A Prototypical Story
The scenario goes something like this: the content editor is on the phone with her layout artist, trying to describe changes she needs in the margins, or the colors, or the positioning of one of the text regions. Using just words, without a shared view, the communication is vague and inefficient. Instead, the editor says, "Hey, let's jump into my ConnectNow room - go to connect.acrobat.com/contenteditor (every Acrobat.com user gets his or her own unique meeting room - free).

In the amount of time it takes to type in the URL, plus a few extra seconds for the application to load, the two are together in the ConnectNow room. The content editor shares her screen and in less than a minute, the two are looking at the same layout. The editor then uses the annotation tool to identify and markup the areas of the layout that need attention.

The entire process could take less than five minutes, and instead of a pile of inexact notes between the two, the layout artist knows exactly what needs to be done. And, in case the point eluded your notice, the service is free.

People are Noticing
ConnectNow gets mentioned in most of the very positive reviews on CS4. Others have observed this free and useful utility as well, in its own right.

The author of a blog entitled Darkmotion remarked, "This web app is seriously the most handy dandy screen sharing app I’ve come across in a long time- and it’s free!

The Third Error blog, a "a weblog dedicated to providing easy to understand tutorials about computers and technology, " exclaimed that ConnectNow was "by far offering the easiest method to holding a meeting online." This blog also includes an extensive and very useful tutorial on how to use ConnectNow, complete with screen shots. Definitely worth a look if you're interested in learning more about the service.

Other good references appear elsewhere, for example: "Adobe ConnectNow: How to Save a Web Meeting", and "Good Stuff: Adobe ConnectNow"

So what's the downside? There's no reason to delay - get a free Acrobat.com account and connect - now!