Whether it is a "how-to on using a web application" or "describing the steps of creating a Photoshop effect", words are sometimes not enough.
With the help of screencasts (screen recording), it can be possible to better describe/demonstrate a computer-related product or service. And, it spreads faster as anyone can easily embed the video (if supported) to any website.
Here is a collection of 10 free screen recording softwares for creating attractive screencasts:
CamStudio
CamStudio is an open source screen recorder software which can record every screen and audio activity on a computer & create industry-standard AVI video files or bandwidth-friendly Streaming Flash videos (SWF).
O.S.: Windows
Jing
Jing can both take screenshots & capture a screen as videos. It is possible to add textboxes, arrows or rectangles to highlight spots.
It can send the generated outputs to Screencast.com, Flickr, a FTP account, Twitter & more.
With a microphone, you can record audio with the video as well.
O.S.: Windows, Mac OS X
Webineria
This is a very easy-to-use open source software to create screencasts.
It records the screen as an .AVI file & offers an option to create .FLV file from it. With the help of hotkeys, it is possible to start-pause & stop recording.
A great feature is, it can combine another video input (like webcam) with thescreen recording process.
O.S.: Windows
Wink
Wink is a tutorial and presentation creation software which can capture screenshots & enables you to add explanation boxes, buttons, titles & more.
It supports various output formats like .EXE, .FLV, .HTML, etc.
O.S.: Windows, Linux
UltraVNC Screen Recorder
UltraVNC Screen Recorder is based-on CamStudio source with updates to improve the performance.
It supports both audio & screen capturing.
O.S.: Windows
Windows Media Encoder
Windows Media Encoder is a powerful application for capturing audio and video content with high-quality multichannel sound, high-definition video quality, and support for mixed-mode voice and music content.
You may find this helpful: Getting Started with Screen Capture Using Windows Media Encoder.
O.S.: Windows
BB FlashBack Express
BB FlashBack Express is the free version of some other advanced series. It can record from a video source, screen & audio.
It can export to AVI or FLV & has integrated support for direct uploading to the popular video sharing websites.
O.S.: Windows
CaptureFox (Firefox add-on)
CaptureFox is a Firefox add-on which can record screens frame-by-frame to create tutorials. It also supports audio recording.
O.S.: All major operating systems
uTIPu TipCam
TipCam, besides the standard screen recording with audio & video, has various features like:
- has AVI & FLV support
- audio can be re-recorderd
- beginning & end parts can be trimmed
- video can zoom to the mouse cursor with smart zooming
- ability to draw free-style during recording
O.S.: Windows
Krut
This is a tiny Java application (works on many platforms) for creating screencasts.
Krut records movie files of selected parts of your screen in the quicktime mov format, including sound. The program has an intuitive and compact user interface.
O.S.: All major operating systems