Tools

Free tools let you record on-screen video

There are probably going to be times when you need to record your screen.  (No, we're not talking about just a screen capture.  To do that, all you have to do is press your 'Prt Scr' key to copy the screen to the Clipboard, then Paste it into a document or graphics program like Paint.)  This allows you to record video and sound, if you like, just like someone is looking over your shoulder.

Clients have needed to share what is happening on their screens, for instance, and as they say, a picture is certainly worth a thousand words.

Fortunately, there are some free and easy-to-use tools out there for handling this.  The one I use is called Jing and you'll find it here:

http://www.techsmith.com/jing

I like it but there's another tool that appears to be very similar and it comes highly recommended by others:

http://screencast-o-matic.com/

Of course each of them has a premium version, but you don't need it to do most anything discussed here.  If you decide to upgrade though for the added features, it surely won't break the bank as they cost no more than $15/year.

What I recommend is to pick one, try it out and you'll be hooked.  Then if you need a tool for recording what you're doing, you're good to go.  You can use it for:

• tech support (to help others or to pass your info to others helping you)
• creating short tutorials to train employees or contractors how you want something handled
• marketing to promote your business

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