Introduction

When Macromedia Contribute was introduced, both an opportunity and a challenge emerged. True, Contribute converted the Web from a read-only medium to a two-way communication tool and made it easy for almost anyone to publish online. It's also true that Contribute works with any type of static HTML page, regardless of the authoring program used to create it. Web content contributors were suddenly freed from their dependency on Webmasters to make any and all site updatesmuch to their mutual relief.

Before long, however, both camps realized that the break was not such a clean one. Some Web pages could not be edited as completely as contributors needed, whereas elements of other pages were too easy to modify: Layout choices implemented by the Web designers were being overwritten. Moreover, new content brought online by the contributorsincluding pages, images, and linked documentsoften was stored improperly, which complicated site maintenance. Clearly, the workflow needed some work.

All these issues are easily addressable when a site is properly designed in Macromedia Dreamweaver and deployed correctly for Contribute users. By investing a little focused effort during the initial site architecture and page composition, the Web page designer reaps benefits over the life of the site; a Web site properly set up for Contribute simplifies the Webmaster's involvement and minimizes ongoing site maintenance. Additionally, a well-thought-out site makes it easier for Contribute users, who become more productive and get their content online more quickly. The biggest winner, however, is the organization that implements a Contribute-ready site. The organization's information flows more effectively and, perhaps most importantly, some of its most valuable resourcesWeb designers and contributorsspend more of their time performing their primary duties.