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Adobe Connect FAQ

Beginning the Fall 2008 semester UCF began to offer licenses for Adobe Connect to UCF faculty and staff. We've gathered some questions about Connect and how it is used at UCF. These are by no means the only questions but are some of the more common ones so far. If you have others, feel free to contact Don Merritt or Katrise Richard-Dillon.

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

What is Adobe Connect?

Adobe Connect is a program in Adobe's Acrobat line of software that allows you to collaborate over the internet. Acrobat Connect Pro allows you to host live, on-line meetings from anywhere in the world using only your web browser. You can share your computer screen; create whiteboards; text, audio and video chat; and several other functions all through your browser window. You can also easily upload Flash and PowerPoint files to share with others in your meeting. The idea is to bring web tools together in one place to allow you to do more work with less hassle.

 

When should I use Connect Pro?

You can use Connect Pro any time you need to share your desktop with others, take collaborative notes for a team meeting, or share a piece of content with somebody else who is in another location. You should always include a Connect Pro URL when you are hosting a meeting with remote attendees, or any time you set up a conference call.

 

Is this just for faculty use?

Not at all! Connect is used in a variety of ways including help desk support, recruiting and other sorts of collaboration when face-to-face doesn't always work or isn't feasible. Feel free to contact us with questions as to how Connect might fit into your workflow or save your office or department travel costs.

 

Does someone have to be a registered Connect Pro User to attend my meeting?

No. Only the meeting host needs to have a license. Each host can have up to 100 people in their meeting rooms. The host invites people to their meetings by sending them a unique URL for each meeting room. Invitees will be asked to enter in a Guest name before gaining access to the meeting. Hosts may also choose to approve each guest before they can see the content of the meeting.

 

Do I have to recreate my meeting room every time I want to use it?

No. Once you create a meeting room, it exists until the you delete it. Your meeting room is available 24/7 always at the same URL you assigned the room. Many people create a "personal" meeting room with an easy to remember URL that they can share via an instant message or over the phone for instant, ad-hoc meetings.

 

What do I need to use Connect?

Adobe Connect uses Adobe Flash. At a minimum you need a modern web browser with a current version of Flash installed. Flash is one of the most popular browser plugins in the world and is already installed on most computers.

To host a Connect Pro Meeting, you will need to install a lightweight plug-in called the Connect Add-In. The Add-In allows you to upload files, share your screen, and have improved Voice-over-IP for meeting audio. The Add-In is available for Windows and Macintosh users. You can download and install the Connect Add-In on the Connect Pro Downloads page. You can test to see if your computer is ready to host a meeting by testing your meeting connection.

While you can use a webcam to share audio and video it is not required to participate in or host a meeting. A broadband internet connection is recommended but dial-up can be used with a loss of some functions (especially audio and video). Adobe Connect can even be used over a wireless connection (with audio and video).

For more detailed system requirements, see Adobe's Acrobat Connect Pro System Requirements.

 

What types of files can I share in my meeting room?

You can upload PowerPoint (PPT), Flash (SWF), Image (JPEG), or Flash Video (FLV) files from your computer into a Share pod. These files are then also uploaded to the server and can be accessed in future meetings. PowerPoint files are converted to Adobe Presenter Presentations (SWF files). If you update your original PowerPoint file, you must re-upload the file to get the new changes. If you would like to share other file types such as Word Documents you can simply open the document on your local computer and share your desktop.

 

Is this a replacement for Webcourses?

Adobe Connect is not being offered as a replacement for any teaching modality currently in use at UCF. It is not the same kind of Learning Management System as is provided by Blackboard. However, Connect can be used to supplement your online and face-to-face classes in a variety of ways.
 
For instance Dr. Rudy McDaniel in the Department of Digital Media used Connect with Webcourses in his Information Architecture graduate class to assist students with programming assignments outside of the class meeting time. Connect allowed Dr. McDaniel to review the code of their assignments and also allowed students to collaborate in real time to solve problems. Anyone can share their computer screen so instead of describing a problem, it can be demonstrated.

 

How does this hosted licensing work?

We are using Adobe's servers to host our meetings. When you purchase a license you are given a link to log into your account under UCF's services. As a Host you can create as many meetings as you like and as many as 100 people can participate in each meeting. Your participants do not need to have a Connect account of their own - you can set the permissions for your meeting rooms to allow anyone in or only people that you invite.
 
As a requirement of your license, though, you must be logged into the meeting in order for it to run - you cannot start a meeting and then log out. If you do the meeting ends for everyone when you leave, whether they have a Connect account or not. Licenses cannot be purchased for a department or organization - a single user's name must be associated with the license and their information will be tied to that account.

 
How do I get a license?

Licenses can be purchased through the UCF Computer Store. UCF's licenses renew on September 1 of each year.

 
How do I get trained and started?

One of the advantages to Connect is that there is a large community of enthusiastic users ready to share their knowledge of the system. For instance, the Adobe Connect Users Group (http://connectusers.com) has tons of resources for those new to Connect and those who have been using it for a while. We strongly encourage everyone interested in Connect to visit their website for examples of best practices, applications for it's use, troubleshooting tips, etc.

If you prefer self-paced training you can begin with the Getting Started with Connect Pro presentation. If you want to take more in depth product training, you can visit the Connect Pro Resource Center on adobe.com. There are also online training sessions offered every Monday free to UCF staff and faculty through our vendor.
   
Not all of our support is off campus! Direct support for Connect is provided on campus by the Office of Instructional Resources. We are available by appointment to help you set up your account and to adapt the meeting space to your particular needs. With advance notice, demos of the technology or group training sessions are also available. Please contact Don Merritt or Katrise Richard-Dillon to set up an appointment.

 

What if I have a problem with Connect Pro?

For assistance with Connect Pro issues contact Don Merritt or Katrise Richard-Dillon in the Office of Instructional Resources. Most issues are resolved by them. If they cannot resolve your issue they can contact the Adobe support team.