Macromedia Contribute 2 - site updating for the rest of us

— Published March 1st, 2004  |  by David Moore

Last year we favourably reviewed [ADD LINK TO OLD ARTICLE] Contribute, Macromedia's stripped-down HTML editor aimed at allowing ordinary users to update their site. Now with version 2.0 released, we thought it was time to take a second look.

The idea behind the product is a compelling one - once most sites have been built, most changes are relatively minor: modifying existing text, or adding new pages based on existing templates.

One solution to this problem is to use a database-driven content management system with a web-based back end, but for sites without such as system, Contrbute could play a useful role.

We regularly see sites built by developers that are very difficult to update - in one extreme case, it was impossible to add new pages without contacting the developers, who had gone out of business.

Contribute 2.0 (now available for Macs as well as PC) makes it easy for non-technical users to update most sites without any knowledge of HTML, and without any fears of doing permanent damage.

Powerful security provisions mean the IT department can control access to different parts of the site, and ensure that a lost laptop doesn't mean an unscheduled redesign of the whole site.

Rollback features make it easy to return to the last approved version, and especially if the site is built using Dreamweaver templates, the IT folks should feel comfortable enough devolving some control.

One interesting new feature is the inclusion of FlashPaper - essentially a printer driver that can turn any document into a Flash file for uploading to a site. This is appealing because it allows anyone to read your AutoCAD files, for example, but the files produced don't include some of the higher-end functions of Adobe Acrobat files, such as text selection and encryption (and the Mac version of Contribute doesn't currently offer FlashPaper).

One other addition is a Wizard that can allow easy web commerce through PayPal - an attractive option for some small businesses, perhaps.

While fully integrated with other Macromedia products, Contribute might have more problems working with pages that include elements from other environments such as the Movable Type blogging package.

Version 2.0 offers incremental improvements over version 1, and its availability for the Macintosh platform is welcome. It is very simple to use and administer, and for many organisations could free them from overburdening their own IT department or web team with minor updates, or being left in limbo by disappearing developers.

Contribute 2 reviews:

• Pocket Lint: http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/review.php?reviewId=89
• IT enquirer: http://www.it-enquirer.com/publishing/web-development/contribute2.html
• Webmonkey: http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/03/26/index4a.html?tw=authoring
• Creative Pro: http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/20297.html