Screen Capture Software: A Review
By Vanessa Burford, vburford@hpl.lib.tx.us
Why would an instruction librarian need screen capture software? Occasionally, you may need to offer a "canned" presentation, whether it's because a live connection to network resources is not available or because you desperately need a backup when the connection fails just in time for your presentation.
Houston Public Library has been offering Internet and electronic resource training classes to the public for some time. Initially, classes were being offered only at the Central Library where a live connection was available. But as demand for the classes grew, it was apparent that the Library needed to offer instruction not only at branches, but occasionally at other locations throughout the community as well. Many of these locations do not feature live network connections. Houston Public's answer to this has been to provide each of its six regions with LCD projectors and notebook computers loaded with PowerPoint presentations.
I compared
screen capture programs for Windows95 that had received the highest rating
of "five cows" at the Tucows Web site (http://www.tucows.com/): CaptureEze97,
Capture Professional, HyperSnap-DX, PrintScreen95, and Snag-It/32. The
table lists the five programs, according to my preference, and their major
features. Should you wish to try any of these programs, or to examine other
screen capture shareware, visit Tucows
at http://tucows.alpha1.net/scapt95.html.
Comparison of Screen Capture Software
Snag-It/32
offered the best combination of ease and flexibility with CaptureEze97
a close second. Snag-It/32 offers a 45-day evaluation period before purchase
is required. A single-user license costs $39.95. Snag-It/32 looks simple,
but offers powerful features. One can capture not only screen images but
also video and text. Input options include graphics and clipboard files
as well as standard screen captures, and output options include printer,
clipboard, graphics file, email, or album. Other features include a wizard
to guide the user, image filters, copious input and output options, automatic
scrolling for any client window, and an excellent help section. Keep
in mind, however, that Snag-It/32 is truly a screen capture program and
does not offer scanner support.
CaptureEze97 also offers a 45-day evaluation period. A single-user license
costs $34.95. When started, CaptureEze97 automatically loads a wizard to
guide the user through the screen capture process. Pressing the print screen
key completes the capture, and the screen image then appears in a new window
where it can be edited, saved, printed, and/or emailed. The only disadvantage
with CaptureEze97 is that automatic scrolling is available only for Web
browser screens. Features include TWAIN scanner support, delay/repeat,
and the ability to view captured images in catalogs. CaptureEze97 offers
screen capture without difficulty.
Vanessa Burford, a member of LIRT's Computer Applications Committee, is a Reference Librarian at the Carnegie Regional Branch of the Houston Public Library.
