Macromedia updates e-learning tools (fwd)

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Tuesday, June 03, 2003
FROM CNET NEWS.COM
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/cnet/stories/1011757.htm

Macromedia updates e-learning tools
The software maker plans to announce on Monday a new version of
Authorware, its application for creating computer-based learning
programs.

Software maker Macromedia plans to announce on Monday an update to
Authorware, its collection of tools for creating computer-delivered
educational content.

Authorware is one of Macromedia's oldest product lines, initially used
to produce educational CD-ROMs for corporate and academic settings and
later expanded to include extensive support for online delivery. The
software lets designers combine text, images, video and applications
into an interactive learning experience.

The new version, 7, includes a number of enhancements intended to
streamline the process of putting together such presentations, most
notably the ability to import files created in Microsoft's PowerPoint
software. Many professional e-learning modules begin as PowerPoint
slides created by co-workers, said Miriam Geller, product manager for
Macromedia.

"There's a lot of customers who have told us they have content from
PowerPoint they'd like to reuse," Geller said. "We want to make the
application easier for people to get going with."

Macromedia earlier this year introduced a new line of Breeze products
for business workers who need to create basic educational presentations
based on PowerPoint.

The new Authorware also includes support for creating applications in
the JavaScript programming language and tools for integrating
courseware with corporate data systems, so test scores and other data
are automatically sent to the right department.

"It's not just a matter of creating the content," Geller said. "Being
able to track the results is critical."

Courseware created with Authorware 7 can also be played back on systems
running Apple's OS X operating system, although the tools themselves
will remain Windows-only.

Authorware 7 is set for release in mid-June, priced at $2,999 for the
full version of the regular product and $499 for the academic version.
Customers upgrading from version 5 or 6 will pay $899, and those
upgrading from Authorware 6.5 will pay $399.

The new Authorware will also be available as part of the eLearning
suite, which packages the software with Macromedia's Flash MX
application for creating animated Web content and Director MX for
CD-ROM authoring. The regular version of the package sells for
$3,499,while the academic version is priced at $600.

By David Becker, Staff Writer, CNET News.com