Screenr: the Youtube for Screencasts

If you ever needed or wanted to make screencasts, the newly released web application Screenr will make it ten times easier, with little or no prior computer skills required. With the click of two buttons, you can record some actions on your desktop, quickly preview the recording, and have the file linked to your Twitter account or uploaded to YouTube in about 15 minutes.

You can't edit your recordings, add custom logos or introductions, or include separate background music tracks as you might do in say iMovie, but you can produce a flash-based video that automatically gets optimized for the web and the iPhone. The recordings have a five minute limit, but I'm sure the developers, Articulate Global, will offer premium options for advance features. You can also delete unwanted videos.

I've completed a few Screenr screencasts so far and have found the resolution and sound quality admirable. While other screen capturing programs like iShow HD, Screen Flow, and Snapz Pro include bountiful features for desktop recordings, Screenr is for when you need to get a screencast posted quickly for say a client, your how-to article readers, or family members who need a quick show-don't-tell video for trouble shooting a computer related problem.

Viewing Screenr.com's 1-minute screencast tutorial is all you need to know to produce your first online production. You do need a Twitter ID to log in to Screenr and to record and comment on other screencasts, but as with YouTube, your individual screencasts include a direct link and embed code for posting your videos on other sites. One significant drawback, however, is that all your Screenr videos are made public. There's no private viewing options, which is something I think Articulate Global will eventually consider as an option for posters.

There will no doubt be many requests for improving this service, but in the meantime, the free and easy Screenr.com could easily become the Youtube of screencasts and how-to tutorials.

My very first Screenr screencast below illustrates my most often used application for activating shortcut keystrokes on the Mac; it's called SpeedMouse.