Adobe aquisition of Macromedia is complete.

[embersyc]

Macromedia shares stopped trading today and macromedia.com has the adobe logo on it now.

Also Adobe is now offering several packages that combine Adobe CS2 with Macromedia products.

My big question is what does this mean for Macromedia products in the long run? I know Flash is safe, although will most likely be altered, but what about Dreamweaver and Fireworks?

Seems the available software to designers could be in for a big shake-up, and with Adobe's main competitor out of the way now, are we all at the mercy of whatever Adobe decides is best for the industry?

Don't get me wrong I love Adobe products, but competition always helps an industry.

[Jimeda Fork]

I just recently upgraded to CS2. Shortly after registering, I got an email requesting me to do a "survey." So I went through it and long story short,
the next CS3 will include:
Photoshop
Imageready
Flash
Dreamweaver
InDesign

[Satchel]

That sounds good to me!
S.

[Eraser Nubbin]

No Illustrator?

[EC]

I had a feeling that was how it was going to shake down. But fine with me, those are the tools I use.

[Jimeda Fork]

No Illustrator?

oopsie. Yes it will include Illustrator.

[EC]

No Illustrator?

Oh. Er... yeah. That could pose a problem. lol

[Thomas51471]

Found this on Nasdaq.com under Abobe News:

"Dec. 5, 2005--Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE (javascript:_NewsTicker('ADBE'))) today announced three new product bundles that combine the design and publishing prowess of Adobe(R) Creative Suite 2 and Adobe video tools with the interactive strength of just-released Macromedia(R) Flash(R) Professional 8 and Macromedia Studio 8 software. Adobe acquired the Macromedia product line when the company purchased Macromedia, a transaction that formally closed on December 3, 2005"

[DeleteYourself]

EN, that's what I was thinking....

[Jimeda Fork]

Gee wiz, leave out one little detail, and the predators jump all over ya!


Anyway I'm resisting - keeping Freehand alive!

[DeleteYourself]

Don't let it happen again, Jimeda. ;)

[morea]

ouch... it's good for those who need flash and dreamweaver, but gonna be darned expensive for those of us that don't.

[embersyc]

Guess there is no point in me bothering to learn Fireworks now.

[ChargerBill]

What about GoLive? I mean, I know that Dreamweaver is more widely used, but GoLive has been part of the last 2 CS packages and I've been using it since 2000 when it wasn't even an Adobe product.

[ChargerBill]

BTW: I am all for a Flash overhaul...it might be nice for it to become a little "Adobified". I've always thought it was less intuitive than it could be...

[cbscreative]

I liked it better when they were competing. I don't mind change, but I hope this is really for the better. As for FreeHand, it does have some nice features, but the last couple versions or so were more for web graphics. I thought it was a good idea for MM to differentiate that way because we did not need another AI. AI is better for print, FreeHand is better for web graphics, and because it is RGB based, FH is no longer intended for print.

I have had problems with Photoshop in the past, especially web graphics, and was able to resolve issues by using Fireworks. FW is different enough from PS to make having the choice a nice option. As for me, I will be holding on to my old tools for a while.

The only thing I don't understand is why with the new merger, they don't rename the joint venture Macrosoft.

[ChargerBill]

The only thing I don't understand is why with the new merger, they don't rename the joint venture
Macrosoft.


I could see MAYBE AdobeMedia, but Macrosoft sounds too much like Microsoft, and Microsoft has nothing to do with this merger. Besides, I guarantee that in the blink of an eye "king" Gates would set his lawyers in motion from his throne up in his tower...he's not exactly a very flexible or aimiable individual.

I worry that the lack of competition might also have the effect of skyrocketing prices...

[tZ]

I just hope they leave the interfaces the same.. if not then close to.

I wouldn't take to well to "re-learning" my way around dreamweaver or flash due to adobes incompitence.

[cbscreative]

I was kidding on Macrosoft LOL.

I agree with the interfaces. I was just starting to like MM with the MX versions. Personally, I think Adobe leaves a lot to be desired in that area, IMO.

[embersyc]

One of the things I have read is that Acrobat Reader and Flash Player will be merged into one plugin.

Curious to see how that is going to work out.

[benjo]

My concern is the competition. Adobe can slack in areas when it’s comfortable. Did anyone notice how Premiere sucked before Apple dropped FCP. Now they dropped Aperture which I read an article and Adobe is praising it which is good but they said that this shows them where they need to grow to fit in with Pro Photographers. The web is so big and represents such a huge market that it bothers me that only one respectable company makes graphic software for it.

Dreamweaver doesn’t really matter anymore either way but it’s nice to have an app that will get you half way there. What needs to be released is a CMS software that works with the latest web standards. I’m going to learn Mambo but is this enough? I would feel very comfortable knowing a stable company was in charge of development of such an application. I need reputable training sources and a name like Adobe can provide that and create a community to support such a software.

[TheBluePanda]

Quite a weird thing to see the Adobe logo on the Macromedia site. I've loved both Macromedia and Adobe since the mid 90's. I can't wait to see how the company evolves.