Adobe Acrobat Connect Formerly Macromedia Breeze
Creating Presentations, Training Materials, Web Conferencing, More
Sep 28, 2008
Adobe Acrobat Connect (formerly Macromedia Breeze) is software used to create information and general presentations, online training materials, web conferencing, learning modules, and user desktop sharing. Adobe Acrobat Connect is part of the Adobe Acrobat family. The recommended database for backend support is Microsoft SQL Server.
The software can be licensed as an installed product or a hosted product. Additionally, the software is entirely Adobe Flash based. All meeting workspaces are organized into 'pods'; with each pod performing a specific role (i.e. chat, whiteboard, note taking, etc.).
The former Macromedia Breeze included four applications: Breeze Presenter, Breeze Training, Breeze Meeting, and Breeze Events. Following the acquisition by Adobe, Macromedia Breeze Meeting is now rebranded as Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional, and includes rebranded versions of Breeze Training, Breeze Meeting and Breeze Events.
Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional Features
Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional has these features:
- Adobe Connect Training – web-based training modules
- Adobe Connect Events – online training and conferences
- Adobe Presentations – online and offline training materials
- Unlimited and customizable meeting rooms for groups or individual users
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for digital sound
- Video and Audio integration
- Computer screen sharing, note taking, chatting, and white boarding
- User management, administration, and reporting
Online participants are only required to have Adobe Flash Player on their computer, which is pre-loaded on most computers purchased today.
When Adobe Acrobat Connect files are saved for publishing on the Internet, they are saved as Shock Wave Flash (SWF) files easily recognizable by Adobe Flash Player.
Adobe Acrobat Connect Physically Challenged Features
When using Adobe Acrobat Connect with Microsoft Power Point a microphone can be used to record the words on each slide to allow those who are sight challenged to hear the presentation.
This provides what is termed as text equivalents. Not only can sound be used for text equivalents, visual reader adaptations can also be made for those who are hearing impaired.
For Internet versions or use for presentations to physically challenged individuals, transitions in the slide, such as sweeping a bullet in from the top, should be avoided. When a transition occurs the voice recording will begin to repeat the whole slide over again.
Similarly, it is a good idea to avoid the use of animations, unless they can be described, along with what is being displayed on the slide.
Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional Business Features
The advantage of Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional is that it allows businesses to:
- Prepare customized presentations for multiple locations to save on expensive software and hardware applications
- Poll participants at multiple locations for responses to questions and feedback
- Maintain a central library of training, conferences, and meeting for archival purposes
Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional Higher Education Features
Professors can prepare presentations to be placed on websites designed to meet the needs of physical handicapped students. Not only can text equivalents be used, visual reader adaptations can be used for those who are hearing impaired.
Other considerations for use include:
- Conduct quizzes on line for multiple locations at the same time using the polling technique for responses.
- Conduct online surveys for multiple locations using the polling technique
- Available for all computer operating systems
The versatility of Adobe Acrobat Connects (formerly Macromedia Breeze) impressive upgrades provides the flexibility to hold web-based meetings, conferences, and training for multiple locations at the same.
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