Macromedia releases e-learning product

Macromedia has released the eLearning Studio, a combination of its Authorware 6 software for designing educational applications, its Flash 5 animation software, and its Dreamweaver 4 Web authoring tool. Available online and through resellers, the eLearning Studio costs $2,999; upgrades from Authorware 5.x cost $899, and upgrades from Authorware 3.x and 4.x cost $1,099. The standalone Authorware 6 software costs $2,699; upgrades cost $499 from Authorware 5.x and $699 from Authorware 3.x and 4.x.

eLearning Studio, announced last month, adheres to educational software standards set by the Advanced Distributed Learning Network, the Aviation Industry CBT (Computer-Based Training) Committee, Instructional Management Systems and the World Wide Web Consortium. The newly upgraded Authorware 6 adds "one button" Web and CD-ROM publishing, drag-and-drop synchronization of various media types, and support for streaming MP3 audio.