Hello all,

Can someone please explain the pros and cons (or a link to an existing explanation) of using the Advanced HTML Editor Extension as opposed to Macromedia Contribute to enable clients to update sites? I know, of course, that Contribute requires licenses per machine, while the extension is a one-time purchase. Other than that, why is one better than the other?

Does the HTML Editor extension allow image upoads, or must one have other extensions to enable that? Again, please point me to the answer if I've missed it somewhere.

Thanks,
Sarah

<u><b>Pros of both...</b></u>
<ul><li>work with online content.</li>
<li>can generate new content.</li>
<li>can use CSS.</li>
<li>graphical/visual interfaces.</li>
</ul>

<b>Macromedia Contribute</b> (software by Macromedia)
<u>Pros:</u>
<ul><li>Contribute works with your Dreamweaver Templates that you setup and lock down areas/elements for the content people.</li>
<li>"Simple Three-Step Workflow: Quickly browse to the page that needs updating, edit it, click Publish, and it's done."</li>
<li>Editing content similar to working in Microsoft Word, as they say.</li>
<li>Customization to the UI, allowing to brand and showcase your own tutorials and information.</li>
<li>Integrated image editing (built in Fireworks engine for simple editing).</li>
<li>"Rollbacks: Undo changes to a web page by "rolling back" to a previous version of the page. Contribute keeps up to 99 versions of a web page stored centrally on the web server." (note: not sure if it requires the Web Publishing System by Macromedia)</li>
<li>Setup and use shared assets.</li>
<li>No major browser requirement, so no worrying if they have JavaScript turned on, etc.</li>
<li>FlashPaper </li>
<li>You can charge for Contribute integration on client web applications/sites.</li>
</ul>

<u>Cons:</u>
<ul><li>$99 per machine, needs convincing of client.</li>
<li>Someone <i>has</i> to develop the template(s) first.</li>
<li>Not portable unless on shared laptop.</li>
<li>Downloads multiple (dependant) files to display properly in Contribute client, but this only hurts if on dialup.</li>
<li>Platform requirements: Windows or Mac OSX, and installation required.</li>
</ul>
...more Contribute features at macromedia.com/software/contribute/productinfo/features/

<b>Advanced HTML Editor</b> (extension by DMXzone)
<u>Pros:</u>
<ul><li>No installation required on client end, online interface.</li>
<li>$189 one-time fee, yes this is a <i>pro</i>.</li>
<li>Instant online editing, unless you program a custom review process for content groups.</li>
<li>Charge your clients to make the site CMS (Content Management System) or integrate one, and enhance with Adv. HTML Editor.</li>
<li>Super easy Dreamweaver integration.</li>
</ul>

<u>Cons:</u>
<ul><li>$189 one-time fee.</li>
<li>browser requirements (including JavaScript activated).</li>
</ul>
...more Advanced HTML Editor 2 features at www.dmxzone.com/go?6999

So, both are really good - it's all need/choice. <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> Good luck.

Chris,

Thank you for the reply and the links. I can see where one might be more appropriate in some situations than others, so I'm sure I'll end up with both products. Thanks again,

Sarah

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the great list of pros en cons! Well done explanation!

To enlighten some plans - we are working in secret on a extension that will allow you to automatically edit DW template based pages directly online! All with the Adv HTML Editor. It is now in alpha development so needs some more work - but it is looking great!

So watch out for future annoucements

Greetings,
George


--------------------------------------------------
George Petrov - Founder of the Dynamic Zones
DMXzone.com, FWzone.net, FLzone.net, CFzone.net,
DNzone.com, FlashFocus.nl
--------------------------------------------------

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Thanks for the great list of pros en cons! Well done explanation!<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Thank you <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>To enlighten some plans - we are working in secret on a extension that will allow you to automatically edit DW template based pages directly online! All with the Adv HTML Editor. It is now in alpha development so needs some more work - but it is looking great!<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
That is so AWESOME! <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Charlton

Sr. Developer - www.fingerprintMedia.com