NetObjects Fusion 3.0 offers site-builders an open site-building environment, providing unparalleled flexibility and choice to easily layout pages, control and edit HTML code, add DHTML based interactivity and animation, publish for different browsers, and integrate sites with existing databases and commerce applications.

Information on a pre-release, trial version of NetObjects Fusion 3.0 will be available from the NetObjects Web site at www.netobjects.com.

As the Internet matures, commercial Web sites and intranets are evolving from relatively simple, static billboards into dynamic business entities that are visually enticing and interactive, provide dynamically generated information, and support commercial transactions.

Professional site-builders are frustrated with the tedium of creating sophisticated Web sites with page-oriented, code-based, textual tools and with visual products that eliminate control over HTML. Instead, they need an open site-building environment or "control center" that provides robust site-management, visual layout capabilities, cross-browser support as well as the flexibility to integrate content and code created in external HTML, script and content editing tools.

"To meet site-builders' changing needs, NetObjects has developed a truly open and flexible product which enables the creation of dynamic business sites that take advantage of key new Web technologies," said David Kleinberg, NetObjects' executive vice president of products. "Version 3.0 is a powerful solution that allows site-builders to work the way they want to work and integrate a broad range of code and content into a seamless site environment."

NetObjects Fusion 3.0 will be publicly demonstrated for the first time from January 27-30. at Internet Showcase in San Diego. The final product is expected to ship in March, 1998. A Macintosh version of NetObjects Fusion 3.0 is expected to be available 90 days after the Windows version ships.

NetObjects Fusion 3.0 Features and Benefits - An Open and Flexible Authoring Environment

3-Way Page Editing
Using NetObjects Fusion 3.0, site builders can create pages in any combination of graphical, textual or HTML modes, while taking advantage of the product's robust management capabilities. For pages that are graphic intensive or require pixel-accurate layout, site builders can use the product's graphical editor. For pages which are highly textual or for which leanness of generated HTML code is a top priority, NetObjects Fusion 3.0 includes new text editing capabilities.

In addition, site builders who want to enjoy the productivity benefits of NetObjects Fusion's site and content management capabilities and also continue to hand-code HTML pages, can now do so very easily by launching external HTML tools such as Allaire HomeSite, FrontPage 98, Adobe Pagemill and Macromedia Dreamweaver, from within the product. NetObjects Fusion manages the assets and publishes the pages created in external editors without modifying the original code.

"NetObjects Fusion 3.0 gives me more choices and flexibility to work the way a designer works than any other Web authoring tool on the market," said Stella Gassaway, a partner in bYte a tree productions, a Philadelphia-based design firm. "NetObjects Fusion 3.0 is my tool of choice for Web development because I can take advantage of the visual layout and site management capabilities and at the same time integrate content and HTML code created with other tools."

Dynamic Actions
NetObjects Fusion 3.0's Dynamic Actions provide authors the first visual message based environment to create DHTML-based interactivity and animation. Unlike script editors and 1st generation DHTML tools based on limiting wizards and complicated timelines, NetObjects Fusion 3.0 provides a powerful yet intuitive approach for achieving sophisticated interactivity.

Using Dynamic Actions, authors can bring to Web users the rich world of CD-ROM interactivity, including pop-up menus that open windows or forms, user-draggable objects for product configurations and games, animated navigation controls etc. NetObjects Fusion 3.0 generates the appropriate JavaScript based on simple point and click selections, eliminating the need for manual coding. The flexibility to add or customize scripts using script editors like Acadia Infuse is provided for advanced site developers.

"Dynamic Actions in Fusion 3.0 are particularly exciting for Web designers, because now one can create sophisticated, interactive Web sites that leverage the power of Javascript without having to do any manual coding", said Emily Davidow, the founder of the New York based Web development firm, Digital Elements, and developer of the award winning e-commerce site, BeHOME . "I don't ever want to go back to coding Dynamic HTML by hand again. I was shocked to find the Fusion generated code leaner than my own and thrilled to discover how easy it is to create dramatic effects."

Everywhere HTML
Site-builders need to design sites that maintain their layout fidelity not only on divergent 4.0 browsers, but also on the large installed base of 2.x and 3.x browsers. NetObjects Fusion 3.0 is the first product to provide Everywhere HTML- HTML generation capabilities that enable site-builders to "build once and publish anywhere." The product provides authors menu-based options to easily publish sites or portions of sites that:

• Run on all browsers
• Are optimized for both Netscape Communicator 4.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Are optimized for a particular 2.x, 3.x or 4.0 browser
• In addition, have multiple versions of pages for specific browsers

Dynamic Data Publishing and Commerce Capabilities
For advanced site-builders who want to publish information directly from a
variety of databases and create commerce enabled sites, NetObjects offers a
set of compelling solutions. NetObjects Fusion 3.0 is an open environment that works with external databases and application via NetObjects Fusion Components (NFX), which are Java-encapsulated mini-applications that appear as page elements you can place on any page.

NetObjects will deliver a suite of components and other complementary products through a special pro-pack geared towards advanced users of NetObjects Fusion 3.0. Details on the pricing and availability of the pro-pack will be provided when NetObjects Fusion 3.0 ships.

Other Innovative Enhancements
NetObjects Fusion 3.0 also includes many improvements based on feedback from existing users including more control over published directories, improved site-import functionality, better media support, and a new and improved user interface.

NetObjects Fusion 3.0 to Include Leading HTML Editor Allaire HomeSite 3.0 NetObjects Fusion 3.0 will be bundled with a full version of the leading HTML editor Allaire Homesite 3.0 for Windows. Code written in HomeSite will be hosted by NetObjects Fusion to create a complementary working environment between the two best-of-breed products.

Pricing and Availability
NetObjects Fusion 3.0 for Windows 95/NT will be available in March, 1998 at a street price of $295. Registered users of NetObjects Fusion may upgrade to Version 3.0 for $99. Customers who purchase NetObjects Fusion 2.0 between January 1, 1998 and March 31, 1998 will receive a free upgrade to NetObjects Fusion 3.0. For more information on pricing visit www.netobjects.com.

About NetObjects
NetObjects, Inc. is a privately-held company that is funded by IBM, Perseus LLC, AT&T Ventures, Norwest Venture Capital, Venrock Associates, Rae Technology LLC and private investors. NetObjects' partners include Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL), AT&T (NYSE: T), IBM (NYSE: IBM), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Netscape (NASDAQ: NSCP), and Sun Microsystems' Javasoft (NASDAQ: SUNW).