NetObjects Fusion 9 ( + $100 ) - 4 Free

[wdhpr]

Hi I came across this on 4 free on the internet. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this software. Some of the information I have seen seems to indicate is pretty good. I have used dreamweaver the trial version and it was great while it lasted

Does this software integrate with wampserver? Or can it be used in its place?
Would this work better than CMSmadeSimple?

What I do know is I need to learn allot more about this stuff. LOL


Thanks

Wdhpr

[chris.p]

It's like Dreamweaver, a way of building HTML page websites. I haven't used it in a long time but 5 years ago it was one of the top 3 visual web authoring apps - NetObjects, Dreamweaver and SiteSpinner.

It's a one-way app that works in real code then exports to HTML (or it was at that time). This means it's easier to work with than a native-HTML app like Dreamweaver. However that system means it's also very poor at importing HTML pages and working with them (or it was).

Like Dreamweaver, you build your web pages then FTP them up to the server. It's a good system if you have a lot of time to learn how to use the app; if you have a very small site; or if you are a pro and use it every day, as it won't be so hard to get good results then, as it will be for most people.

It's a step backward if you know how to use database-driven webapps like WordPress or CMS-MS though. You can get a bigger, better site up there in a fraction of the time using a CMS. I can't advise going back to the HTML web page system except for building 1 to 6 page microsites - although for that purpose it's vital.

[wdhpr]

Hey thanks Chris.p

So its for building an HTML site like dreamweaver. Well that's not too bad at all, because I half-way know what I'm doing with software like this. Know just enough to be dangerous LOL.

I am still working with CMS-MS and I believe this will end up being the method I use when I rebuild my website. I am still trying to figure out templates and tables at this point. Mainly because I have been playing hookie and not studying the excellent tutorials available on the web

Update

Ok I just got done checking this software out. It blows away Kompozer. (which I really like Kompozer). It has the bells and whistles of dreamweaver and more default templates to choose from as I recall. Those thinking of building their own HTML website. Get this! Can be found here. .
The process is somewhat involved and will require registration, but from what I can see this is quality software.


Cheers
Wdhpr

[George]

I stayed away from it. I heard the code it produces is too proprietary and not W3C compliant.

[wdhpr]

Hello George

Always good to hear from ya.

So it saves its project in its own format..... Its propriety format...... Fair enough, as long as it can export to HTML. Wsc compliant. I interpret that as a code standard. My question is? In accordance with what? Is this a globally excepted standard? LOL...... The "w" ....That wouldn't stand for World...would it.
I am a bit weary of standards.

just curious
Wdhpr

[George]

Hi,

nope, what I meant is that I heard it does create HTML, but that HTML code is not W3C compliant, meaning it will fail validation. Only because most browsers are so forgiving they display the pages anyways...
If I remember correctly some extra features need some extra interperter installed on the web server (but not sure about that)...

[Jojoyee]

It's quite a surprise that some well known websites do not pass through W3C markup or CSS validation.
See: List of markup validation for common websites

A validation on TSA homepage shows 32 Errors and 8 warnings. (Encoding: Auto detect, Doctype: Auto detect.)
Any ideas?

Validation Services:
W3C Markup Validation Service
W3C CSS Valiation Service
W3C Link Checker

[George]

My experience is that as soon as HTML code is generated automatically it is very common that it does not validate.

In our case it is Drupal. Even though you can edit your own templates in Drupal for example, it is embedded in code that Drupal generates. And yes, it is faulty. That also goes for Joomla and other CMSs as well.

Also the local GUI-s with which you can create website, beginning with Frontpage, Dreamweaver, Cold Fusion etc. it always was that way.

I personally write all my code manually and whenever possible validate it before I publish it.

If you want to use a program to generate your site I recommend to review the code after it is done and change those bugs manually if you can.

[chris.p]

Validation is one of the quality factors that a website can be built to accord with. It depends what your aspirations are. If you want the best quality possible, or if you want to have a successful website, then code validation is a factor.

In general, old web authoring apps, virtually all ecommerce software, virtually all forum software, many commercial CMS, and some open-source CMS all produce poor-quality code that does not validate and also has other faults such as on-page JavaScript, or too much scripting of other kinds.

Many new or updated web authoring apps, most open-source CMS, and some high-quality commercial CMS can all produce high-quality code.

Good code validates to one of the 4 most common standards, which range in quality from the best, down to the lowest acceptable quality:
xHTML Strict
HTML Strict
xHTML Loose (aka Transitional)
HTML Loose (Transitional)

A CMS that validates to xHTML Strict is the highest-quality of all, though these are currently rare.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the core application may well output perfect code, but low-quality templates or modules can easily wreck it.

That is what has happened on this site, we need a better template so that the code comes out green at the W3C, then it's much easier to spot when something is added that causes a fail.

Some people spend a lot of time getting their code perfect, others don't worry at all. It's just one factor among a hundred you could look at. If you think quality and web standards compliance are desirable, then you'll work on this aspect.

[wdhpr]

A CMS that validates to xHTML Strict is the highest-quality of all, though these are currently rare.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the core application may well output perfect code, but low-quality templates or modules can easily wreck it.

If I was to form a simplistic analogy from those two statements, my sons room comes to my mind. If he only kept thing put in the right place in a neat and orderly way. He would have a much easier time finding things when he needs them. He would more easy spot that his play station has come unplugged.... etc etc

Trying to marry the main web site with the forum has obviously presented its own challenges IE: the log on and off issues. Understanding those issues are well out my league but as a thinker I have to reason that the code has to be clean and in compliance with some standard from which all browsers have the ability to interpret as well as interact with the website correctly.

As mentioned there is a set of code standards:

xHTML Strict
HTML Strict
xHTML Loose (aka Transitional)
HTML Loose (Transitional)

xHTML and HTML
Basically Two types. To me this seems to be a problem in itself.
Who makes these standards? Is there an agreed upon global standard?
Sort of like a open source that provides the blueprint for these standards? IE: (Firefox) for example.

If I was to use netobjects fusion9 to rebuild my site. Could I not go back over it and fix any coding issues by using http://www.w3.org/ ?

One more question. by using strict adherence to coding standards would this also make my site more secure?

Cheers
Wdhpr