The second Fusion is coming

In conjunction with the Web '97 conference, NetObjects today released Fusion 2.0 for Windows, the second version of its Web publishing tool.

Fusion 2.0 makes its debut at a time when the Web-pub tool market is starting to segment itself into lower-priced, end-user programs--such as Claris HomePage and Adobe PageMill, which retail for about $100--and more sophisticated tools such as Fusion and Macromedia Backstage Internet Studio in the $500 range.

Fusion 2.0 lets Web designers import entire sites, including links. It also allows users to set design parameters, such as a logo in the left-hand corner of every page of a site.

NetObjects will also publish the Fusion APIs to let third-party developers write small applications, or components, that extend Fusion's functionality, similar to Netscape Navigator plug-ins. A few sample components such as a ticker tape are shipping with Fusion 2.0, but the company would not say when the APIs will be published.

In addition, the company has made news recently with an executive shakeup that brought ex-Apple CEO John Sculley to its board of directors and a new round of private financing.

Fusion 2.0 retails for $495; version 2.0 for Macintosh is due in the second quarter, the company said.