How to make a screencast

Screenshot it’s a digital recording of computer screens, full screens or screen regions and usually comes with audio narration to describe on-screen actions. The term screencast dates back to 2004 with an interesting history.

In 2004, a columnist Jon Udell invited the readers of his blog to propose names for the emerging genre. In all suggested terms, Udell selected screenshot, which was proposed by both Joseph McDonald and Deeje Cooley. Their “heavy metal umlauts” screencast is a well-known example, which explains how Wikipedia works.

http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/gems/umlauts.html

Since then, the term screen has become known to more people and the use of screencasts has become more popular. Currently, the new screencast trend is making documentaries from software-based social networking services like Wikipedia, del.icio.us. or dig.

In this article

1.Types of screen transmission

2. Screen casting tools

3. Guidelines for making a screencast

Types of screenshots

1. Product Tutorials:

The screencast tells users how to use a software application or service by showing on-screen introductions. There is usually a recorded voiceover to walk through the steps.
Look at the examples to be continued.

Web cracking in 10 minutes

[http://userportal.iha.dk/~02882/Whoppix-wepcrack.swf]

2. Brief procedure:

This type of screencast is usually short and shows a simple guide or provides tips and tricks to solve a small problem or dig deeper into a product feature.

See example below

Better use of the Windows search function

http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/2005/01/25.html#a1157

3. Conversational Demonstrations:

Conversational demos focus more on conversion than screens. There are usually two voices for the screen. Often one asks about the screen and another gives the answer.

4. Software revision:

If you are asked to write a review of the software, you can always do a screencast to highlight some features.

5. User produced demo:

Some software applications are difficult to use and sometimes you have some unexpected problems. Doing a screencast to explain will help you a lot when you talk to tech support. You can even do a troubleshooting demo to share with your friends and family.

Of course, there are more types that have not been included in this article yet.

Screen projection tools:

1. For Windows users

Windows Media Encoder – Free but high system requirements

http://www.videohelp.com/tools/Windows_Media_Encoder

Wondershare DemoCreator – Flash Based Screen Recorder

http://www.sameshow.com/demo-creator.html

2. For Mac users

Snapz Pro X

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/

Guidelines for making a screencast

1. Know what you want to present

First, you’ll need to have an idea of ​​what you’ll be presenting, and you’ll need to figure out which platform to use. Knowing your purposes for doing a screecast is the first to come.

2. Make it happen

Always to make a real and substantial staged screencast. For example, it is for software demo or network monitor, then work with software or live network.

Of course, for logistical or security reasons, this is not always possible. But the more real we can make it, the better.

3. Interactivity is important

Interactivity draws viewers throughout the demo. If your screecast is just screen by screen, your viewers will leave soon. You can and I would say you should record narration or insert background music into the screencast. Generally, some screen casting tools like DemoCreator allow you to add some visual aids to the captured screens, such as callouts, shapes, annotation buttons, and animated images. Keep in mind that when a screencast is interactive, it will engage viewers in a conversation that takes them into unexpected areas.