Confessions of an NetObjects Fusion convert

by Jennifer Stokes

The first Web pages I created were back in '95. Unlike Dot Com (eFuse.com's own web goddess, click here to read more from her), my first web pages did have a colored background and, I think, one table, but that was about it. Since then, Web page design programs have come and gone, and I have been very leery of them and the "garbage" they leave in the source code.

As a strict rule, I did all of my editing and creating by hand. As more and more neat things started becoming available, my ideas were taking me longer and longer to get organized and actually get up and running. In the meantime, my colleagues and fellow students were pumping out pages left and right with their editors. But, I was firm in my belief that the old ways are the best.

It wasn't until the summer of '98 that I got a job working in the IT (Information Technology) department of my college helping give our Web site a makeover. The first thing my new bosses told me was that I would be required to use this "really cool Web design program" (an oxymoron in my mind) to keep everything uniform and fluid. I was extremely hesitant, but thought "oh well, it's only for a couple months and I am getting paid for it" (unlike a lot of charity jobs I had been working on.)

On my first day of work in the new office, I was given a cubical, computer, and a copy of NetObjects Fusion. My boss handed me the CD and said.. "There ya go! Install it and have some fun!"

At first I was leery; I had heard a few things here and there about how great and all encompassing Fusion was. The first thing that ran through my mind was that it was going to be so complicated that it would take weeks to figure out on my own. (For the most part it looked as if I would be left to train myself.) But to my great surprise (and a lot of my friends who are NetObjects Fusion converts now, as well), I fell in love with it the first day.

The interface was so easy to understand and move around in. Even the help files were helpful (not a common quality these days.) As the week progressed and I discovered the DHTML features and Java capabilities, I was hooked. I could tell this was a romance that had the merits to last.

Since last summer, I have created several personal/informational Web sites and two commercial sites out of sheer enjoyment from using the program. I am working on getting our school newspaper on-line, and two other commercial ventures.

NetObjects Fusion makes organizing, planning, and carrying out Web site design extremely easy. Getting that "professional look" used to be hard for me, as an artist, but by using the templates and changing them to fit my customer's tastes and specifications, I have gained a feel for a more businesslike Web environment. At the same time, NetObjects Fusion allows me to make the most of my own graphics and ideas on the Web. Image splitting and positioning allow me a longer leash when it comes to making my personal site look the way I want.

In short, this is my testimony of NetObjects Fusion.

Boyfriends, jobs, and pets come and go, but I don't know where I would be without my NetObjects Fusion.

Let its praises be sung high on the mountaintops and low in the valleys! As God is my witness ... I'll never code by hand again!

(Well, that's a lie. I do like to jump into the source code just to check things out every now and then ... clean things up ... you know ... I just can't help it! At least NetObjects Fusion makes it easy to do. Maybe eFuse needs to start a support group for us old-timer html junkies?)

I've also added the free FuseLetter to my list of must-haves. Thank you! Your devoted fan,

Jennifer - gwenny

About the author

My name is Jennifer Stokes and I am a senior at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. I work in the IT department as a computer lab supervisor (this summer I was an assistant Webmaster for the college's Web site makeover) and am currently the Webmaster for the school paper, The Forum. I was recently defeated in the annual Miss I.T. pageant (by my boss) but that is OK because I love my job SOOO MUCH! I am majoring in fine arts and I love chocolate licorice and the martial arts. I can kill you five times over before you hit the ground. If Jackie Chan were a computer geek, he would be my idol. My personal Web pages are undergoing a major makeover, but if you would like to stumble through what is currently posted ... be my guest! You can also email me.