I can't imagine website management getting much easier than that. Speaking as someone who would rather spend time at what I'm good at than struggling to understand what is for me an esoteric subject, this is best software investment I made all year.

As a copywriter, this program recently proved its value for me on a new website project. I was able to make copy changes whenever I wanted, even while web designer was also changing graphics and other page design elements on a daily basis.

Contribute 3 can be configured to allow you full access to a website (your own for example) or you can be restricted to editing only certain features or pages. For example, if you just need to update one section of a company website from time to time, your webmaster can set up permissions that will let you change only those pages.

While Contribute 3 doesn't let you do everything that more full featured web authoring programs like Dreamweaver or FrontPage do, it's still highly capable. You can edit pages, create new pages, add images and tables, create links to a page or document, and more.

If you're already a savvy designer comfortable with programs like Dreamweaver, or get by well enough with a text editor and basic FTP skills, you probably don't need Contribute 3.

But if you're anything like me and want a fast, easy way to update a website - you're going to love how easy it is to manage changes using Contribute 3. It's practically a no brainer.

Macromedia sells Contribute 3 directly from its website www.macromedia.com beginning at 79 dollars. However, they'll let you download and use full version for 30 days at absolutely no cost. So why not try it out on their dime and see what you think? After my trial period was up, I willingly plunked down cash to get my very own copy--and I'm glad I did.

On one of my sites, I use an 'about button' that when hovered over with mouse, a popup displays a brief paragraph about my site and what it will do for them. My 'about’ info is there to be read and it does not take my viewer away from my main page.

Maybe a good analogy would be a newspaper in a street rack. Publishers discovered a long time ago that what was visible through paper rack on top half of folded newspaper was their billboard to sell papers. The headlines and articles that would show through rack window had to be powerful and compelling to grab your attention as you walked by and make you drop coins in slot and buy a paper.

The portion of your page that is immediately visible when your page is viewed is very important. It’s most valuable part of your web page real estate.

Don’t believe that this space should be used for hype, fancy graphics and flashy demos unless those presentations enhance or convey your message. Usually, your visitors are not there to be amused. They are there for information. Give them what they want right away or you risk losing them forever.

Ray Hadorn rhadorn2@fuse.net Ray is a freelance writer, photographer and web site developer. Ray is the owner of www.ALittleExtraMoney.com which provides tips, reports and information useful to help you make your site profitable and www.SaveMyGas.com that provides a very revealing guide to help you save money on your gasoline consumption.