San Francisco, California Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: MACR) today announced the Macromedia Web Learning Studio, the complete authoring solution for online learning. The studio includes Macromedia Authorware 5.2, a new version of the leading authoring product for online learning, with Web authoring standards such as Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Dreamweaver. The integrated authoring studio enables developers, instructional designers, and subject matter experts to create and deploy engaging, standards-based learning applications for delivery on the Web, corporate intranets, and via CD-ROMs. "We have found that the majority of our learning developers are using HTML and Macromedia Flash content in their online courses," said Pat Brogan, vice president of education and learning at Macromedia. "The Macromedia Web Learning Studio gives developers all the software they need to address the full range of application and delivery requirements - from simple Web-based tutorials to sophisticated, rich-media simulations." The Macromedia Web Learning Studio includes all new versions of Macromedia authoring products and features Authorware 5.2, the latest release of the leading software for creating rich-media learning for Web, LANs and CD-ROM. New features in version 5.2 are support for Macromedia Flash 5, a robust new scripting editor, Windows controls, assessment Knowledge Objects, and enhanced, standards-compliant data tracking capabilities. The studio also supports industry standards to ensure the learning content it creates can be easily tracked by learning management systems. "We are delighted to see Authorware adding support for leading-edge technologies like Macromedia Flash 5," said Mark Steiner, manager of learning services, Chicago, for marchFIRST, Inc.. "We rely heavily upon Authorware's ability to integrate a diverse variety of media types and then rapidly add logic and interactivity to deliver successful online learning courseware for our clients." "We are impressed with Macromedia's ability to integrate leading edge solutions, like Authorware and Macromedia Flash 5," according to the global training division of FedEx Express. "With Macromedia delivering cutting edge Web authoring tools, we can focus on delivering on-time training and packages." To enhance the power of the new studio, Macromedia is also providing free learning extensions for Macromedia Flash 5 and Dreamweaver 4, including the now free CourseBuilder extension for Dreamweaver. These extensions and other learning resources will be available from the Learning Resource Center on the Macromedia Web site (http://www.macromedia.com/learning). "Getting Started with Online Learning," a how-to guide for developers written by online learning experts, is also available with the studio and as a free download from the Learning Resource Center. The learning extensions enable the development of online learning content with Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver by providing pre-built navigational frameworks, learning interactions, quizzes and built-in data tracking. IBM Mindspan Solutions will sell the Macromedia Web Learning Studio as part of a partnership announced over a year ago. IBM Mindspan Solutions delivers a full array of e-learning solutions including planning and design services, content capabilities, technologies, and delivery capabilities. "IBM Mindspan Solutions is excited to see Macromedia deliver standards-based tracking capabilities across all of the products in the Macromedia Web Learning Studio including Authorware 5.2, Macromedia Flash 5, and Dreamweaver," said Laura Sanders, vice president IBM Mindspan Solutions. "The real benefits of technology-based learning can only be achieved when content is tightly integrated with the learning management and delivery system as is now possible with all of the studio products and Lotus LearningSpace." Macromedia supports current and emerging learning standards, and participates in standards organizations such as the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL), the Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) and the Instructional Management Systems Global Learning Consortium (IMS). "Authorware's built-in support for communicating with standards-based learning management systems like Saba is extremely valuable to our customers," said Grant Ricketts, vice president of Business Development for Saba. "The enhanced AICC compatibility in Authorware 5.2 allows our customers to leverage current standards to create and deploy custom courseware that tracks within the Saba learning system." Pricing and Availability The Macromedia Web Learning Studio for Windows, including Authorware 5.2, Dreamweaver 3 and Macromedia Flash 5, is available for $2,999. The studio will initially ship with Macromedia Dreamweaver 3, until Dreamweaver 4 is available in December 2000. Any customers who purchase the studio will be eligible for a free upgrade to Dreamweaver 4. Authorware 5.2 is available as a standalone product for $2,699. Both are available immediately as electronic software downloads from the Macromedia Web site (http://www.macromedia.com/store). Boxed product will ship in November. For registered owners of Authorware 5.0 and 5.1, the upgrade to Authorware 5.2 is available as a free electronic download from the Macromedia Web site (http://www.macromedia.com/support/authorware/download.html).