There are two levels of DevNet subscriptions: DevNet Professional and DevNet Essentials. DevNet Essentials is a yearlong subscription to the DevNet Resource Kit (formerly Developer Resource Kit) and includes four DRKs a year. DevNet Pro is a software subscription service consisting of Macromedia MX tools, servers, and DevNet Essentials. Both levels include access to a personalized subscriber portal where you can manage your license(s) and download the latest software, servers, DRKs, and upgrades based on your subscription level.

DevNet Professional
First, let's take a look at DevNet Pro Subscriptions.

DevNet Pro includes the following tools:

• Macromedia Flash MX
• Dreamweaver MX
• Fireworks MX
• FreeHand MX
• HomeSite+ (Windows only)
• Contribute (Windows only)

DevNet Pro also includes full-featured, developer-only licensed versions of our server software on all available platforms (over 30 downloads), including:

• ColdFusion MX Enterprise Edition (Windows, Solaris, Linux)
• ColdFusion MX for J2EE (IBM WebSphere, JRun, SunOne)
• JRun 4 (Linux, OS X, Windows, HP-UX, Tru64)
• Flash Remoting for .NET (Windows)
• Flash Remoting for Java (Windows, Solaris, Linux)
• Flash Communication Server Personal Edition (Windows)

I know what you are thinking: "I can already get free development versions of the server software from macromedia.com." For the most part you can, but the servers included with DevNet Pro are different (that is, better). In general, the developer versions available from our website have feature limitations and restrictions on the number of users that can connect to them. However, the servers included with DevNet Pro are fully functioning, full-featured development servers. So if you want to develop an application that uses JSPs and Servlets with your ColdFusion pages, you no longer need to buy a separate copy of ColdFusion MX Enterprise Edition, or ColdFusion MX for J2EE. Want to play around and experiment with Flash Communication Server? No problem. The server is included with your DevNet Pro subscription.

DevNet Essentials
However, DevNet Pro includes even more. As I pointed out above, you also get a subscription to DevNet Essentials, which includes 4 DevNet Resource Kits (DRKs) a year. So, even after you get all of the tools and servers included with DevNet Pro, you are still going to get the latest components, extensions, applications, and tools through the DRKs. In fact, you will have access to the newest DRKs three months before the non-DevNet subscribers.

What type of content does the DRK contain? The first two DRKs included a ton of content, some of which is listed below:

Macromedia Flash MX Content:

• DataGrid Component
• Media Controller Component
• Sound Player Component
• Macromedia Flash movie player Component
• Macromedia Flash Streamer Component
• Loading Box Component
• Advanced Message Box Component
• Tool Tip Component
• Tool Tip Light Component
• Rich Text Editor Component
• Smart Combo Box Component
• Advanced Calendar Component
• Color Picker Component
• Simple Menu Component
• MyPhoto Flash Photo Application
• Stock Services Flash Remoting Library
• Email Services Flash Remoting Library
• Pet Market Blueprint Application
• Sample Applications

Dreamweaver MX Content:

• PHP Alternate Table Row Color Extension
• Theme Tool Extension
• Extra File Function Toolbar
• Building a DHTML Image Gallery tutorial
• SQL Reference Extension
• PHP User Authentication Extension
• PHP Master Detail Page Set Extension
• Batch Spell Check Extension

In addition, the first two DRKs also included a complete offline archive of the Macromedia Designer and Developer Center from January to October 2002, as well as chapters from some of the most popular Macromedia Flash and web application development books available.

I think that the DRKs are one of the more valuable parts of DevNet, as they provide an ongoing value throughout the year, and provide components and extensions that can drastically reduce development time. You don't have to worry about spending all of your time creating items such as data grids, calendars and other UI elements. Instead, you can focus on adding features and polishing to your application (or you can just finish your project early and and go out for beers or a movie).

As useful as the first two DRKs have been, DRK 3 is shaping up to be the most extensive and impressive kit yet. Not only are we increasing the amount of Macromedia Flash and
Dreamweaver content on the DRK, but for the first time, we will also have a full offering of ColdFusion content. Some of the ColdFusion content we plan to have on DRK 3 includes new tags, applications, articles, and samples. For Macromedia Flash, we are currently working on nine new components including a new Flash UI Component Set and a number of standalone and Flash Remoting samples and applications. Looking forward to DevNet Resource Kits beyond DRK 3, we are already lining up some really cool content (think data visualization, communication, and client/server modules).

The main thing to remember is that you get this high quality content throughout the year (every three months to be exact). This is one of the things that really sets DevNet Subscriptions apart, from say Macromedia Studio MX. You get continuous, recurring value throughout the year.

What exactly do you mean by "subscription"?
Thus far we have covered all of the tools, all of the non-restricted development servers, and the DevNet Resource Kits. But that's not all! (I realize that I am starting to sound a little bit like an info-mercial, but bear with me!)

If you have DevNet Pro, you don't just get access to the tools and software: You have a subscription. What exactly does that mean? A DevNet subscription is good for one year. If during that year, we release a new version of a tool included with DevNet Pro, you automatically get it—no extra costs, no begging your boss to buy yet another piece of software, no hassles at all. In fact, on the day that Macromedia releases a new version of a tool or server, you can just log onto the DevNet Subscriptions portal and download it. This applies to all of the tools and servers included with DevNet Pro. Plus, the tools products (Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, as so on) are perpetual licenses, so even if your subscription runs out and you don't renew it, you can still use the them. (Of course you will be so hooked on getting DRKs and new versions of software, that you won't be able to let your subscription expire.)

Even More
In addition to getting tons of software, tools, components, extensions, and samples applications throughout the year, there are a couple of other less obvious benefits to DevNet.

Better Budgeting
You only have to ask your boss for new software once a year. This makes it easier for your company to budget for software. It also means that when new software is released, you don't have to beg your boss for money for it—just log onto the DevNet Subscriptions portal, and download the new software.

More Control, Less Hassle
You have control over how you access your software. You can choose to receive it on CD, you can download some or all of it from your DevNet subscription portal, or you can do both. The portal allows you to view all of the currently available software and servers, as well as new versions of tools and servers. You don't have to worry about spending 20 minutes looking for a misplaced installation disk or serial numbers. Just log onto your subscription portal, download the software, and install it.

It's All About Options
Don't worry. We realize that DevNet Pro may not be for everyone. You can still buy individual licenses of our software and servers just as you always have. You can also subscribe to just DevNet Essentials, or purchase DRKs individually. But remember, only DevNet Pro and DevNet Essentials subscribers have exclusive access to the latest DRK

Excited? You can find more information, including subscription costs, and potential upgrade routes on the DevNet signup page. For more general information about DevNet, check out the following resources:

• DevNet Product Page
• DevNet FAQ
• What is DevNet?
• Which DevNet is Right for You?

About the Author
Mike Chambers has been creating applications integrating Macromedia Flash with server side technologies (ColdFusion, Java, ASP, and PHP) for a number of years. He currently heads up the community management team at Macromedia and is also the Flash Community Manager. He has written and spoken extensively on Macromedia Flash and Rich Internet Applications and is co-author of "Flash Enabled: Flash Design and Development for Devices" as well as "Generator and Flash Demystified." Mike maintains a weblog focusing on Flash news and information.