It’s a Vector web graphics program that Photoshop can’t compare with. Remember they got rid of ImageReady and they kept Fireworks.

It has pages which Photoshop doesn’t have, makes Flash symbols, creates rapid wireframe prototyping that has hotspots that when converted to a PDF allows clients to click through a mockup like an actual site so it makes the design process much faster.

It exports much better CSS (actual validated CSS not layers) than Photoshop can create rollovers, disjionted rollovers and a master page where any common element will automatically be on any new page.

It skins Flex apps easier because it is vector and can export MXML as well as export fxg files.

It’s a common misconception because Fireworks also handles bitmaps and can do simple editing like levels and such, but it works hand-in-hand with Photoshop, not competing against it.

Photoshop only has vector while in Photoshop, not once anything is exported.

Apparently we (the users of Fireworks) need to do a better job showing everyone what’s unique about it and that it isn’t like Photoshop.