What is Contribute, and what does it do? In a nutshell, Macromedia Contribute will allow even the most computer illiterate person in your company to update and manage an intranet or website with ease. A website administrator will configure editable areas in web pages, so that a user can only edit certain areas of the site, such as particular areas of text content and certain images. For the user, its as simple as using a word processor. For the employer, a lot more cost effective than employing a designer, or setting up a full scale backend for simple site maintenance and management. A definite WIN-WIN situation.

Last year I reviewed Contribute but I feel that this version of the product has matured into a fully fledged web content management application, so I felt another review was called for. There is a noteable bundle of tools and loads of new features. Users can edit images, utilise enhanced media embedding and CSS rendering, there is both CMS and LMS support, better MS Office integration to name just a few.

Most of the changes to this version revolve around enterprise functionality, such as the new review and approval system. The first versions of Contribute were for small teams or individuals, so they didn't need an automated approval process, but bigger teams need a strict workflow. Administrators can now create ordered workflows and specify who can make pages live and who can only edit pages. After Contribute users have finished updating their pages, they can send a notification for a manager to check them and make them live. The managers can send the pages back for revisions if necessary. Good news ... all this enhancement hasn't affected the UI too much ... so existing users will adapt quite easily to this upgraded version.

Macromedia has packaged Contribute 3 in together with its other web content products in what they call their "Web Publishing System", i.e., Contribute 3, Flashpaper 2 and Contribute Publishing Services. FlashPaper 2 allows anyone to convert printable files into Macromedia Flash documents or PDF files with one click and Contribute Publishing Services, a new server-based product, enables administrators to manage website access centrally while tracking usage.

Macromedia has scored a touchdown with this version of Contribute. If you would like to take the headaches out of managing your website and protect your techno-challenged staff from themselves then Macromedia Contribute 3 could be just what you are looking for for your business.