Some of the most interesting news to hit the ColdFusion world in recent memory is the January 16th announcement that Macromedia and Allaire are to merge into a new, larger-than-life Macromedia. The goal of the combined company is to take the best of what each company brings to the table and create one big company that allows its customers to create and develop a Web site - both the design and the application (and everything in between) - from start to finish. They see themselves as a one-stop Web development shop; looking at the combined product list you can see why. The new Macromedia isn't going to stop with just developing for the Web. They're jumping on the wireless bandwagon as well and looking for initiatives to unite development on all of today's wireless devices, from PDAs to cell phones. They want to "deliver everything everywhere," which is certainly a noble goal that, if achieved, will make a CF developer's life just a little bit easier.

When does it all start to come together? The merger is scheduled to be completed during the second quarter of 2001 in a $360-million transaction. The new company will have its headquarters in San Francisco with offices in Boston. In case you're wondering about the new management team - Kevin Lynch will remain Macromedia's president of products, and Jeremy Allaire will join Macromedia as its chief technology officer.

Okay, that's the nitty-gritty of the deal, but the real question in everyone's mind is, "What's happening to ColdFusion?!?" (At least that was the first question that came to my mind.) The answer is that for the time being, at least (and who can really talk much further than that?), the new Macromedia is committed to continuing and expanding the current roadmap including CF 5 and the J2EE-rich Neo, both still slated for release in 2001.

Also with the two companies joined together, we can look forward to increased integration between their various products and services, details of which are still coming out. The first round of Flash components that plug right into CF were demonstrated way back (way back in Internet-time at least) at the Allaire Conference in November. One wonders how long this merger was in the works "behind the scenes"? As evidenced by the cheering crowd at the announcement, making it easier for developers to visually spruce up their products and add functionality with Flash is a good thing. With over 96% market penetration, Flash support on the client end isn't a major concern. And for those few people without it - it's a download so simple that almost anyone can do it. (I know, take nothing for granted, but this one really is easy.)

I can only speak for myself - but if the limit of your graphics ability involves fumbling around in Adobe Photoshop, and you're begging graphic designers for help on your projects, I wouldn't mind saying "Look what I made!" without having to open up a graphics program. That'll show those designers!

So join me and raise a glass in congratulations to the new Macromedia, and look to CFDJ in the coming months for continuing coverage on what it will mean to you.