Are you MX-perienced?
Although all the MX 2004 applications received a number of specific features and improvements, the unified MX 2004 experience brings new overarching features to the suite. First, you’ll probably notice another new user interface theme spread amongst the suite that translates into refined buttons, panels, and even more colorful icons that attempt to live in harmony with both OS X and Windows XP interfaces. If you’re running the suite on Windows, you get the added benefit of multiple open documents appearing as tabs in both Dreamweaver and Fireworks. When I asked why this isn’t offered on the Mac, a representative stated that OS X doesn’t allow for a multiple-tabbed window. This is a peculiar statement since many modern browsers for the Mac (Safari, Mozilla, Camino) offer tabbed-browsing in one window.
Mac users, by the way, will need to have made the jump to OS X before running Studio MX 2004. All the applications except FreeHand MX require OS X 10.2.6. On the bright side, you can finally share files between your long-file naming Windows co-workers.
The new versions also tout deeper interoperability between the applications. Both Fireworks MX and Flash MX Professional include the Check In/Check Out features found in Dreamweaver MX. Dreamweaver MX now shows parameters of an imported Flash file in the contextual Tag Inspector. What’s more, Flash MX can read in your Dreamweaver MX site definitions. So there is something to be said about using all the products from the same company, just as there is something to be said about using the same brand of shampoo and conditioner, if you buy into that sort of thing.
One other interesting new addition to the mix is product activation. In an attempt to thwart software piracy, Macromedia has started to introduce product activation into their software. The process is painless so there’s no need to worry unless you get your software through unscrupulous channels. When installing, the software essentially imprints itself to your system. Similar to how digital rights management software does for music, such as Apple’s iTunes Music Store. If you decide not to activate your product after installing, the software functions in trial mode for 30 days. If you wish to install the software on another system, you will first have to transfer your license, an option found in the Help menu of every MX application. It’s a well thought-out setup that’s virtually painless and a long time coming. I’m sure some will take issue with this new method of installing and activating software, but if it helps to cut down on piracy and pay the people who make the software, then I’m all for it. Incidentally, other vendors, such as Quark for QuarkXPress 6 and Adobe for Photoshop CS on Windows, are also introducing activation schemes.
Parting Thoughts
Is this rendition of Macromedia MX a must-buy? It’s difficult to say. I’d like to see some of the bugs weeded out of Dreamweaver first before I start recommending it whole-heartedly. Also, the Web-application developer-heavy direction Flash MX is taking will make it less attractive to the designer folks out there, in my opinion. That means Fireworks and FreeHand are key deciding factors if upgrading to the entire suite is worth your while. Therefore, I can only recommend doing so to those for whom the new features are compelling enough.
Those longtime users of Dreamweaver who find the CSS improvements and cross-browser validation essential additions and are willing to trade it for some minor bugs and possible performance issues should certainly go for it. And the advanced Flash users and highly technical application developers out there who are familiar with visual IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) and who are willing to break new ground in what’s possible with rich applications and Flash should buy it. Otherwise, I find the new Studio MX 2004 a mixed bag that should be carefully considered before upgrading. Fortunately, Macromedia provides trial downloads of all the software included in the suite. Let’s hope Macromedia does something about the name and the downsides I mention in the subsequent product release.
Rating: 70 for the suite
This article was last modified on January 18, 2023
This article was first published on October 28, 2003
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