Macromedia Issues Important Posting about the Future of Spectra

 
Dec 07, 2005
Charles Teague, Macromedia's Director of Engineering, recently sent an important posting to all CFUG managers which was also picked up on the Spectra_Talk list at HouseofFusion.com:

"Hi everyone. We really appreciate everyone's patience over the last few weeks. There has been a lot of discussion and concern over the future of Spectra, and I think that the time is right to shed some light on what we are thinking.

"As you know, Spectra provides developers with a broad set of functionality and technology. Enough so, sometimes its breadth proves daunting. Fundamental to the entire product, however, is its foundation - the content object API. In 1996, when I first started working on Allaire's website, the foundational change that I went through was around thinking about the site as composed of 'content objects.' Over the last 5 years, this core concept has been revised, revolutionized, improved, and expanded. Spectra has been the product that carried this concept forward. This concept, and the content object API, have been the most compelling pieces of Spectra since its inception.

"Macromedia's goal is to make dynamic content technology like the content object API pervasive, approachable, and cost effective for our developers. To help us better achieve this, we plan to incorporate key components of Spectra technology - a Java-based version of the COAPI architecture and other services directly related to dynamic content - into the application server, as well as delivering next generation dynamic content technologies such as end-user content contribution and team production through a series of new product initiatives. This means that version 1.5 will be Spectra's last feature additive release - we'll invest our resources in making the core technology that we move into our application server and visual tools faster, easier, and better.

"Macromedia will continue to support Spectra via a community source model, on-going technical support, training, and consulting, as well as having a team of engineers working on bug fixes and quality assurance for community source submissions. Spectra will continue to be offered for sale, using our partners as the primary sales channel. We also will do our best to give you early access to technology previews, alphas, and betas of the new technologies already under development.

"In the world we live and work in, technology changes constantly, we've all thrived because of our ability to adapt to change. This is no different - a change for the Spectra Product Group, and for every developer, customer and partner out there who has invested their valuable time and mind share into Spectra. While I understand the challenge that a change like this can pose, I am extremely optimistic. The core vision of the Spectra technology is compelling - the opportunity to make this technology available to more developers, cheaper, and better, is a chance that I relish. I hope you share my optimism through this time of change.

"You can direct questions and comments to a couple of places:

"1) Via Phone at: 866-236-1146 (North America Toll Free); 800-25524731, (International Toll Free); 617-219-3010 (Direct Dial Long Distance)

"2) Via Email: spectrainquiry@macromedia.com

"I can speak for the Spectra Product Group and Macromedia when I say how much we value the community of developers that use our products. Spectra is no exception. We have an incredible community, and one that we want to continue."

Charles Teague
Director, Engineering
cteague@macromedia.com


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