Printer Friendly Version

Adobe Acrobat is on the march. With its last version, it went from being simply a great universal document format to one that can hold a variety of documents simultaneously. And now with version 8, currently in beta, it's no longer just a document format -- it's a platform.

Acrobat Connect

Version 8 will introduce a new product to the Acrobat line, Acrobat Connect. Connect is a simple videoconferencing tool that aims to make holding online meetings as foolproof as Acrobat makes exchanging documents. Connect will come in two versions, Connect and Connect Pro. That second one is a rebranded, improved version of Macromedia Breeze, which Adobe acquired when it bought the company last year.

There is no shortage of videoconferencing tools around, but the highlight of Connect is its simplicity. Connect makes it a no-brainer to create an online meeting space and invite others into it. The Pro version includes integrated audio and more customization options than the basic version. Neither version, however, will include built-in phone conferencing. Look for Connect to sell for $395 per year or $39 per month, while Connect Pro will likely start at around $15,000 for a typical configuration. Adobe PR wasn't able to tell us what that price includes or what extra fees users will encounter, so inquire on your own if you're interested.

Acrobat 8

Acrobat 8 Professional will include some handy new features for people who need to combine several documents into one PDF. A new startup wizard guides you through the process, and lets you select individual sheets or pages from your documents, instead of simply including the entire document. The program works on both Windows and Macintosh PCs, but only Windows users will get a visual preview when selecting pages.

Users will also be able to view the file size of the PDF before saving, then make adjustments. If you want a small PDF for e-mailing, adjust the size down; if you'll be printing from it, raise the setting for higher quality.

Adobe Acrobat 8 will include a new startup screen that guides users through the program's various options.

Go to page: 1 2

Printer Friendly Version