Using Contribute

So you have decided to handle your department or program website edits? Good for you!

MCC website templates are available for general use which make updating your departmental site a simple process. The product we have chosen to use is Contribute, an editing tool from Adobe/Macromedia. Your department will need to download a copy of Contribute and install it on the computer where the website edits will be made. If you wish to edit pages from your work computer and your home computer, you will need two (2) copies of Contribute.

License Requirements

This is a 30 days free trial only. After 30 days you will need to purchase a license to continue to use the software.

• Download a 30 day trial of Contribute 4 for WINDOWS.
• Download a 30 day trial of Contribute 4 for MAC.


• Download a 30 day trial of Contribute 3 for WINDOWS.
• Download a 30 day trial of Contribute 3 for MAC.

If you have previously purchased Adobe Creative Suites CS4 - Contribute 4 is included in that suite. Contribute 3 is also part of the Web Bundle in the Adobe CS3 software package.

There are reduced prices for purchasing Contribute from several educational software retailers. You may wish to purchase a copy of the software using departmental funds. For support and guidance on software purchasing you may wish to contact the CTL or the HelpCenter.

Once you have Contribute installed on your computer, and have been identified by your department chair or director as the authorized person to make department or program website edits, you will need to request access to unlock the website for editing.

If you do not have administrative access to your computer you will need to request help from the HelpCenter to be able to download and install Contribute.

Let's Get Started Step by Step

1. Email Web Services at webhelp@mcmail.maricopa.edu
   a) requesting access to the desired folder(s) (we need the URL(s) of the website),
   b) informing your department manager, director, or chair, that you will be editing the website and
   c) please include your telephone number


2. We will then generate a Contribute KEY which will be emailed to you.


3. Save the email attachment to the desktop of the computer where you will be doing your website edits.
   The attachment is the KEY.


4. Double-click the KEY to launch Contribute.


5. Log into Contribute the first time using your username (your regular MCC network access username) and the KEY's password (this password will be in the email containing the KEY).


6. When Contribute connects to the website you should find yourself on the homepage of the site to which you requested access.


7. Once you are on the correct page - click the EDIT button in the upper left corner of the screen.


8. Complete your website edits.


9. Click PUBLISH when you are satisfied with your edits and voila, you are finished!

That's all there is to it! We hope you will find this process simple and convenient. We are here to assist you should you have any difficulties.

Find answers to your Contribute questions and check out the online manuals and video tutorials here.

A Small Reminder

Although Web Services takes recommendations from the Web Oversight Committee in design and general website content, Web Services is the overriding authority for all web pages hosted on MCC servers excluding the following: ITS, Library, and Faculty web pages. As such, Web Services has the right and responsibility to monitor content, usage, and appropriateness of all hosted web pages. Please review website guidelines and best practices if you have any questions.