Sometimes, screenshots are not enough to show exactly what a problem is. A screenshot is simply a still picture, and may not show the exact problem you're having. Fortunately, there's software from TechSmith Corporation, called Jing, which allows you to make an exact video of what you're seeing on your computer screen, and record your actions.
You can then send this video of your desktop to PBworks Support, either as an attachment to your email, or a link to an online video. It does require a very easy download and install of some third-party software, so you must have permission from the owner of the computer to install new programs.
Installing Jing
- Go to this website, and click the download appropriate for your computer (either Mac or Windows version): http://www.jingproject.com/
- Locate the installation file, and install the software.
- When the install is complete, Jing should launch automatically.
Launching Jing
Registering with Screencast
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| When you first launch Jing, you'll be prompted to make an account with screencast. To use Jing you must either create a Screencast.com account, or use an existing account. |
How Do You Know Jing is Running?
The software has a very small footprint on the screen, because the whole point of the software is to record what other software is doing. However, there are some subtle icons to let you know Jing is running.
| Windows (XP & Vista) |
Mac OSX |
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| In the system tray (the icons next to the time), there is a small icon which looks like two arrows pointing at each other. If you right-click on this icon, you'll be given the option to exit Jing. |
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| Also, while Jing is running there is a small yellow half-circle which appears along the top of the screen. This icon can be dragged to any other edge of the screen, but it must be on the edge. If you drag it towards the center of the screen it will return to it's last location once you let go of the mouse. |
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| The only sign that Jing is running on Mac OSX is the small half-circle (or quarter circle) on the vertical edges of the screen. Here is a picture of the default location, however you can drag the half-circle to any vertical edge you'd like (left or right edge). |
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Recording a movie
Although the screenshots show the Mac version, the process on both Mac and PC are almost identical.
1. To start, first navigate to the page that's giving you the problem. This should be the page or part of the workspace that is having the problem.
2. Then, hover your mouse over the yellow half-circle that appears when Jing is running.
You'll see three options, click on the icon that looks like cross-hairs (the big one pictured below).
3. Your mouse will then be converted to a cross-hair tool.
Use this cross-hair tool to draw a rectangle around the area that you want included in the video. You don't need to include the entire screen, just the area that needs to be recorded.
4. If you just want Jing to capture a still image of a portion of your screen, you can click the "Image" icon in the menu. The still image of the selected area will be added to your Jing History. To capture a video, click the Video button. If you'd like to redo the selection, click the Redo button.
5. When you click the video button, a countdown will commence, so you can get ready. Once the movie reel edges of the capture window start moving, then your capture has started. Start using the portion of the screen as you normally do, and try to recreate the issue. When you've successfully recreated the issue, click the Stop button.
You can also use the buttons below the capture window to Pause, Restart, or cancel the capture. Pressing the Stop button will stop the current capture in process, and save whatever has been captured to your Jing History.
6. When you've stopped the capture, a window will appear. Click on the preview to see your movie replayed.
If the captured video shows your issue, and is good to send, then click the upload to Screencast button, which is the button in the lower left hand corner.
7. Once your video is uploaded, the link to it will be copied to your clipboard. You can verify this is the case by simply pasting the text into any web browser's address bar.
8. If you ever lose the link to a recorded video, Jing makes it easy to get it back. Just click on the History button in the yellow half-circle.
A window will appear that will show all your recorded videos that you have access to. To play a video, simply double click it. Then, you can use the same options in Step 6, to upload the video to Screencast.com.
Sending to PBworks Support
Once the video is uploaded to Screencast.com, and you've seen it play on your own computer, please copy the URL for the video, and send it in an email to Support. If you already have an issue pending with Support, you can send the link in a reply to any of Support's troubleshooting emails.
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