A picture is worth a thousand words. This is the idea behind the Jing Project, an application that allows users to capture images on their computer screens and share them as still pictures or videos. Imagine the possibilities! Create a video to show your colleague how to create an automatic e-mail alert in PubMed. Send your IT department a screen shot of the error message you received. Narrate a picture slideshow to send to your mom.
The Jing Project was developed by TechSmith, the company that created the products Camtasia and SnagIt, and was released to the public as a way to gather feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the application. The company is honest in saying that the product is free, for now.
Jing is available for Windows and Mac users and is quickly installed. Images and videos captured using the product can be saved as .swf files or uploaded directly to Screencast.com, a hosting site owned by TechSmith. When the files are uploaded to Screencast.com or another available server, such as your department’s, a url address is created, allowing you to share information without the need to send sizable attachments via e-mail or instant messaging. See the Jing Project’s FAQ page for more information about Screencast.com accounts and technology requirements.
Screen shots can be modified with tools such as highlighting, text boxes, and arrows. Videos can be narrated, but editing is not possible. Jing is intended for the creation of short videos in comparison to Camtasia or Apreso software that can be used to record lengthier lectures.
Think outside the box and give Jing a try! HSLS reference librarians will be using Jing to answer some of the questions received through Ask A Librarian.
~ Melissa Ratajeski