and its satellites?

I know I can build sites to suit the above just with Dreamweaver 4, but
it'd be nice to have the latest gizmos and gadgets, in addition to Flash,
which I don't really like because of the load time, but which is really
nice to look at.

Thanks,
Damaeus

I'm about to upgrade from Dreamweaver 4/Fireworks 4 Studio with Homesite to
Studio MX.

BEWARE: if you intend to use your copy of Studio over a network, using say,
Fireworks on one machine and Dreamweaver on another (as required by many
developers) you will be prevented from doing so by Macromedias spyware. This
'security feature' effectively turns the four stand-alone applications you used
to own into a single 'product' that you can't effectively distribute.

I know I can build sites to suit the above just with Dreamweaver 4, but
it'd be nice to have the latest gizmos and gadgets, in addition to Flash,
which I don't really like because of the load time, but which is really
nice to look at.

From what you describe you will be working on there is no reason for you to
upgrade your software. The primary purpose would be to gain access to resources
from third party developers who may be using a more up-to-date version.
Otherwise is it really worth the thousands it might cost just for 'the latest
gadgets'?

As far as features go there are a few minor, mostly cosmetic diferences
between V4, MX and MX2004, but remember it's the underlying HTML, PHP, CSS etc.
that matters, not the App you use to make it. No 'features' in an HTML editor
will make your websites function any better than they do already.

One note on Flash - load time is only an issue if you're not very good at
making Flash. Well-made Flash loads as quickly as anything else if the payer is
installed, or re-direct to HTML if not.

Check your facts before posting EdMX.

BEWARE: if you intend to use your copy of Studio over a network, using
say,
Fireworks on one machine and Dreamweaver on another (as required by many
developers) you will be prevented from doing so by Macromedias spyware.
This
'security feature' effectively turns the four stand-alone applications you
used
to own into a single 'product' that you can't effectively distribute.

While you are close, you have missed the mark. The EULA for DMX2004 allows
you to have the software installed on two workstations.

As far as features go there are a few minor, mostly cosmetic diferences
between V4, MX and MX2004

Where are you hiding? The differences between DW4 and DMX2004 are huge, not
only in UI but also in terms of capabilities. CSS support in DMX2004 is
outstanding. Combined with the other improvements in panel layout, system
management, and server models, it's difficult to see how you could say this.

but remember it's the underlying HTML, PHP, CSS etc.
that matters, not the App you use to make it. No 'features' in an HTML
editor
will make your websites function any better than they do already.

We certainly agree on this.

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Dreamweaver
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
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==================

"EdMX" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

I'm about to upgrade from Dreamweaver 4/Fireworks 4 Studio with Homesite
to
Studio MX.

BEWARE: if you intend to use your copy of Studio over a network, using
say,
Fireworks on one machine and Dreamweaver on another (as required by many
developers) you will be prevented from doing so by Macromedias spyware.
This
'security feature' effectively turns the four stand-alone applications you
used
to own into a single 'product' that you can't effectively distribute.

I know I can build sites to suit the above just with Dreamweaver 4, but
it'd be nice to have the latest gizmos and gadgets, in addition to
Flash,
which I don't really like because of the load time, but which is really
nice to look at.

From what you describe you will be working on there is no reason for you
to
upgrade your software. The primary purpose would be to gain access to
resources
from third party developers who may be using a more up-to-date version.
Otherwise is it really worth the thousands it might cost just for 'the
latest
gadgets'?

As far as features go there are a few minor, mostly cosmetic diferences
between V4, MX and MX2004, but remember it's the underlying HTML, PHP, CSS
etc.
that matters, not the App you use to make it. No 'features' in an HTML
editor
will make your websites function any better than they do already.

One note on Flash - load time is only an issue if you're not very good at
making Flash. Well-made Flash loads as quickly as anything else if the
payer is
installed, or re-direct to HTML if not.

In news:macromedia.dreamweaver, "EdMX" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com>
posted on Wed, 4 Aug 2004 11:30:45 +0000 (UTC):

As far as features go there are a few minor, mostly cosmetic diferences
between V4, MX and MX2004, but remember it's the underlying HTML, PHP, CSS etc.
that matters, not the App you use to make it. No 'features' in an HTML editor
will make your websites function any better than they do already.

No, but the improved user interface would be nice.

One note on Flash - load time is only an issue if you're not very good at
making Flash. Well-made Flash loads as quickly as anything else if the payer is
installed, or re-direct to HTML if not.

I do love the way Flash looks and performs. I guess I'll just get the Pro
version. I'm about to start freelancing pages and who knows what a client
might ask for. I'd feel more comfortable being fully prepared. I have no
version of Flash now. My only experience with it is within Fireworks 4's
limited capabilities.

Damaeus