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                                                               EXHIBIT - (a)(6)


                 EMAIL MESSAGE FROM FRANCI CLAUDON TO OPTIONEES
                   TO WHOM THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS BEING MADE.

As announced by Rob Burgess during the web cast today, Macromedia is offering
employees an option exchange program.

Recent stock market volatility and changing economic conditions have had a
significant impact of the value of our stock. As a result, most employee stock
options have lost much of their incentive benefit that we intended them to have
since they are now priced substantially above the current market value of our
stock.

Therefore, we have elected to offer this stock option exchange program to
employees. By making this offer, we intend to provide you with the benefit of
owning options that, over time, may have a greater potential to increase in
value. We believe the offer creates better performance incentives for employees
and thereby maximizes shareholder value.

Under the terms of the offer:

        -       Outstanding options granted under certain active option plans
                are eligible for exchange.

        -       You may elect to cancel some or all of your eligible options.

        -       Macromedia will make a replacement grant to you for an equal
                number of shares on a date at least six months plus one day in
                the future.

        -       The replacement options will be priced at the market value of
                Macromedia's common stock on the replacement grant date.

        -       The vesting terms of the replacement grant will be the same as
                your original grant - you will not lose any vesting on your
                options if you elect to cancel them.

        -       If you elect to exchange any of your options any options granted
                to you on or after December 3, 2000 must also be exchanged.

        -       Options repriced by Allaire prior to the closing of the merger
                are not eligible for exchange.

The full details of the offer are available at
http://macronet.macromedia.com/stocks/pages/exchange.htm.

Please read ALL of the information regarding this offer carefully before
deciding whether or not you want to participate.


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An election form is being distributed via inter-office mail to each employee who
has options that are eligible for the exchange. If you would like to have a copy
of the election form mailed to your home address please send an email to Darrell
Hong with your request.

If you choose to participate in the exchange, we must receive your completed and
signed election form no LATER THAN 5 P.M., PACIFIC TIME, JUNE 4, 2001. If we do
not receive your election form by this deadline, you will not be able to
participate in this offer. Once the offer ends, any election you make is
irrevocable - you will not be able to change it.

If you have any questions about the offer, please contact Darrell Hong or Franci
Claudon in Stock Administration.