I bought a template and it sounded easy to update the gif images using fireworks with the correct company name, navigation buttons etc. However, it's driving me crazy! Even with self-help books and dreamweaver help tool I can't figure out how to change the text on these gif's. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

You can't directly edit a gif to change the text on it. Once the image has been saved it is effectivley a flat file. That is everything is on one layer including the text so you can't just select the text part and change it.

Pencer's right. You need the source file (i.e. PNG for Fireworks) if you wish to be able to easily edit any image. You can still edit a GIF image but you'll need to do it by zooming in and trying to recolour the image pixel-by-pixel - which can drain a lot of your time and energy

A PNG or other source file SHOULD be included with the template. If you haven't got any then you need to talk to whoever sold you the template.

However if you have been given PNG files then it's a simple matter of double-clicking the text to edit it.

Some more info might be useful.