Before Etherpad, I solved the problems it solves by various expedients like publishing drafts on my private web server, putting stuff on wikis, and exchanging drafts by email.

Etherpad is a bigger deal than people realize yet. It's one of those things you don't understand till you try it. I myself didn't. I put off trying their first beta for weeks, and then within about 2 minutes of trying it I got it.