Software for low-res screen capture + audio

September 12, 2013 7:12 AM

As part of an effort to better track my time and increase self-accountability while I'm working from home on easily procrastinatible projects, I'd like to record what I'm doing online and provide an running commentary. For example, I'd like the video to capture that I'm typing this question on mefi, and my voiceover explaining what I'm doing and how (if?) it contributes to what I'm trying to accomplish. I need something more than apps that track how much time on which websites. The apps and methods I've tried or seen are aimed at distribution of the final product for videos, on-line training, etc. They require a lot of processing power and produce large files. I'm looking for something that's lightweight and saves (by default, not by compression later) as a small file. Resolution is not an issue; the lower the better. The easier to install and use the better.

I know this may sound creepy. I assure you that my intentions are honorable. I am not affiliated with any government agency. I am not interested in snooping on friends or family, only myself. These will be deleted after a day or two. It is emphatically NOT my intention to share anything with anyone.

posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

Mac or PC? (Or Linux?)
posted by infinitewindow at 7:45 AM on September 12, 2013

Sorry - Mac OSx
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 7:53 AM on September 12, 2013

I'm about to try out Screencast-O-Matic.

For my project's requirements, I will have to run the pro version on a Windows box to capture system audio. The free app records audio from your laptop's microphone and you can adjust the quality of the result.

QuickTime has this functionality as well (File menu --> New Screen Recording) but you'll probably get files that are bigger than you need.
posted by omnidrew at 8:34 AM on September 12, 2013