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SOFTWARE
Macromedia unveils Studio MX 2004
The Web developer's dream palette reviewed: Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and a bonus: Contribute.
By CNET staff (August 25, 2003)
Dreamweaver MX 2004
Dreamweaver MX 2004 CNET Editor's Choice 
This app remains the leader when it comes to simple design of complex Web sites. 
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Fireworks MX 2004
Fireworks MX 2004 CNET Editor's Choice 
Thanks to awesome tools and integration with other Macromedia apps, Fireworks is still the king. 
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Macromedia Flash MX 2004
Macromedia Flash MX 2004CNET Editor's Choice 
The Web animation standard now requires even less programming; what could be better? 
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Contribute 2.0
bonus Contribute 2.0
While Contribute isn't part of the Studio MX package, every great Web site needs a content manager. 
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Last year, Macromedia wowed us with a high-caliber suite of Web-design, content-management, graphics-creation, and site-building tools called Studio MX. This year, the sub-$1,000 dream package gets a face-lift.

The all-in-one Web design suite bundles Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Macromedia Flash MX 2004 (or a brand-new offering, Flash MX 2004 Professional), FreeHand MX, and ColdFusion MX 6.1 Developer Edition. Of those, only FreeHand MX is not new. Individually, each program costs several hundred dollars, but Studio MX supplies them all for $899 (the product will ship in September).

We've reviewed the big three--Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks--and tossed in a bonus review of Macromedia's updated content-management app, Contribute. Whether you're ready to start your Web development career or improve your existing projects, there's definitely something here for everyone.

Read the full review:
Dreamweaver MX 2004
Fireworks MX 2004
Macromedia Flash MX 2004
Contribute 2.0