Net Objects Fusion 8

I last wrote HTML six years ago and can only remember snippets - this is the perfect answer to all my worries! I have a website to construct in 6 weeks and haven't got the time to re-learn HTML.... Fusion8 is the perfect answer. You can even add your own pictures and links directly from your personal folders rather than typing in the file location.

You don't need knowledge of HTML but if you do have it you can add bits and pieces in to your pages. You can even view your page as a web layout while designing it!

Hope you find this helpful :0)


An excellent program - even if you have no experience   November 24, 2005
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

As someone who doesn't want to spend too much time learning the technical details of web sites, this is a godsend. Basically, this is a WYSIWYG editor, more akin to a desk top publisher, than programs like Dreamweaver. Saying that, it is also very well featured, with tools for creating databases and web stores with minimum fuss or technical knowledge. The first thing to say is that this is an easy program to learn, there's a lot of it - but you learn the things you need as you need to do them. Secondly, a lot of work has gone into organising your site and its contents in a clear and structured way.

There is a temptation to use the prepared templates and Fusion does sometimes attract complaint from those who don't use it because of the sites that all look a little samey. If you are going to create a successful site, you need to create your own graphics - fortunately, Fusion makes utilising these graphics in a 'site style' very easy, either in simple menu bars or galleries.

The price is a whole lot cheaper than the likes of Dreamweaver or Frontpage. It's still not cheap but earlier versions are always showing up for free on cover discs - version 7 shows up a lot and is very functional by itself or can be used to get the upgrade price, usually about half the cost.


Fusion 8   August 24, 2005
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Over 5 million sites built and over 50 industry awards, so it must be great right? Yes and no! Yes you can create professional web sites in just 3 steps with the site wizard. But, who would buy them as the templates that come with the software aren't good enough to stand out in the crowd.
The way you should view this software, is to think of it as a very effective tool for teaching you how to create a whole web site, rather than page-by-page. You can apply visual styles instantly, and this aspect of the software is very well implemented, but again the styles on offer won't excite you too much. There is the simplicity of drag and drop, and the software is easy to use. If you want other components, such as a form manager, or other templates and site styles these can be paid for and downloaded as required. Personally, I would have liked to have seen some of this included with the price as I don't really appreciate this type of marketing.

On the no side, there are several aspects of using the programme where stange things happen to your web pages, such as text bleeding into the graphics, or graphics refusing to stay put on the page but as of now they are onto update 4 which demonstrates ongoing support, which has to be good!
The manual is pretty basic but there is a better manual you can buy, again, through the programme which is pretty impressive and covers most of the problems i've encountered.

All in all this programme does do what it says on the box and taking the rough with the smooth will help you produce reasonable results.


You WILL Buy This...   August 20, 2005
 11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Fusion 8 is ideal for anyone looking to create their own professional looking website but without the effort of learning CSS or HTML.
Its so easy to use with a drag and drop formula. It allows you to add text, photos, banners... everything you normally see on a modern website. There are ready designed pages with matching buttons,headings,banners so on, for when you arent feeling too creative but it is also easily adapted to fit any style you want to achieve. It takes abit of playing to discover everything this software can do (or you could read the manual...)But its great fun to use so thats not a bad thing.
Fusion 8 also has a fantastic help desk which you can email with your problem and they get back to you within minutes with a solution. Check out their website for portfolios of webdesigners who use nothing but Fusion 8. You can also download the 28 day trail version...But thats really just putting off buying it for 28 days, because once you've tried it, you WILL buy it.


Elegant designs in record time   January 1, 2005
 44 out of 53 found this review helpful

I still get excited using this program. It is practically impossible for anyone to make an ugly site using it.

You have to try it to understand what makes it different - in a league of its own. Firstly, its Site View enables even large webs to be created in seconds. You can even work live in front of a client with total confidence. Nav bars build automatically within the pages.

Its unique SiteStyles technology mean that coordinating graphics are available with one click, to give instant aesthetic appeal to the page.

There is nothing I don't like about this program. It makes the nicest looking photo galleries of all the programs. It has an easy to use Ecommerce component built in, which allows you to make shops and start trading, without the usual angst.

It is elegant, intuitive, and very reliable. It will offer great results for the first time user, and elegant, polished sites in the hands of a pro.

It's the new year. Make the change. You won't look back. Netobjects Fusion will spoil you for any other web design program. It's fabulous.