Originally introduced in January 1998 in U.S. English, the latest version of NetObjects' award-winning Web authoring software is now available to European site builders in their own language, simplifying the process of creating e-business sites. The local language versions of NetObjects Fusion 3.0 illustrate NetObjects' commitment to evolve into a global company and address the needs of site-builders worldwide.

"Europe has a large and thriving community of Web site builders and we are committed to meeting their needs by delivering our flagship product in their native languages," said Ken Parkinson, European sales and marketing director, NetObjects, Inc. "The international version of NetObjects Fusion 3.0 is a powerful solution that allows our international customers to work the way they want to work and standardise on one product for their company's Web development needs across Europe - irrespective of language differences."

NetObjects Fusion 3.0 builds upon NetObjects' pioneering, site-oriented, visual approach to creating Web sites. The innovative product offers site builders an open site-building environment, providing unparalleled flexibility and choice to easily lay out 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. NetObjects Fusion 3.0 fulfils the needs of site-builders building interactive and dynamic business Web sites.

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 products 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 codes 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 codes.

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 first 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 customise scripts using scripts editors like Acadia Infuse is provided for advanced site developers.

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 everywhere." The product provides authors menu-based options to easily publish sites or portions of sites that:

• Run on all browsers
• Are optimised for Netscape Communicator 4.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0.
• Are optimised for a particular 2.x, 3.x or 4.0 browser.
• 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.

NFX components can also let advanced users add connectivity to a variety of databases, commerce servers and other application servers. Simply by placing pre-build components onto a page, site builders can dynamically publish information from databases and handle credit card orders. Components that provide connectivity to Allaire Cold Fusion, Lotus Domino, Netscape Livewire and Microsoft Active Server Pages are available through a special pro-pack geared towards advanced users of NetObjects Fusion 3.0.

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 Trial Availability
Customers should contact their local distributor or reseller for pricing in their market. Visit the NetObjects Web site at www.netobjects.com for information about upgrades. NetObjects Fusion 3.0 Windows 95/NT French and German trial versions will be ready to download at www.netobjects.com/download beginning the 19th of October, 1998.