The Easiset way to build a website (Netobjects Fusion 5)

Member Name: cjkace

Product:	Netobjects Fusion 5
Date:	12/12/00 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, makes updating a breeze, fast.

Disadvantages: expensive, not quite as functional as Dreamweaver

Netobjects have always built very good website building applications, and Fusion 5 is the latest version. It is by far the easiest website program to use, but is not as adaptable as Macromedia Dreamweaver.

The thing that puts it above Dreamweaver is it's template based approach. You start a new site, choose a site style and then every time you add a page it automatically uses the site style, including all the buttons and graphics from the master page. This could be a little restrictive for some but it makes updating your site a lot easier.

Let's say that you've built a site with five sections, with each section comprising of five pages. That's twenty-five pages in all. You then decide that you would like to add another section. With other programs this would mean manually updating each of your other twenty-five pages. Not with Fusion. You create a new page in the tree view and all of your other pages automatically add a button and link to your new section.

It's also easier to have different areas of text on every page, without needing to use tables within tables. You drag a box in the area you wish the text and start typing. You can re-size the text box at any time.

Fusion 5 also comes with some handy java objects. Fancy a rotating adbanner on your site, like the ones on this site. Easy. Ckick where you want the banner, choose the banners, add a link that is specific to each banner and Hey Presto!

This is one of the best website builders around. It's easier to use than Dreamweaver, better all round than Frontpage and creates some gorgeous websites.

NOTE - This software is expensive for what it does. I got my copy because I built my company a website, and the hosting company I chose gave it away free along with Micrografix Picture Publisher 8 and some other little bits.

Summary: