The question is simple. How to capture and maybe edit screenshots in Windows and in Linux. Basically – the same way for both OS’s, but there are differences and some tricks.

Simplicity:

Basic

Software:

• Ubuntu Linux
• GNOME X-Windows
• Gimp

or

• Windows XP
• Paintbrush

Should also work for:

• Many Linux and X-Windows
• Any decent image editor

or

• Most Windows Systems
• Any decent image editor

Windows

1

Use [Print screen] key

Have the screen you want and press [Print screen] keyboard key.
Now there is a screenshot in the clipboard.

2

Paste image into graphic editor.

Just start the Paintbrush program, which is a part of any Windows.
Then find the “paste” command from menu. You should have you screen now.

3

Edit if you need to

You can select part of the image, then copy it and then paste it again. Thus, you will have only the part of the screen which is needed. You can also use a pencil tool, i.e. with red color, to stroke or highlight the part of the image which is important.

4

Save it

If there is this format available, better use .jpg format, not .bmp. Jpg is more common format..

Linux X-Windows

1

Use [Print screen] key

Have the screen you want and press [Print screen] keyboard key.
Sometimes program automatically starts. It will contain your screen and allow for you to save it.

2

Basic capturing fails?

There are sometimes problems capturing. If no such program pops up, and if gimp has no paste option after you used print-screen, there maybe time to install some special capture software.

2.1

Get xfce screenshoter!

Use your package manager (like “synaptic”). I recommend xfce4-screenshorter (xfce). Select it, and install.

2.2

Use xfce to grab the screen

You can start xfce from applications->accessories->screenshot . Now, you can just capture the screen or set timer. I.e. , set timer for 10 sec, then switch to your screen, maybe select some menu option and wait. After 10 secs you will have your screen. Save it to the file system.

3

Use gimp to edit the image.

Now you can select the part of the image you like, copy it and then "paste into" new image. You can also use red pencil to highlighting something which you want.

4

Save now

If there is this format available, better use .jpg format, not .bmp. Jpg is more common format.

Tips

Jpg Compression – set it to 70-80% or you might loose the image quality
Image optimization – there are special tools which can make your image as much as 70% smaller. Just google to find one.
Choosing format – there is no best format to save your screenshots. Although .jpg, .png and .gif are considered to be the most common choices, still there is considerable difference among them.