Looking for desktop recording software
 

I'm looking for desktop recording software that allows me to record my on screen activities with the purpose of creating a visual manual.

I'm a recent windows migrator so not sure what's availlable on the Mac.

Thanks,

Do you want still pictures or movies?
There are a number of screen capture keys already built into OS X.

⌘⇧3 =Save picture of screen as file
⌘⇧^3 =Copy picture of screen to clipboard
⌘⇧4 =Save picture of selected area as file
⌘⇧^4 =Copy picture of selected area to clipboard

I like ⌘⇧4 myself.

I found this somewhat confusing the first time I used it as you have to move the crosshairs to the correct window, hit the space bar and then hit the mouse button complete the capture.

Newbie silly question here.

What's the ⇧ symbol above.... and how do you make those symbols on the keyboard (ie, ⌘⇧) without having to cut and paste?

The Arrow-Up symbol means Shift.

Also, for clarification, Command-Shift-4 will turn your cursor into a crosshair—this is used for specific selection screen captures. But if you hit spacebar, the crosshair will turn into a camera icon—this is used to take full, perfect captures of windows. Hitting spacebar simply toggles between the two.

(And I's not sure how to type out those special characters either. :o )

I'll try those, I can settle with screenshots but movies would be my preference.

Cheers.

On the Mac, the standard for movie recording for tutorials and demos is Snapz Pro X.

All I have to do when using ⌘⇧4 is click and drag the crosshairs, when I release the mouse button it take the picture.
I don't have to use the space bar for anything.
Using the spacebar after using ⌘⇧4 highlight the open window. Using ⌘⇧4 alone allows you to select only what you want.

I just re-tried it. I have to use the space bar to select a window and then mouse button to complete the capture. no other combination completes the task.

I'm guessing you have a non-apple keyboard.
? = shift
^ = ctrl
? = command / apple button - either side of the space

Actually, I do have an apple keyboard. It's the fancy new wireless one.
But the buttons are labelleld
Control
Alt/Option
apple/funny symbol - none of them are labelled command.

How do you type that curly symbol? (⌘ <- that, symbol I had to cut and paste it).

"apple/funny symbol" is the command key.

⌘ = Command Key
⌥ = Option Key
⇧ = Shift Key
^ = Ctrl Key
⎋ = Esc Key
⏏ = Eject
⌫ = Delete

I only know how to access it from the Character Palette. This is accessed in almost every program menu under Edit => Special Characters. Under the by Category tab choose Symbols and then Technical Symbols. For convenience, highlight the symbol labeled "Point of Interest", then from the sprocket symbol (in the lower, lefthand corner) choose Add to Favorites.


I found the Unicode but have no idea how to insert the code to make the appropriate symbol appear.

BTW, none of my keys have those symbols on except for the apple key.

Why would Macs Power and Tbsingleton list the keys if they had both the name and symbol printed on them?

Because someone assumed that I had a non Mac keyboard :confused: :confused: :confused:

I see and I apologize if I sounded harsh. The assumption that you didn't have a Mac keyboard was illogical.

I didn't assume anything about anyone's keyboard.
I just use the actual symbols you'll find in the menus to do the task.
Look at Safari's Menu, the keys for Block Ad/Banners is ⌥⇧⌘K.
I'd rather do that then type of Option-Shift-Command-K. It's just a personal thing.

What's the difference between ⌥⇧⌘K and Option-Shift-Command-K.
Isn't that the exact same keyboard commands?

No one said you assumed anything about a keyboard, If you read the thread you will see where "Macs Power" said to me "I'm guessing you have a non apple keyboard".

I have a mac keyboard, the wireless one. It has no symbols on it, and for a mac newbie (ie, me) I have no idea what all those symbols meant when you type it. The mac wasn't very helpful either by having all the symbols for the keyboard key strokes, but not telling you what symbol means which key on the keyboard. All I wanted to know is what the symbols mean, and how do you type them.

I am terribly sorry for taking up all your time and asking such a dumb question. Sheeesh!
Apologies to the original thread starter for the diversion.

Yes, they are the same command, just a differnt way or writing them.

I just wanted to point out I didn't use the sysmbols for any other reason than it's just the way I posted it.

I don't use the keyboard to type the symbols, I type the HTML code for the symbol and when it gets posted it shows up as the symbol.
ex. & # 8 9 8 4 ; = ⌘ or the Command Key.
type the above with out the spaces to see the symbol when posted.
You can google for all the HTML codes for any key or symbol.

Never a dumb question.

iShowU
 

Take a look at iShowU (http://ishowu.cloudnine.net.nz/iShowU/Home.html). It's free and is quite customizable in it's options, yet IMHO is simple enough to use.