In-house tech gurus will love Adobe software package

In the old days many small businesses would outsource graphics, design and Web content management functions.

Nowadays many companies have in house gurus who can produce first-rate results.

One of the tools that lets them do that is Adobe's Creative Suite 3 Web Premium, which has one the most comprehensive collections of Web media software.

These include:

Fireworks CS3: This is an image editor and vector-based graphics tool.

Contribute CS3: This is a Web-content editing that gives non-geeks the capability to edit Web pages without dealing with HTML code. I regularly use Contribute to to post links, photos, alter text and even embed YouTube videos.

Dreamweaver CS3: This helps you create, develop and maintain Web sites.

Flash CS3 Professional: Contains animation tools.

Acrobat CS3 Professional: This is a document-distribution, editing and collaboration tool.

Photoshop CS3: This is an industry-standard photo-and image-enhancement tool. Considering that digital photography now is so prevalent in Web design, content management, and even your own personal collection of photos, this comes in very handy.

With a little practice (and coaching) you can get into the guts of a photo by opening up the "raw file" and tweak an image to perfection.

I particularly like Bridge, a cool utility that allows you to easily sort through and keep track of your digital media.

Photoshop CS3 Extended : This is a set of extensions for Photoshop for specialty apps used by architects or medical researchers.

Illustrator CS3: This is a high-end drawing tool.

Adobe's Creative Suite 3 Web Premium retails for around $1,600, but you can get it for as little at $500 online.

You'll need time to get conversant with all the software--or better yet, hand it to your office gurus. They will love you for it.

Cliff Miyake is general manager in Honolulu for Time Warner Telecom. He can be reached at Cliff.Miyake@twtelecom.com