What is it? A web browser and editor in one. Who needs it?
Anyone who must make frequent updates to a website but
doesn't want to wait around for a webmaster, designer or
other person in charge to make the changes for you.
And if you're all thumbs when it comes to knowing about
website design and upkeep, you're going to especially like
this program.
Made by the same folks who developed the highly capable
Dreamweaver web design software, Contribute 3 makes it easy
to manage your website. First of all it has the familiar
look and feel of Windows environment. You may find yourself
forgetting momentarily that you aren't using Windows
Explorer, since the basic browsing functions work more or
less the same way.
When I first discovered Contribute, Macromedia was up to
version 2. The latest version 3 (actually 3.1) Contribute
update delivers powerful enhancements including Streamlined
File Publishing, Breeze Server Connectivity, and support for
Subsites. This free update is recommended for all Contribute
users. And like most Macromedia products, the company lets
you test drive the software with a free 30 day download
available from its website (see link below).
What makes Contribute 3 especially useful though is the fact
that you can make changes to your website (or any website
that you have permission to change) and publish your changes
literally with a click of your mouse. You first have to
create a one time only connection by entering the
appropriate user name, password and FTP address for the
website. After that, anytime you want to make changes to
pages on the site, you do the following:
1. Click on the connection dialog for that website in
Contribute 3, which opens the website in the browser. 2.
Click on EDIT, which allows you to start making changes. 3.
When you're done, click on PUBLISH and Contribute 3 uploads
the changes to your website.
I can't imagine website management getting much easier than
that. Speaking as someone who would rather spend time at
what I'm good at than struggling to understand what is for
me an esoteric subject, this is the best software investment
I made all year.
As a copywriter, this program recently proved its value for
me on a new website project. I was able to make copy changes
whenever I wanted, even while the web designer was also
changing graphics and other page design elements on a daily
basis.
Contribute 3 can be configured to allow you full access to a
website (your own for example) or you can be restricted to
editing only certain features or pages. For example, if you
just need to update one section of a company website from
time to time, your webmaster can set up permissions that
will let you change only those pages.
While Contribute 3 doesn't let you do everything that more
full featured web authoring programs like Dreamweaver or
FrontPage do, it's still highly capable. You can edit pages,
create new pages, add images and tables, create links to a
page or document, and more.
If you're already a savvy designer comfortable with programs
like Dreamweaver, or get by well enough with a text editor
and basic FTP skills, you probably don't need Contribute 3.
But if you're anything like me and want a fast, easy way to
update a website - you're going to love how easy it is to
manage changes using Contribute 3. It's practically a no
brainer.
Macromedia sells Contribute 3 directly from its website
www.macromedia.com beginning at 79 dollars. However, they'll let
you download and use the full version for 30 days at
absolutely no cost. So why not try it out on their dime and
see what you think? After my trial period was up, I
willingly plunked down the cash to get my very own copyand
I'm glad I did.
About the Author
Copywriter and consultant Vincent Czaplyski is founder
of http://www.impressive-resumes.com, your online source for
professionally written "industrial strength" resumes and
cover letters guaranteed to land you an interview. Contact
him at vincent@impressive-resumes.com.