NetObjects Fusion 4 review

Digging around a bit here at last reveals the first additions for Fusion 4 and, in the main, they're pretty sensible. Top of the list is the Screen Door element. This allows you to add some JavaScript or ASP code which recognises what browser is being used to browse the page and automatically redirects the user based on the information received. This lets you, for example, use advanced Dynamic HTML features while making the site accessible to those using version 3 browsers. Just create two versions of the same page, add the Screen Door element, fill in the blanks and it's done.

Another useful tool is the Go Menu, which automatically generates a drop-down navigational menu to all the pages in your site, a feat that can normally only be achieved by dabbling with JavaScript. Rotating pictures, ad banners, timed images, as well as roll-over buttons and images can also be added to your pages simply by clicking a button and filling in a few blanks on the Properties palette.

As before, NetObjects boasts impressive database integration including, as standard, component sets for connecting to ColdFusion, ASP, IBM HotMedia and Lotus eSuite servers as well as a simple non-dynamic database connection tool that updates only when you publish the site.

E-commerce, anyone?

Interestingly, you'll also find site Wizards that will automatically set up a basic ready-to-publish on-line shop for you. In collaboration with iCat Commerce Online, you can add various components that, once the site is published to the iCat servers, allow the secure processing of basic sales transactions; any orders placed on the site will then be credited to your next credit card bill. However, while this is great for small businesses looking to sell just a few products, there's a drawback in that everything has to be converted into dollars and back again - your credit card company will also take a cut for the currency conversion. Not only that, but you also have to pay for the service, although from $19.95 (£12.23) per month for up to ten items, it isn't too exorbitant.

From the Site view, you can quickly create a basic structure for your Web site from scratch without even looking at the editing window, or simply view and change the way pages are laid out. If you're acquainted with Microsoft FrontPage's Site view, this visual tree-style view will be familiar, as will the way in which it works. Pages can simply be dragged to the desired position within your site and, as long as you stick to using NetObjects' automatically generated navigation bars, the links on the various pages will change accordingly. From here, the E-Commerce and ColdFusion Wizards can be launched, along with a couple of site templates - 'Company Internet' or 'Department Intranet' - provided to get you started quickly.

Once you've created a basic site structure, you can use the Style view to give it a themed look. Again, this is no different in concept to the Style view in version 3. Basically, it gives you over 50 themed collections (new to Fusion 4) of banners, buttons and roll-overs, dividers and backgrounds, and lets you apply them to your whole site. Again, it's another feature Fusion shares with FrontPage, but with one key difference - these styles benefit from a more professional look. Not only do you get more than 50 new styles, but also all of the style sets from versions 1, 2 and 3, bringing the total up to a massive 192 - which should be ample for most people.

It's not all rosy, though, because the method for altering text labels on the buttons is hardly intuitive. Initially, they take on the text of your page titles but, bizarrely enough, the only way to edit the text is to go back to the Site view and use the Custom Names option on the Edit menu. It seems trivial but it is irritating, and is just one example of the interface's occasionally quirky nature.