Adobe needs Dreamweaver. GoLive is a very buggy and unstable problem application. I like the rest of the applications and hope they can add some Freehand features into Illustrator. I like most all of Macromedia's applications but don't mind seeing Freehand and Fireworks disappear. Dreamweaver on the other hand is far superior to GoLive. Golive has go to go away in favor of Dreamweaver.
Why this is a good thing:
1. Integration of products for improved workflows
2. Adobe now owns a middleware app (ColdFusion) - better server tools to come!
3. PDF and SWF together
4. Cell phone application dev tools (Flash Platform)
5. Thin client operating system built on ActionScript 3. See you later Microsoft... hello Web 2.0.
You mentioned 3 major product lines. So why not move away from the old names and come up with something new that shows that. VidWebDesign, or some such moniker. :) --Kort Kramer
Submitted by KKramer996 on Thu, 12/08/2005 - 09:54.
I realize that it would be silly to keep duplicate programs, but I hope that they combine the best of each program into one program that would make all users happy. I know myself, I prefer Illustrator, but there was one thing in a logo that I did, that I ended up HAVING to export the logo from Freehand. I needed the logo to be an EPS and to be importable by Microsoft Word 2000 AND 2003. I couldn't do that from Illustrator. I could export it, but when it was imported and printed, my curved lines were all faceted. I tried every export option there was and came up short everytime. Freehand is the only thing that worked. So, I hope that they get that worked out....I know it's likely a stupid Word thing, but still......
Speaking of Microsoft, that is my MAIN FEAR. I have always like Adobe programs and as a company, but I sure hope that they don't become another Microsoft. I know they want to compete with them, but please Adobe....don't become like them!!!!
I think Adobe 'side' will manage print section, and Macromedia 'side' will handle web based part. But quality growth only by any giant oppossers...hope to raise any opposers...
As a freelancer whose income is based 75 percent on web development projects I rely heavily on Illustrator (in combination with Photoshop/ImageReady), Dreamweaver, and Flash. Contribute is a nice tool also.
Fireworks & Freehand I could live without. They're good products, but I raely use them as I'm infinitely more comfortable with Adobe when working with graphics.
This merger could be a really great thing, I started out doing graphic design, working with Photoshop and Illustrator, both of which I still love to this day. Then I moved to doing web design and development using Dreamwever and Fireworks, with some flash. I tried GoLive and Image Ready, I even tried LiveMotion as well (had really high hopes for that one :-)). But the macromedia products are just so much better for the Web. So here is what I think should happen.
Drop GoLive for Dreamweaver – it's got more market share and its just plain better.
Drop Image Ready for Fireworks – No one I know likes ImageReady and Fireworks is the best out there for web images.
Drop Freehand for Illustrator – it's got more market share and its better too.
Have to keep Flash, Cold Fusion, Photoshop and Acrobat as is with out a doubt.
The rest of the Adobe and Macromedia products I don't use so I have no opinion.
From the beginning, my fear is that Golive will get the nod -- wrongly in my view -- over Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is too good to go away, please save it!
Submitted by Ron Payne on Wed, 10/19/2005 - 02:16.
I am throwing practicality out the window in hopes that we don't see a program immediately canned. I want to see the applications directed toward a "designer" side or a "developer" side. A software smorgasbord, if you will, where we can dine on those apps that fulfill us, not just what was decided as a "keeper." My world here is a bit small, but those I know in IT like DreamWeaver, while many artists/designers like GoLive. I am designer, but GoLive is chewing up my CSS id and class tags so bad that I see the value in DreamWeaver. Offer all-give us the smorgasbord!
Submitted by fontenots on Wed, 10/19/2005 - 04:16.
I think that for print, Adobe is way better than anything Macromedia had (Freehand lost it's edge after Version 8) or Quark (they just don't get it do they)? As for web programs, Macromedia reigns supreme. Adobe's GoLive isn't even close to Dreamweaver, and who even bought Adobe's LiveMotion? I agree that there is a potential danger that Adobe may turn into what Quark is now (alienated, ignored & very, very ignorant on what they need to do)...
There was no intent to be rude. It is simply silly that one would want their wishes to be distilled by a third party before being submitted to the ultimate destination. Not all graphic professionals are Catholic.
Submitted by jamesoblak on Thu, 10/20/2005 - 10:03.
Only having to learn one suite or two seems very seductive. Can you ask them to slow down on the upgrades? My brain hurts almost as much as my pocketbook.
No need to be rude, jamesoblak. While it's true that Adobe.com (and Macromedia.com) give you ways to communicate with the companies, I'm offering an additional way -- and a way that will present a group of voices at once.
The employees I have in mind are the applications' product managers and public relations managers.
First, any mega-corp is going to try to make as much profit as possible. That's their job. Without increases in profit, there is no meaningful product imptovement.
Second, If the assumption is that they will blend the product lines, then we must all express out opinions in as many ways as possible including to the companies directly and through this opportunity.
So here goes:
Freehand v. Illustrator:
Freehand, but with dual workstyle options and full Illustrator/Freehand file compatibility.
GoLive v. Dreamweaver:
Dreamweaver hands down. There should be a "GoLive" site importer with full code translation.
In addition to the non-competing programs, "Must Keeps" include
Flash, InDesign, Fireworks, FrameMaker.
The host of "Server and Workflow" products should be merged and cross program compatible.
Adobe needs Dreamweaver...GoLive has got to go.
Adobe needs Dreamweaver. GoLive is a very buggy and unstable problem application. I like the rest of the applications and hope they can add some Freehand features into Illustrator. I like most all of Macromedia's applications but don't mind seeing Freehand and Fireworks disappear. Dreamweaver on the other hand is far superior to GoLive. Golive has go to go away in favor of Dreamweaver.
It's all good...
Why this is a good thing:
1. Integration of products for improved workflows
2. Adobe now owns a middleware app (ColdFusion) - better server tools to come!
3. PDF and SWF together
4. Cell phone application dev tools (Flash Platform)
5. Thin client operating system built on ActionScript 3. See you later Microsoft... hello Web 2.0.
New name
You mentioned 3 major product lines. So why not move away from the old names and come up with something new that shows that. VidWebDesign, or some such moniker. :) --Kort Kramer
Hoping they don't become another Microsoft
I realize that it would be silly to keep duplicate programs, but I hope that they combine the best of each program into one program that would make all users happy. I know myself, I prefer Illustrator, but there was one thing in a logo that I did, that I ended up HAVING to export the logo from Freehand. I needed the logo to be an EPS and to be importable by Microsoft Word 2000 AND 2003. I couldn't do that from Illustrator. I could export it, but when it was imported and printed, my curved lines were all faceted. I tried every export option there was and came up short everytime. Freehand is the only thing that worked. So, I hope that they get that worked out....I know it's likely a stupid Word thing, but still......
Speaking of Microsoft, that is my MAIN FEAR. I have always like Adobe programs and as a company, but I sure hope that they don't become another Microsoft. I know they want to compete with them, but please Adobe....don't become like them!!!!
Hope to positive
I think Adobe 'side' will manage print section, and Macromedia 'side' will handle web based part. But quality growth only by any giant oppossers...hope to raise any opposers...
Adobe/Macromedia
1) Dropping one of any competing software prgrams is o.k. as long as users are offered a free trans-grade
2) More designer orientated rather than geek orientated web design package desprately needed
Must Haves
As a freelancer whose income is based 75 percent on web development projects I rely heavily on Illustrator (in combination with Photoshop/ImageReady), Dreamweaver, and Flash. Contribute is a nice tool also.
Fireworks & Freehand I could live without. They're good products, but I raely use them as I'm infinitely more comfortable with Adobe when working with graphics.
This could be good, really good
This merger could be a really great thing, I started out doing graphic design, working with Photoshop and Illustrator, both of which I still love to this day. Then I moved to doing web design and development using Dreamwever and Fireworks, with some flash. I tried GoLive and Image Ready, I even tried LiveMotion as well (had really high hopes for that one :-)). But the macromedia products are just so much better for the Web. So here is what I think should happen.
Drop GoLive for Dreamweaver – it's got more market share and its just plain better.
Drop Image Ready for Fireworks – No one I know likes ImageReady and Fireworks is the best out there for web images.
Drop Freehand for Illustrator – it's got more market share and its better too.
Have to keep Flash, Cold Fusion, Photoshop and Acrobat as is with out a doubt.
The rest of the Adobe and Macromedia products I don't use so I have no opinion.
Thanks for Listening!!!
Michael Noga.
Vote for freehand!
Vote for freehand, freehand, freehand!
Illustrator
Illustrator would be my choise....
Save Dreamweaver
From the beginning, my fear is that Golive will get the nod -- wrongly in my view -- over Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is too good to go away, please save it!
Prices
I see prices going up and quality going down.
suite options
I am throwing practicality out the window in hopes that we don't see a program immediately canned. I want to see the applications directed toward a "designer" side or a "developer" side. A software smorgasbord, if you will, where we can dine on those apps that fulfill us, not just what was decided as a "keeper." My world here is a bit small, but those I know in IT like DreamWeaver, while many artists/designers like GoLive. I am designer, but GoLive is chewing up my CSS id and class tags so bad that I see the value in DreamWeaver. Offer all-give us the smorgasbord!
Agree... within reason.
I think that for print, Adobe is way better than anything Macromedia had (Freehand lost it's edge after Version 8) or Quark (they just don't get it do they)? As for web programs, Macromedia reigns supreme. Adobe's GoLive isn't even close to Dreamweaver, and who even bought Adobe's LiveMotion? I agree that there is a potential danger that Adobe may turn into what Quark is now (alienated, ignored & very, very ignorant on what they need to do)...
I'm only calling as it is presented
TStone wrote: "No need to be rude..."
There was no intent to be rude. It is simply silly that one would want their wishes to be distilled by a third party before being submitted to the ultimate destination. Not all graphic professionals are Catholic.
Adobramedia
Only having to learn one suite or two seems very seductive. Can you ask them to slow down on the upgrades? My brain hurts almost as much as my pocketbook.
Freehand Must Live!
As a designer the choice is plain and simple. Out of all the Macromedia products I use and value the most...number one is Freehand.
Yes, I'll make sure your voice is heard
No need to be rude, jamesoblak. While it's true that Adobe.com (and Macromedia.com) give you ways to communicate with the companies, I'm offering an additional way -- and a way that will present a group of voices at once.
The employees I have in mind are the applications' product managers and public relations managers.
Not much here to agree or disagree with.
First, any mega-corp is going to try to make as much profit as possible. That's their job. Without increases in profit, there is no meaningful product imptovement.
Second, If the assumption is that they will blend the product lines, then we must all express out opinions in as many ways as possible including to the companies directly and through this opportunity.
So here goes:
Freehand v. Illustrator:
Freehand, but with dual workstyle options and full Illustrator/Freehand file compatibility.
GoLive v. Dreamweaver:
Dreamweaver hands down. There should be a "GoLive" site importer with full code translation.
In addition to the non-competing programs, "Must Keeps" include
Flash, InDesign, Fireworks, FrameMaker.
The host of "Server and Workflow" products should be merged and cross program compatible.
You'll present them directly to high-ranking Adobe/Macromedia em
This is about as useful as donating to the Red Cross through Clear Channel's stormaid.com site.
Who are these high-ranking employees?
Adobe.com offers plenty of contact options to voice concerns.