Adiós Adobe!
Written by Alan Musselman
Thursday, 30 April 2009 11:49
@ everyone that knows me or is a regular reader of my weblog, I salute you.
Friday is my last day at Adobe! Please don’t worry, Fireworks is not dead and never will be! I was a user before I worked at Adobe and I’ll be a user after I leave Adobe. I want to thank everyone for giving me the support and helping hand for taking on Macromedia and now Adobe specifically for Fireworks. It wasn’t easy to blog and surface from the bowels of Adobe and tell the world why I use Fireworks, sharing tips, workflows, and extensions. At the time I started a blog I was working in Macromedia Customer Care supporting Studio 8. I was originally hired to support Macromedia Studio 8, can you believe that?! Man…those were the days. I have wonderful memories of macromedians going above and beyond to help their people.
Over the course of my time at Adobe I felt my role become extremely transparent meaning I was taking almost anything that hit me concerning Fireworks. Yesterday, a co-worker called our breed “Pink Zebras” and I think that is an awesome term for someone that will put their heart and soul into a product. I played many roles ranging from Product Support Engineer/Quality Engineer/Evangelist/Product Manager/Application Architect and handling Developer relations. Some say I’m the heart of Fireworks and I’ll agree with them, but the pulse comes from the community.
When I first started at Macromedia in 2004, there must have been only 5 or 6 people I knew in the community that were evangelizing Fireworks. After using their extensions and reading their tips for so many years I felt it was my turn to step up and help out the community. Now we have hundreds of Fireworks evangelists around the world, I feel like it’s a secret network of underdogs working on super secret projects sharing information amongst themselves. I am constantly impressed with what you show me you created in Fireworks!
When I first started working at Macromedia, I had the honor to work with many amazing folks and the list goes on to the point that I just can’t list names. Words cannot express how much knowledge I picked up over the 4 and a half years I worked at Adobe.
Surprisingly enough, my passion still burns super bright after living and breathing Fireworks for so many years. If could embed myself into the software (like Tron?), drink the 36 hour cup of coffee (like MIB?) and work on Fireworks 24/7 I would, but alas I need to get out into the world and explore.
What am I going to do next?
I’ll be a part-time consultant and help teams or individuals build best practices and improve their workflows with Fireworks by finding ways to save time and money. The artist in me (thanks to my mom) will pursue painting with acrylics and professional photography in San Francisco. I’ll even contribute to Wordpress/Joomla/Drupal and other open-source frameworks. I also have plans to publish a couple books over the next two years and maintain http://www.fireworksguruforum.com and http://www.fireworksdesigner.com.
Going forward, keep an eye on the Adobe Fireworks team blog for “official” announcements and to stay up to date with what the Fireworks team is doing here: http://blogs.adobe.com/fireworks
Man, kinda bummed to see you go, because now I don’t have an “in” at Adobe. But, am excited to see the things you’ll cook up now that you are venturing out, solo. Thanks for all that you’ve done to better Fireworks for the rest of us users. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!
Quite the history you have with Fireworks there Alan. I’ve been a witness to your passion so I know that your new journey will be successful!
Alan-
Good luck and please keep in touch. Fireworks is an important tool tool to a lot of us out here and you are the man that has kept it going.
Congrats on the decision and best of luck with your next chapter.
Whooah! This is totally unexpected, and a really sad day for Adobe, Fireworks and the FW community.
You’ve done a great job (well more like 50 jobs) over the last few years I’ve known you, and I hope that the openness the community has with the FW team continues after you’ve left.
Thanks for all of the opportunities you and Adobe have given me as a result of being a FW user. It’s very much appreciated.
Good luck with your future plans – part-time sounds awesome, as opposed to the full-full time that you were doing – and hope to see you in FW land very soon.
Alan, this is a surprise, you will be missed by Adobe and the community.
Here’s to a brighter tomorrow hey?
“Unless you walk out into the unknown, the odds of making a profound difference in your life are pretty low.” – Tom Peters
I’ll keep in touch.
DUDE! Wow — that’s some news. Having worked at Adobe and walked away from it myself, I know what it’s like — only the best of wishes for success in everything you do, my friend… Keep in touch!!
I – dunno what to say. I’m stunned and saddened by this news. You’ve been a pillar of support and encouragement to me Alan, and many others. I consider you a good friend as well.
I wish you all the best in your new plans, hopes and dreams. I will miss your presence at Adobe.
Alan, while I respect your wishes to leave I must state what a huge loss this is for Adobe and for all Fireworks users. You were the ultimate Fireworks enthusiast. I’ve never met anyone with your level of commitment and enthusiasm for anything, let alone a software app. Your energy will be missed and it’s been a pleasure to have worked with you. Good luck with everything and stay in touch!
Hey Alan,
Sad to see you leave. I want to wish you all the best for the new journey ahead. Just shout for any kinda help I can give you. It was a great learning experience working with you. Now the fire will be spread from outside!!
Thanks for instilling part of your passion in me for Fireworks. Will always carry the torch forward.
All the best.
Dude, you’ll be missed in Adobe big time. Hope you will be successful on this new journey you are taking, and thank God you will still support Fireworks =)
Wow. Big surprise. They are definitely losing a real product champion, in all senses of that word.
Hope to see you at some of the conferences still. Keep us posted on what you are up to.
Wow, that’s some news, Alan!
I feel a bit saddened by the fact that you are leaving Adobe and Fireworks… Your passion for Fireworks was contagious, and I enjoyed immensely all these years that we contributed together to a better future for Fireworks!
On the other hand, I am glad that you are going forward — some unknown Path lies in front of you, and who knows, where can it lead you?
I wish you best of luck in your plans, Alan! I hope we’ll be in touch! I hope you won’t forget Fireworks and will keep spreading the fire around the world!
I am happy I’ve met you, years ago, and that I was able to contribute to Adobe Fireworks!
Good luck, dude!
))
A big surprise for a Friday morning read. I know it was probably a tough decision but it looks like you have a really good plan togehter.
Thanks for being so supportive and encouraging in your emails, and being open to talking one-to-one like that. I’m heartned to see you’ll still be active in the Fireworks community.
Best of luck and thanks for all of your hard work and commitment over the years.
Many points of view. I am thrilled that one of the finest designers/photographers I’ve known is making this commitment to themselves and to those closest to them. Been worried, bro.
Thrilled you made this decision. I know you and those close to you must be as well.
Hi Alan,
That is sad news, but am glad that we can continue to stay in touch with you on the forum..
Before man closes one door God already opened hundreds to send him off to new and amazing horizons!
Rise and shine, mon ami!
Wish you all the best for the moment,
zabberwan
Alan you are a brave man to do what you are doing. But then, your full-speed-ahead-heck-with-those-torpedoes is one reason people appreciate and like you so much. Adobe and the Fireworks team were pretty lucky that you have felt the way you felt about Fireworks. Not sad you’re leaving – more, excited to see what you might do next. Have a feeling that it will be good. Go Alan!
Dude! Adobe will miss you! Fireworks community in particular. I had the chance to work with Alan with the Technical Support Team and I know he was destined for greater things.. Thus he made sure Fireworks is properly evangelized. I was an honor working with you man! Now you can visit Philippines cause you have more time. hahaha See you around
Hey Allan,
Thanks for your passion with Fireworks. You rock! and Fireworks rock! Adobe.. doesn’t rock anymore..
Alan,
I heard the news last week and all I can say is that I am still in denial. The last time I witnessed news so big, it was when Adobe announced they were purchasing Macromedia. It was you that gave me hope that Fireworks would live on, and it was you that (like the good leader you are) brought together the masses to create the campaign to show Adobe how important it was to keep Fireworks alive.
Others have said it well, you are Fireworks. Your energy and commitment for this app,,,,, There are not even the words to describe what you have done for us.
Aside from Fireworks, you are an awesome individual and I know you will be successful where ever you go and what ever you do.
PS – I am glad to hear that you are planning staying in SF… we should do lunch sometime soon.
~ C
Will miss you – what a help – but thanks God you will be at fireworksguruforum.
All the best and God bless
Dorothy aka Webgirl
Hi Alan,
really sad that you do not continue.
But i think, it is a chance to make it better.
Best regards
Hi Alan,
This is very sad news for the Adobe Fireworks community, I wish you the better on your new plans and I hope you conquer all your goals and achievements.
I really wish this is not an Adiós to Adobe and you still be active in the community, you have made great things for all of us.
Hey Alan,
All I can say quite simply, my hats off to you. You made a big difference in Fw as a whole, and Fw community, again, as a unique whole. I am still little sad about your leaving Adobe, and still in denial somewhat. It is good to know that I am not alone in that situation, I see that many others have expressed their sadden or surprises or something like that.
Thank you for all of your hard work, dedication and major contribution to Adobe Fireworks, and look forward to see you continue to involve in Fw community.
Cordially and submitted respectively, Brian
Hey Alan … great wishes on the new adventures, and sending heavy amounts of gratitude to you for all your advice and expertise. I work with FW each day. BTW … kudos to great Mothers everywhere, including ours that inspire artistic pursuits!
UPDATE:
Well Congrats!
I just viewed a older eSeminar. .. I emailed you this below! Good luck in the future! You Rocked @ Adobe!
______
“Thanks for your presentation! I’m in college … and I have C4 & learning WHAT Fireworks can do … is going to be exciting. I watched this (recorded session, which by the way is AWESOME … that Adobe is doing that).”
Mark
Being one of those few that evangelized Fireworks to whomever would listen all those years ago (when it was not cool to do so), I am very sad to hear this news too. You have been a constant champion for Fireworks and have earned the respect of everyone in the community with your hardwork but mostly your integrity. This is a big loss for Adobe.
But on the other hand, this sounds like a good decision for yourself and I know what it’s like to quit a good job and pursue new adventures as I did just that last year too. I wish you the best of luck in all your new endeavors.
I also want to thank you personally and sincerely for all that you have done for me through the years. I hope we can pursue our friendship on a new footing.
Don’t be a stranger Alan!
Sad to see you leave, and a bit worried who will “drive” FW now — you will be missed!
Best of luck on your new plans!
Alan–
Dude! Hiring you was one of the best things that Macromedia ever did, and losing your passion and enthusiasm for Fireworks will be a tough loss to live with. It’s always hard to make these life changing decisions, but with your amazing exuberance for all that you do I’m certain that you’ll do well in all your new adventures.
Thanks for all you’ve done and best of luck in your new endeavors. You will be missed!
Kim
Thanks everyone for the kind words, I’m really at a lost on what to say other than I’ll be right there with you going forward. We’ll make Fireworks rock even if I’m not at Adobe!
Alan,I am sure you are doing the right thing! You have made an awesome contribution, not only to FW but to the community. Thanks for that!!!
Please shoot me an email – if you are not in Bora-Bora on vacation… This might be a perfect timing, as we are planning to bring a team of designers to use FW as main design application from Inception through XAML deployment. Cheers man and best of luck!
Just seeing this. Congratulations and thanks for all your hard work in making Fireworks amazing!! You will be missed.
Take care and keep in touch.
Katie
FW is alive in the Philippines!
thanks for being such an inspiration chief!
Quite a shock to read this Alan. I think you have done an awesome job at Adobe promoting and standing up for Fireworks and showing the world that fireworks is an awesome product and a great alternative to photoshop for web design. I look forward to your continued involvement in Joomla and other OS platforms. I’ll see you around for sure! Cheers!
Andy
best of luck for your new journey and i know fireworks cant be without you
Cheers
vivek
So proud of you for venturing out on your own, and looking forward to experiencing and sharing the creativity that overflows in you. We will plan on some painting and photography next time we visit.
Love,
Mom
I wish you the best of the best!
Fireworks = Alan
Cheers!
Giancarlo