CSE HTML Validator Professional
AI Internet Solutions
Hurst, TX
(520) 569-2796
www.htmlvalidator.com

CorelDRAW 10 Graphics Suite
Corel Corp.
Ottawa, Canada
(800) 772-6735
www.corel.com

Macromedia Dreamweaver Platform
FlashT 5 Generator T Studio
Macromedia
San Francisco, CA
(800) 209-7186
www.macromedia.com

Create Together
Bytes of Learning
Burnaby BC, Canada
(800) 465-6497
www.bytesoflearning.com

FrontPage 10
Microsoft Corp.
Redman, WA
(425) 703-4525
www.microsoft.com

Whether for educational intent, business aims, or personal purposes, it currently seems as if everyone is going online. New and improved software programs feature tools that allow users to create professional looking documents, images and Web pages. Educators who are often less experienced in performing digital tasks, such as designing a Web site, are now able to complete these electronic endeavors, thanks to user-friendly programs. This month's Focus On summarizes a few of the handy new and updated versions of Web and desktop authoring software that are helping make educational instruction outside of the classroom possible.

Working collaboratively remains an ideal environment for accomplishing tasks. When undertaking the task of Web authoring, relying on a program that encompasses all tasks, such as programming and design, makes the creation of a Web site seem less daunting. Adobe GoLive 5.0 combines an intuitive visual design environment with programming capabilities that enable designers and coders to work together. Tightly integrated with other Adobe products such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Live Motion, Adobe GoLive 5.0 software protects code from modification and corruption while offering site layout and management functionality.

The program includes numerous innovations and over 100 new features, including 360Code, which enables complete control over any Web source code. The integration of GoLive with other Adobe programs streamlines Web workflow with native support of .psd, .ai and .liv files, while the utilization of the Adobe Photoshop imaging engine within GoLive makes files Web-ready. In addition, new collaborations with companies such as Nokia and Razorfish have enabled GoLive 5.0 developers to deliver Web information to wireless Web customers. Extensions to GoLive 5.0 occur in two leading wireless formats, including Wireless Markup Language and i-mode.

Students and instructors can design their own Web pages by concentrating on content and communication skills, rather than focusing on the technical details of HTML or Java programming, with Knowledge Adventure's updated Web site creation tool, SiteCentral 1.0. The program allows students to create Web pages without relying on any other programs and without ever leaving the SiteCentral environment. It comes on a hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM with a significant upgrade for the Windows platform, and now includes the International CorrectSpell spelling correction system. This system incorporates multilingual spelling verification.

Version 1.0 offers a range of improved features for Windows users to make Web page design easier and faster, including more onscreen space for design, improved import filters for sound and animated GIF files, and advanced Hyperlink editing. Usage is made even simpler with the drag and drop feature. Users simply drag elements and special effects and drop them into a desired space. A new Java Applet tool makes it easy for students and teachers to incorporate numerous special effects and capabilities such as images, music and sound, slide shows and search engines into their sites. The program's media library provides access to a large array of graphics, sounds and animated GIFs.

A revamped FTP client allows for easy uploading and updating of Web site files on the host server. The program provides a consistent display of pages between Macintosh and Windows, and Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer. SiteCentral also offers direct support for publishing HyperStudio stacks to the Internet.

When publishing documents over the Internet, one cause for concern is security. With Novell's Web publishing software, Net Publisher 2.0, schools can safely access and share items over the Web. Featuring Microsoft Windows 2000 support, a revamped user interface and simplified document sharing, Novell Net Publisher 2.0 makes it possible for users and administrators to have highly secure, manageable access to Web documents using any standard Web browser, anywhere in the world. By reaching across Intranets, extranets and the Internet, Net Publisher provides a link for those who wish to use the Internet as a primary channel for communication.

The program makes Web publishing as easy as storing and updating documents in a folder on a local or network drive, and it can be accessed using any Web browser. Users do not need to have knowledge of HTML or other specialized languages; they simply compose documents in their favorite applications, such as Microsoft Office 2000, and quickly post them on the Web. Further, Net Publisher augments the Web publishing capabilities of Office 2000 with features such as enhanced security, full-text searching and automated document approval routing.

Version 2.0's specific enhancements include ease of use, ease of access to shared documents, cross-platform support and customizable features. Net Publisher is designed to run on today's heterogeneous networks, and it supports Windows 2000, as well as NetWare and Windows NT. The program's renovated user interface makes the application easier to navigate, thus reducing the costs involved in training users. Through a fully-documented Application Programming Interface, users can develop customizable features to address specific eBusiness needs. In addition, by simply adding names to a user list, authors may assign selectively defined access, such as read-only access or read-and-edit access, to important documents.

AI Internet Solutions has released version 4.50 of CSE HTML Validator Professional, development software for the creation of syntactically correct HTML documents. The software identifies syntax errors within HTML, saving Web site builders time and effort. Easy to use and highly configurable, the program helps to ensure the creation of professional Web sites. Among the program's new features are an integrated Web browser to let users validate pages as they're viewed, an upgraded Batch Wizard to validate the links of an entire site through a single URL, improved syntax checking, an improved interface, and automatic link checking whenever a document is validated.

The program is compatible with Windows 95+ and Windows NT Version 4.0+. It comes pre-configured with HTML 2.0, HTML 3.2, HTML 4.0, HTML 4.01, XHTML, Netscape Extension tags, Microsoft Internet Explorer tags, Cold Fusion CFML, SMIL, RealText, WebTV, WML, frame, table tags and more. The program also has tools to convert text files from and to UNIX, Mac and MS-DOS.

CorelDRAW 10 Graphics Suite is a graphics tool that offers designers vector animation, page layout, Web publishing, bitmap editing and Web animation, all in one package. Innovative vector and bitmap effects combine with high-end output features and advanced Web capabilities in an intuitive interface. A variety of image-enhancing filters improve the quality of scanned images. Corel PHOTO-PAINT also provides a fully customizable UI (user interface), enhanced text tools, powerful mask capabilities, and plentiful options for workspace customization. The tool set supports advanced emerging technologies such as SVG and PDF/X, and its Image Optimizer works for GIF, JPEG and PNG formats.

In addition, the software includes Corel R.A.V.E. (Real Animated Vector Effects), which provides vector-animation technology for creating Macromedia Flash SWF animation. This product lets users take pre-made artwork from CorelDRAW files to create animations, or create animations from their own digital art. Hundreds of other effects and features are also provided.

An upgrade in the Macromedia Dreamweaver Platform features new versions of Macromedia Dreamweaver 4, Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 and Fireworks 4. This advance provides Web developers, designers and application builders with an integrated content authoring platform that accelerates individual and team productivity in developing Web content and data-driven applications. Dreamweaver 4 and Fireworks 4 unify code authoring, layout and graphics creation. Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 enables rapid Web application development using industry-standard application servers. The UltraDev 4 and Fireworks 4 studio provide application builders with powerful graphics capabilities. Roundtrip Graphic Editing enables a smooth interchange of graphics and code within the applications and between team members. XML-based design notes further enhance team workflow, new asset management, new support for content management standards, and tight integration with version control solutions.

The three new applications enable efficient authoring at every step of the developing process. All products feature the Macromedia User Interface, which reduces learning time. To further help ease development for both emerging and experienced Web developers, both Drewamweaver 4 and Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 include integrated online code reference from O'Reilly and Associates, which allows novices to learn the basics, and gives professionals an easy way to look up code examples and standards.

Also new from Macromedia is FlashT 5 GeneratorT Studio, a solution for designing and automating high-impact Web sites. The studio combines the unique authoring capabilities of Macromedia Flash 5 with the content delivery power of Macromedia Generator 2 Developer Edition. By separating design from content, the studio increases productivity and reduces maintenance time and costs.

Macromedia Generator includes a drag-and-drop feature for placing objects within the Flash 5 design environment and linking them to data sources. New program features include robust scripting, a more approachable authoring environment and reusable Smart Clips, which turn navigational elements into components.

Designed for a wide range of users, Bytes of Learning's Create Together is a new multimedia authoring program. A scalable tool that evolves as the user becomes more comfortable, Create Together offers a combination of templates and wizards that guide the user through the basic steps of each new process. However, once users are ready to advance into the next stage of computer literacy, they can access tool pallets for any modifications or enhancements they choose. Tools are grouped in sets that can be displayed or hidden as needed.

With a single action, it is possible to publish complex multimedia games to the Internet, or to transform text to HTML for browsing. Create Together's royalty-free browser plug-in uses sophisticated packet technology that results in smooth streaming over the Web, even when projects are hyperlinked. Project elements can be disbursed throughout a network or Internet community and reintegrated at a future point in time, making it possible for students in remote locations to cooperate on joint projects. Currently, a Windows 95/98/2000/NT version of the program is available; a Macintosh version will be released later in the academic year.

Microsoft Corp. has unveiled the next version of the Microsoft FrontPage Web site creation and management tool, titled FrontPage 10. Allowing users to create and manage all types of Web sites, FrontPage 10 provides powerful new site-creation capabilities and control and management innovations. The program includes new graphic and content tools that make it easy to import and display photos and other information in a professional-looking format, and new usage analysis reports that allow users to control and mange their site with confidence.

FrontPage 10 also provides users with the ability to add, edit and customize SharePoint-based Web sites. SharePoint is a team Web site solution that enables groups to collaborate, share documents, and communicate with one another. The program also features a Photo Gallery, Automatic Web Content, which lets users insert data from other Web sites, Web Development Support, which includes advanced HTML editing features, and Top 10 Lists, a feature that allows users to insert top 10 lists that link to popular pages.

X@XOpenTag000Contact InformationX@XCloseTag000

GoLive 5.0
Adobe Systems, Inc.
San Jose, CA
(800) 833-6687
www.adobe.com

SiteCentral 1.0
Knowledge Adventure
Torrance, CA
(800) 545-7677
www.sitecentral.com

Net Publisher 2.0
Novell, Inc.
Salt Lake City, UT
(888) 321-4272