Cam Studio - Create Tutorials on Your Computer with Audio

I love to find new cool fun tools to use on my computer and I like it even more when I find a tool that is useful and totally free. Well this time I found Camstudio, a tool that allows you to record everything you are doing on your computer, which can be a great way to create computer tutorials. Microsoft has a tool that can do this but it isn't as easy to use and doesn't have as many options so I stuck with Camstudio. You can get your own copy here (http://sourceforge.net/projects/camstudio).

So what exactly is Camstudio and what can it do for you? Well it's a very simple program that allows you to capture video of everything on your computer screen and synchronize it with audio, either from a microphone or from an audio file or even your speakers. The program runs very well and has a lot of options so you have control over what you want Camstudio to do. Camstudio is very easy to use, any user should be able to use Camstudio; it might take a minute or two to get familiar with the controls but once you do you can create videos easily.

Another thing I like about Camstudio is that there isn't a limit to the size of your videos that you create you can keep recording until you fill up your hard drive. This can help if you are creating a very long and in depth tutorial for someone. I have been using Camstudio to create desktop tutorials for the users on my network; these simple videos have saved me loads of time. I get an email asking about how to find a file and I send them a video to watch, after they see the video they know what to do and I don't have to spend my time dealing with little pesky problems. The uses are limitless I find new ways to use the program almost daily, my wife's parents aren't very computer literate and they needed to know how to disable their network card and re-able it, using Camstudio I sent them a video how to and in no time their problem was fixed.

Camstudio is a simple installation which is good for novice users, once installed you can use the program right away without much alteration to Camstudio. I just changed the screen size to full screen and started to make recordings. You also must enable sound recording if you want to have audio with your video, it is turned to off by default.

After just a few settings changes you will be making some great screen capture recordings. The quality of the video is what shocked me and you can choose from two formats, either AVI or SWF. AVI is a more standard video format and SWF is if you want it to be in a flash format for publication to a website. Both video types have great video quality and they are both easy to use and view. I would prefer SWF if I were putting the video on the web, its just easier than embedding an AVI file in the webpage and most users wont have any problems viewing an SWF file in a web browser.

Go get a free copy of the software and try it out for yourself, this program truly is an amazing piece of work. The fact that it is this awesome and easy to use and free makes it a must have tool even if you just want to mess around and see how you can use it. Its free it won't cost you anything to check it out and who knows maybe you will find a use for the program like I have.