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[cs_dude]

Does anyone know of a (preferably free) software tool for Windows that
would let me record some short, narrated, videos of my desktop
demonstrating some simple/common tasks?

I am thinking I could record some basic things (creating zip folders.
compiling a program, submitting an assignment on-line, etc) and
provide links to the few students who don't know how to do this
instead of taking up useful class time (online or F2F) giving a demo
for all. Ie creating supplemental material in this manner.

thanks.

[wanna_writemore]

Techsmith offers Jing, which is a free version of Camtasia and will allow you to do screen capture and narrate.  It should do what you need as long as the 5-minute limit isn't a problem. 

[dellaroux]

1) I've used the plain-old-Accessories-option on the regular MSOffice packet with decent results, then edited it on Audacity to get rid of lead-ins, fade-outs, etc.

More recently, my new laptop had all the apparent connections for using this, but--surprise, surprise--wanted me to get a sound card (which didn't appear in the user instructions until you got BELOW the first screen line....cute....and which meant that the first set of sound recordings I did for a chant project didn't "take" (except for a weird whistling white noise)...ggrrrrr....

Fortunately a friend had set up her telephone (or iPod, dont' know which, it was under the music on her stand...) to record for backup, and that was adequate for the purposes of the moment. (There's your other option, of course.)

2) I think downloading RealPlayer may also give you recording capacity, although I can't be sure of that, haven't used it.

3) You can also use:

   http://www.roemersoftware.com/#Free-Sound-Recorder

4) And mine has recorded just fine by using the laptop's built-in mic's but you may get better sound quality by using a fairly decent external one with a small plug (do they still call them "radio plugs") to fit the input on your side panel (usually next to the headphones jack) on your computer as well. (Check Radio Shack or MicroCenter or BestBuy for those...mine's ancient, probably RS.)

You might start by using your own computer and seeing how it goes, then get more complex as need be.

[cs_dude]

Techsmith offers Jing, which is a free version of Camtasia and will allow you to do screen capture and narrate.  It should do what you need as long as the 5-minute limit isn't a problem. 

thanks a bunch for the recommendation - the 5 minute limit may be a problem possibly, but then again I
could just split things up into parts I and II etc ... plus the intent is to provide supplemental material, so
it should be short :-)

I'll check it out - thanks again!

[cs_dude]

Hi dellaroux - I am looking for both "visual" and audio recording, though your post made me think about possibly using voice-over-PowerPoint recording in some instances.

Ideally I'd be able to show them a Windows desktop, or an application in action while I manipulate it and both narrate and record it for later playback.

Thanks!

[envisioneer]

In addition to Jing, I know of two other free screencasting tools:

Screencast-O-Matic (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/). How can you not love this name?

Wink (http://www.debugmode.com/wink/)

S-O-M has a 15-minute limit, tripling Jing. Not sure about Wink, which is easy to use but I think resulting file sizes might be large.

Hope that helps!

[cs_dude]

In addition to Jing, I know of two other free screencasting tools:

Screencast-O-Matic (http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/). How can you not love this name?

Wink (http://www.debugmode.com/wink/)

S-O-M has a 15-minute limit, tripling Jing. Not sure about Wink, which is easy to use but I think resulting file sizes might be large.

Hope that helps!

Excellent, it sure does .. hadn't heard about either one before. I'll check them out for sure.

Thanks!

[magistra]

Hi dellaroux - I am looking for both "visual" and audio recording, though your post made me think about possibly using voice-over-PowerPoint recording in some instances.

Ideally I'd be able to show them a Windows desktop, or an application in action while I manipulate it and both narrate and record it for later playback.

Thanks!

For voice-over-PPt, Tegrity will work.  It may be able to handle other kinds of recording as well, but I haven't used it much so I'm not sure.

[cs_dude]

For voice-over-PPt, Tegrity will work.  It may be able to handle other kinds of recording as well, but I haven't used it much so I'm not sure.

Another product I haven't heard of before - thanks! (Doesn't Office itself provide some mechanism too for voice over?). Clearly, I still have a lot to investigate.

[dept_geek]

Check out the UW Classroom Presenter. Very cool.

http://classroompresenter.cs.washington.edu/

[cs_dude]

Check out the UW Classroom Presenter. Very cool.

http://classroompresenter.cs.washington.edu/

Thanks dept_geek .. one more to check out this weekend. I appreciate all these suggestions. If you are lurking and have ideas of your own please share. Hopefully this will be of use to others too.

Thanks!

[nordicexpat]

I would suggest screenr. It has a tie-in with twitter, but I believe you can still download without posting there. Some interesting demos and how-tos, as well.

http://screenr.com/