Adobe Connect Blog

Here is a simple script you can add to your browser (FireFox or IE) that pops-up a dialog box to enter only the name of the room, not the entire server path. No more having to type in the full URL.
So for example, my personal meeting room is my.adobe.acrobat.com/dave and everyone else’s here at Adobe also starts with “my.adobe.acrobat.com/”. With this shortcut I can just type what comes after the /. That’s a savings of 21 keystrokes! What a magical time we live in. Productivity galore.
Alright, enough preamble. Here’s how to do it:
IE:
1. Create a new bookmark for your Connect server. Note that if you are on our hosted service, this URL will something like yourcompanyname.acrobat.com. If you are a licensed customer it will be whatever your account adminstrator chose.
2. Right click on the bookmark, select “Properties”.
3. On the General tab, rename it to “Connect to a Room” or whatever.
4. On the Web Document tab, paste the following into the URL field, and be sure to alter the placeholder URL path I have below with your server path:

javascript:(function(){q=document.selection.createRange().text;if(\!q)q=prompt(‘ Enter Acrobat Connect Room ID:’,”); if(q)location.href=’http://yourservername.whatever.com/’+escape(q);})()

Note: IE 6 will tell you that there’s no program to handle javascript. Say “Yes” to keep it anyway
Firefox:
1. Create a new bookmark for Connect server. As mentioned in the IE instructions above, if you are on our hosted service, this URL will something like yourcompanyname.acrobat.com. If you are a licensed customer it will be whatever your account adminstrator chose.
2. Right click on the bookmark, select “Properties”.
3. In the Name field, rename it to “Connect to a Meeting Room” or whatever you like.
4. Paste the following into the Location field, and alter the placeholder URL to your actual URL:

javascript:(function(){q=document.getSelection();if(!q)q=prompt(‘ Enter Acrobat Connect Room ID:’); if(q)location.href=’http://yourservername.whatever.com/’+escape(q);})()

Amy Brooks, manager of Adobe Connect Event Services, provides the following guidelines for ensuring a successful presentation experience:

Internet Connection/Audio: 

1. Directly connect to the fastest internet connection available
2. No wireless, no exceptions!  Wireless connections frequently disconnect, so in order to ensure no interuptions, use a hard-wired connection.
3. Shut down Email/IM and any programs NOT being used for the presentation.
4. Shut down any VPNs.
5. If using a telephone for audio, use a handset or quality headset, no speakerphone as it will cause voice fluctuations and background audio will be picked up during the recording.

Presentation:

1. Have programs that you are screen sharing open to the appropriate window and ready to demonstrate – avoid launching and logging into programs.
2. Turn off computer “sleep” especially if a re-log in is required.
3. Optimize room bandwidth to DSL, regardless of your setting -
   1. In a Acrobat Connect Meeting, at the top of the screen click on MEETING/Optimize Room Bandwidth/DSL
4. Room screen resolution recommendation = 1024 x768. Please note if you are using a very large screen, the optimum settings may be 800 x 600. It’s best to experiment prior to the actual meeting.
   1. In a Acrobat Connect Meeting, at the top of the screen click on MEETING/Room Screen Resolution/1024×768
5. Optical Moderation – Avoid quickly moving cursor’s, polls, windows, anything viewable to participants. This could be a poor experience for some of your participants who may be on really slow connections and/or computers.
6. Pre-load and rehearse your presentation! Make sure that all animations, videos, and screen shares are working as you anticipate PRIOR to your live meeting.
7. Have FUN!! Remember, your audience is live and they will enjoy a lively and fun presentation.

Have other tips?  Please provide comments so that we can share with other users.

Traveling on Valentine’s Day? Surprise your loved one with a live or pre-recorded Valentine’s e-card using Acrobat Connect Professional. By taking advantage of the product’s flexibility and customization capabilities, you can use the Camera and Voice pod along with an Adobe Presenter presentation to make a customized e-card to share with that special someone.
Other ways you can use Acrobat Connect Professional to send a Valentine’s Day Message:
* Create a special room background by uploading a jpeg or swf (1024X670)
* Share Pictures through the share pod
* Set the mood with a song by uploading one in the share pod
* Make plans together for a post Valentine’s date by sharing your screen and searching Yahoo! local.
* Have your kids draw a Valentine’s day card using the whiteboard feature.
The only thing Acrobat Connect Professional can’t do is order flowers (yet…)!
(This helpful tip brought to you buy Ryan Monger (aka. Cupid), who works on Conferencing Services at Adobe and saves relationships worldwide)

Acrobat Connect Professional Road Show

Acrobat Connect Professional is coming to a city near you!  Don’t miss this opportunity to see the product in-person, ask questions and interact with Adobe Experts. http://www.eventsadobe.com/acro/index.html  to see the list of cities and register.