You’ve probably already seen some of the forum users post screen captures to show problems, suggest ideas, etc.
If you didn’t already know how, this tip is to 
empower you!
For this initial post, I’ll cover the Windows operating system. If someone has experience with Mac, feel free to join in!
There are several applications you can use to capture the screen. Three good ones are:
- Windows Snipping Tool … this one is free and included with Windows
- ShareX (getsharex.com) … this one is free and open-source. It’s the one I personally use.
- SnagIt (www.techsmith.com) … this one costs quite a bit of money
All three of the above apps can take “pictures” of the screen, as well as record the screen. The captures can then be saved to your computer and uploaded (such as to the RootsMagic forum).
- Pictures are helpful if you just want to show what you’re seeing on the screen. You can capture the whole screen or just a small part … whichever is most useful.
- Recordings are very helpful if you’re trying to show someone the actual actions you’re taking. For example, if you are clicking on a button and it’s popping up a warning message or you’re trying to teach someone a technique.
Here’s what the Windows Snipping Tool interface looks like.
Depending on which app you use, it will look a little different but will have similar capabilities.
You can control whether you’re taking a picture (the camera icon) or a recording (the video camera icon). You can also control how much area gets captured (the little triangle with the plus in the corner). The icon that looks like a clock lets you set a delay before the capture begins. That can be helpful if you have to get to the screen and click something before it snaps. (Think of it like setting the delay on your camera before you run and get in a group picture at a party.)
Once you’ve made the screen capture, the app may save it automatically or you may need to save it yourself. It will depend on what app you use. (I know for certain that both Snipping Tool and ShareX can be set to automatically save if you like.)
To upload your screen capture to the RM forums … while you’re typing your message, you can click the ‘upload’ button. It will open the familiar file dialog box and let you browse to the place where you saved the screen capture or recording.
If you’re doing a screen recording to upload to the RM forum, you should save it as a .GIF file. That’s a type of animated picture. Here’s an example of what the results look like. Looks like a video but it’s a much smaller file:
I hope this tip will help you get your point across more easily.
Thank you. And for the ‘like too’. You’re very kind.
