Looking for a great free tool to capture pictures from web pages, word documents, and other things you want to share?

I know that most computers have the option of using a Print Screen key but, I have never gotten that to capture just a small piece of my screen. Maybe I am doing it wrong but rather than messing with it I just found another way.

I use the free version of ScreenHunter. You can find downloads for this all over online. I will let you pick where you choose to download the program from. Yes, they do also have a paid version (about $20 US) which gives you a few more tools but, I have never used it.

A quick tutorial so you have a little information about how to use Screenhunter once you have downloaded and installed it.

Open Screen Hunter on your desktop (or where ever you have it saved).

Once open you will see that on this page you can Capture your page to ClipBoard and or File. I have both checked.

In the next box you can chose the File Type – GIF, Bitmap, Jpeg. You can also choose GreyScale or Color.

The next box down will allow you to Click on File Name and name your capture. When you do click this, a new box will open, Static File Naming Options.

The PREFIX will be the Name you choose for your picture.
You can then choose to number the pictures in case you will be taking more than one, this will help you keep track of the order.

Date and Time can also be included in the next box.

As you move down you will then see a preview of what your file name will be.

Overwrite Options will be the last area. I have it checked to Never Overwrite. If you happen to not use the numbers options at the top – you will have a chance of overwriting any pictures that you do on that same day. So be sure to Never Overwrite Or You MUST allow your captures to be numbered.

Once you have set up your file name you can click OK.

You will now be returned to the main ScreenHunter page.

The last thing you need to do here is pick a Folder where you would like your Captured picture to be stored.

From the Menu on the Left you will click on the FROM tab.

Here you have easy choices.
You can choose a Hotkey if you would like to use one.

You have the option to include your Mouse Pointer in the capture or uncheck so it will not show.

Capture What –
If you would like to capture just a portion of the page you will want to choose the Rectangular Area. This way when you are ready you will get a movable box to designate what you are taking the picture of.

Active Window will be the – window that is open.

Full Screen is just that – it will be a picture of your entire monitor screen.

Now how to use it!!!
With ScreenHunter Open, click the big Stand By button on the top. This will place the hand icon on your lower right in the task bar (on Windows).

Open your webpage, word document, or what ever you would like to capture a picture of.

Right click on the ScreenHunter Hand icon.

Click on Capture Now. If you are using Full Screen it will immediately capture your entire screen. If you have chosen Rectangular Area; You will have a set of red box lines appear. To arrange your area- move your curser to the top left of the area you want included in the picture. Click and drag to the bottom right of all details you want included. Once you release the curser button the picture will be taken. So, hold down the button until you are sure you have the box placed.

I then suggest that you place ScreenHunter on Stand By again while you check to make sure your picture is exactly what you want.

Your picture is now saved in the folder you chose earlier. If it is not correct just throw it in the recycle bin and try again.

Now you have captured a picture to use on your site, blog, or just save it for yourself.

Since I can not place raw code on my blog I used this method to capture pictures from a word document to use as examples on my post about HTML Picture Code for Websites and Blogs

And pictures from a website on my post about How to make a signature line on Forums

This is the easiest program I have used to do a capture. Like anything you may have to play with it a few times but, then it is easy as pie (or eating pie).

I hope this has helped you find a good program to use or at least opened your eyes to some possibilities.

Sheryl Loch

4 Ways to share this post!

That’s right just hold on!

You know I am a fan of sharing great site links. No matter what site you like to use (Digg, FriendFeed, Twitter…) sharing links is good! That is why I wrote about the Shareaholic Firefox Add On a while back, to make sharing super easy.

Ok, why I do not want you to share your great find just yet?

So, you just read a great article and know that it is your duty to share it with your network. Let’s just think a minute before you do that.

You know that once you Stumble, Digg, Tweet….that your friends will be coming over to read it. Not only your friends but, if it’s good, your friends are also going to be linking it to their FaceBook, Myspace…. Yes, that means just by you clicking to share 1 post possibly thousands will be receiving the link and going to take a look for themselves.

How can you possibly use this to increase your traffic?

Easy, you thought the post was useful, it is a topic that you know about, why not add a comment? If you take a few minutes to write an intelligent comment to the post, then as others come and read through, you have a chance of being noticed.

Is this a sure fire way to get tons of traffic?

Probably not tons but, if you do not post a comment then I can guarantee that you will get NONE!

At least with having a comment posted you have a chance. You are not only getting yourself a backlink (if allowed) but, your name and your intelligent comment in front of all those that pass by.

Think about it – do you ever just click on a link that someone sent, read through the post, and the comments?

I do and I also find that if someone has written a comment that strikes me I then follow to their site and may get lost in blog post and comments for hours. Just from clicking 1 link I may end up on 50 different blogs, it’s like a blog post and comment train.

Yes, this sounds way to simple and it only takes a few extra minutes to add that comment but, the improved chance for traffic is worth it.

Soon after I finished this I realized there will be a question that I know will be ask. I might as well get it out of the way.

What if the blog is set to moderated comments?

In that case you have 2 choices –

1. You post your comment and wait for a bit until it is approved before you share the link.

OR

2. You post your comment, share the link knowing that many bloggers post comments ASAP and that a shared link will most likely be sent out by several people over a period of time. You may not get your comment seen by the wave of readers you send but, it will be there for the next set.

Please give this post a share!

Thanks for stopping in and I do hope this helps you get a few more eyes on your blog.
Sheryl Loch

Here is a post with an explanation of some very simple HTML code so, you can get the most benefit of those great pictures on your website. Having a graphic to catch peoples attention is wonderful but, you want it to be placed (center, right, left), sized, and linked right to your product page!

Many times your company may supply you with a pre made banner for your blog or to use on any site. It comes with all the HTML Code that you need to get it visible and when clicked goes to the appropriate site. But, what if you want to use your own banner, a product picture, or the pre made one is not a good size? You need to know how to make it work.

Here we go! For a basic banner or picture you can make your own html code and have more control.

You will need to imput your own information in certain areas –
http://YOURURLHERE – This will be the link people will be directed to when they click the picture. You will want to leave target”_blank” just as it is. This means that the page will open in a new tab. This way they still have your blog open in a tab without clicking the back button.

http://YOURPICTUREURLHERE This is the link where your picture is stored. Be sure to include all /folders that will be needed to pull up the picture. Example – http://sherylloch.com/lochpic/amlban.jpg

alt="INSERT KEYWORD" – This is your Alternate Text. Many people say that since a spider can not see pictures (only text), that the alt text is how the spiders will categorize what you have placed as a picture. You will want to insert a keyword or phrase. I will say that I have found no proof that the ALT tag is even of any relevance. It may be a totally worthless as far as link anchor association but, I put it there just in case. To get the anchor text benefit simply insert a text link under your picture or banner.

title="INSERT PIC TITLE HERE” Here you can simply title your picture. Many times this is the text that shows when someone mouses over the picture.

width="440" height="70" Without these numbers the picture is shown on your site in the size that was loaded onto the server. Just because it is a certain size on the server does not mean it is good for placement on your site. If they have loaded a large picture this is how you can size it to me more manageable. I am sure you have seen the banners that hang over the edges of post or make a profile on a social site super huge. That looks like crap – all they need to do is put in a Width and Height that will make it more suitable.

Many of your button ads are 125x125 if that is the size you need put 125 in for width and again for height. Remember when working with pictures you may need to adjust the numbers a few times until you get it right.

If you would like to CENTER your image on the area you only need 2 pieces of code. You will see we have the center code at the beginning and the end of or entire code.

If you are wondering how people get pictures placed and have “wrap around text”, the words on the side.

You can make the Class=”rightmargin” or class=”leftmargin” depending on which side of the page you would like it on and the text will be on the opposite. Place your entire picture code immediately before the start of the paragraph that you would like beside the picture. REMEMBER – if you are going to use a right or left picture do not have the CENTER code included.

This same code can be used in Social Networking profiles, blog post, and most html based areas.

Now that you have made your codes be sure to copy, paste, and label them into a document so, next time you need them the are easy to find!

Have a great time posting your pictures and banners!
Sheryl Loch

Please give this post a share!

Do you have Skype yet?

If not you are missing out on a great way to stay in touch with customers, team members, family, and friends for FREE! If you are worried because you are on dial up, then just go ahead and get it you can use the text messaging for fast contact. I am pretty sure most dial up will have problems with the voice calls but, don’t think you are completely left out.

You can download Skype and then it will get you an account set up.
Pick your well know username or your real name. Fill in all the general info, email, location, upload a pic, add your website URL…

Now, you are ready to let anyone that needs it have your username and they can send you an invite to be on their list as a contact.
When you open up your new skype and log in it will be easy to see who in your contact list is marked online. I suggest always send a text message before calling anyone. They may have forgotten to change their status or might even be on another call.

This is just a short intro to Skype, once you have your skype downloaded and installed you can read the 2nd and 3rd parts and have it completely set up and skyping with friends, family, and business right away!

Sheryl Loch

Part 2 Setting Up Your Skype

Part 3 How To Use Your Skype

Be sure to share this post!

In the previous post (Get Your Skype On) I gave you some general info about getting skype nd the link to down load it. Now, you need to set up your notifications and how you would like skype to work.

To set your status –
Log in and open your skype,
There is a tiny black arrow to the left of your name, click on it and you can set how you want your contacts to see you. Online, Away, Off Line, Invisible (you may be on but, it looks as if you are off line)… I suggest that you do not click the Skype Me! That is when you start getting all kinds of odd balls sending you invites.

Here are a few tips I use –
Open your skype and click on Tools,
From that drop down click on OPTIONS,
In the GENERAL SETTINGS-
I have picked to Start a Chat when I Double Click on a Contact. I do not start a call because I always send a text message to see if they have time to talk.

I leave a check mark for Pop Up a window when someone wants request my contact. I want to see it then so, I do not forget to add or decline.

At the bottom of this page you can also update your profile, change your skype colors, and change your picture. I suggest all skypes be Purple (just because I like it)! LOL!

Next is the AUDIO SETTINGS. This will depend on your type of Mic and speakers as to what should show up. IF you do the test call and have a problem this would be the 1st place to look. Unless you have no mic or speakers on.

The next setting is for the WARNING SOUNDS. I just have all mine clicked as they are in default. I almost never have my computer sound on anyway, so I have no clue what noises it makes.

Now on to the PRIVACY SETTINGS Tab –
Here I will tell you how I prefer my settings and why.
Allow Calls From.. I have Only People in my Contact list. I do not want strangers to call and talk to me. If someone wants to talk to me they can send me a Add to Contacts First!

Automatically Receive Video from… NO ONE! I do not need to see anyone’s video! If someone wants to show me their kid on their skype cam, I will go click it to Show video from my contacts for that call.

Allow Chats from…. Anyone. I will let about anyone send me a text, I can always block them if I need to. But, it could be someone asking if they have the right person or just asking a question of me… Yes, you may get some weirdo’s or spam. That is what the Block User is for (I will get to that handy item).

Here is a BIGGY!! If you plan to have a skype button on your profile that will let people know your status you MUST checkmark Allow My Status To Be Shown On The Web!! If you do not check this box no one will be able to see if you are on or off line and some Skype buttons (to be able to contact you from your profile or web site) will NOT work at all unless it is checked.

The next tab is for BLOCKED USERS. WhooHooo! Here you will be able to Unblock a person if you have mistakenly blocked them. You can also place a username here to block them if they are a pain in your butt and you do not want any contact with them.

Next Tab is NOTIFICATIONS
Here you can set your visual alert when some one calls you. I have the Show window call, that way it pops up right in the middle of my screen. Since I do not have any volume on I need it flashing in front of my face.

I also have a check mark for the Pop Up window when someone request my details. I like to take care of it right then.

The Display a Notification in the Windows Tray when…Those will depend on how many things you want notified of. I only see a point in 2, Starts a chat or Sends me a file. The others seem a bit useless to me. I do NOT recommend you get notified when your contacts Comes online. That can drive you nuts if you have a large list. I do not need to see each time one of my contacts logs on to their skype.

CALLS TAB –
Most of this we have went through on other areas and it should reflect those settings.
I do not use Call Forwarding or Voice Mail. The Video Setting we have already set.

CHAT & SMS – We have a pet peeve of mine here! Pay attention! LOL!
Here you will see who is allowed to send you a chat message. WAIT!

Click The ADVANCED OPTIONS – First I have already set that anyone can send me a chat. The chat history is up to you but, I would not go over 3 months. I have it checked to Open a Chat Window when Someone Starts a Chat. Now Get Ready!!! This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. You will see where it says In a chat, pressing ‘Enter’ will – PLEEZE put Insert a Line Break. This means that if you are in a chat and sending a longer message that may need paragraph breaks it will indeed give a break instead of sending a whole bunch of separate lines, each as a message. This will mean that you will need to use your curser to chick the send button rather than just hitting enter but, it looks so much nicer and is easier for the sender to read. I get so frustrated when I get 30 messages 1 sentence per message. Ok, now I started this whole article just for that little info to keep me happy. I’ll go ahead and finish now that I’m this far.

The Show when I am typing is handy for the person you are texting with so they know you are answering. But, it is not necessary.

The CHAT APPEARANCE is normally set by default. I have just left them as they are.
The SMS Setting I do not use.

The ADVANCED –
All of these are also set by default so, you are notified of updates. That is a must if you want to keep your skype up to date and working properly.

Part 3 (next step) - How To Use Your Skype

Part 1 - Get Your Skype On

Thanks,
Sheryl Loch