Adobe Systems has released a beta version of its "Muse" Web design software for building and publishing Web sites without the need for coding.
Muse, the code name for the product, uses Adobe's AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) environment to allow designers to create HTML-based Websites using drag-and-drop techniques. Adobe said that even novices can create interactive Web sites with Muse.
With the tool designers create a blank Web site and insert text, images, graphics and other content – including HTML elements likeGoogle Maps and Facebook feeds – and export theHTML file to be hosted.
Muse supports the latest Web standards including HTML 5 and CSS3 and borrows the user interface and layout concepts from Adobe's InDesign software for creating magazines, brochures and other printed material.
While Muse performs many of the same functions as Adobe's Dreamweaver design toolset, Adobe said it's easier to use and it appears to offer more limited functionality than the popular Dreamweaver.
Earlier this month Adobe offered an early preview of its forthcoming Adobe Edge product for creating animated content for Web sites.
The Muse public beta will be available until early 2012 when Adobe expects to ship a version 1.0 of the product. Adobe hasn't said what the software's actual name will be. The product will be available only on a subscription basis with an expected price tag of $15 per month under a one-year plan and $20 per month on a month-to-month basis.
