screenshot

IE version falls short

Quickly and easily grab screenshots and edit them with this handy Internet Explorer add-on. Although it's lacking a few of the niceties included with the version for Firefox, this freeware is still impressive.

FireShot for Internet Explorer places a nondescript button on your toolbar. The button contains a drop-down menu with options for editing and capturing screenshots, and accessing your preferences. But unlike the Firefox version, it does not include a status bar shortcut icon, which was nice for one-click access to buttons for editing, uploading, copying, and e-mailing captured screenshots. During our first go-around, we clicked the toolbar … Read more

Not picture perfect

ScreenShot does exactly what its name suggests; it takes screenshots of whatever's in view and turns them into JPEG images. Aside from its drab interface, our computer was sluggish while the program was active.

It seems that not a lot of time and energy was spent on the program's user interface. Once accessed, a small window appears on your desktop that haphazardly displays instructions, the most recent screenshot, and a cluster of buttons for editing the image. You can crop the screenshot, but the crop tool is awkward. Like any other crop tool, you have to drag the … Read more

Calling all 'bullshot' artists!

A recent job posting by Activision (found on Gamasutra) is advertising for an "Art Services Screenshot Associate." In the description, it lists how "typical end use will include screenshots for editorial, packaging, advertising, manuals and more, as needed." One of the listed duties is to perform "advanced retouching of screenshots and teach skills to others as needed."

"Bullshot"--a hybrid of screenshot and bullsh*t--is a term used for a screenshot that's been altered through Photoshop to appear a little snazzier than it actually is. Things will become a little crisper, … Read more

Take your best shot

SnagIt 9 makes screen shots as glamorous as they'll get, letting you capture any part of your screen, from a partial image to the entire contents of a scrolling window. You can grab images of Web sites and software applications or pictures from scanners and digital cameras. You even can capture video and record screen action in AVI format.

Version 9 completely overhauls the interface to bring the wide range of editing tools and effects to the surface with a simplified, icon-oriented menu structure that makes SnagIt even more flexible and easy to use. Tools to draw, resize, recolor, … Read more

More options for capturing screenshots

Vista's built-in screen capture feature performs OK, but if you want more control over your screenshots, this little utility may fit the bill.

Screen Shot Pro loads in your system tray and can be configured to run at start-up. A context menu provides options for setting up the program, taking captures, or opening the directory in which it stores captures.

This utility performed well in our tests, and was very easy to use, making it a good tool for novices. We liked that we could configure the output in JPEG, PNG, and BMP formats and could adjust the quality … Read more

Archive your Web life with ScrnShots

ScrnShots is a community for hosting screenshots. It's a companion to a desktop application that will grab and automatically upload in a similar fashion to Plasq's Skitch. Both sites have a social element, with commenting and tracking popular shots. The big difference is that ScrnShots is cross platform and will work on both Macs and PCs. You can also simply use it as an image host if you're using another screenshot utility like TechSmith's SnagIt, or OS X's Grab.

The service launched in private beta back in April, and has since opened up to everyone. … Read more

Bring thumbnails to life with SnapCasa

Ever wanted to post a screenshot or thumbnail of a Web site on your blog? Probably not. But if you're like us then this situation comes up all the time. Enter SnapCasa, a service that lets you drop in a preview of any site in one of three thumbnail sizes that will regularly update as time goes on. We debated using a service like this for this year's Webware 100 winner pages, but opted instead to use static images since seeing what Web services looked like years later can be kind of interesting (see Archive.org).

The tool … Read more

Jing Project: Easiest emergency screen captures

As a faithful corporate blogger, I take a lot of screenshots. I've mentioned that in previous roundups of screen capture apps. When I found myself at the Under the Radar conference yesterday (see all posts) without a handy screen capture installed, I quickly downloaded Jing Project, for Windows and Mac.

Jing Project, thoroughly reviewed on Webware.com, floats a sun-yellow ball to the top of the screen. Hovering over this orb produces three rays, one of which launches cross-hairs that, when dragged around content, captures the image. I love this method for high-pressure blogging, even though for everyday use … Read more

CNET Live - Episode 23 - Show Notes

We get super virtual today with our guest from VMware and a Download of the Week about virtualizing software. Watch the show on CNET TV.

Things we Crave

Sidesplitting tech comics

Belkin Dual USB power adapter

Quick Tip

How to really turn off your iPhone

Guest Pat Lee from VMware. Download of the Week

Software Virtualization Solution.

Weekend Project

Digitize your LPs: adjust the volume.

Steve Jobs offers $100 credit to iPhone purchasers.

Your calls

Get an iPhone screenshot utility.

More steps for using the iPhone screenshot utility.

Clip2Net takes your clipboard, files online

I use TechSmith's Snagit screen-capturing tool (review) on a daily basis to gather all sorts of shots for posts and archival purposes. It works great at getting those pixel-precise sizes you might be going for, along with taking a step or two out Windows' less-than-stellar built-in print screen function. Today I've been playing with a small download called Clip2Net. It's a free and simple screenshot program with built-in Web uploading for screenshots AND image files. It's not at all as advanced as Snagit, but if you're in the market for a relatively easy way to take and host screenshots, or share a roll of pictures with friends, Clip2Net is a promising hybrid solution.

Setup is simple: Just download and install the less-than-1MB file and you're good to go. You can start capturing right away, either in regions or the entire screen at a time. Registering and plugging in your login credentials lets you upload your shots to a Web folder that saves all your shots. Likewise, if you'd like to stay anonymous, Clip2Net will provide you with a URL where your shot is being hosted--although keep in mind that if you lose that URL, you won't be able to track it down again. … Read more