Why are we doing this? Well, one answer is that Jing Pro benefits (like MP4 video recording and YouTube output) are now in the newest version of Snagit. By the way, videos recorded with Snagit don't have a time limitation. We know that will make a lot of people happy.

Today's release of Jing also contains some minor improvements, including:

• New dialogs when you share an image or video
• Added the ability for Mac users to send their images directly to Snagit
• Reworked countdown so it's more clear when you're about to run out of recording time

Questions? Leave a comment here or visit our Feedback site.

Learn more at the TechSmith site.

Ah-ha! Here's what's probably going on. I'd like to explain how Jing works with audio devices (microphones).

The core issue is that if Jing finds a microphone that has worked before, it will keep on using it until you say otherwise. It doesn't automatically pick "the best" microphone or the newest one connected. The following example will make the workflow more clear.

Let's say your computer has multiple audio devices connected. For example, perhaps it has USB mic, and a 3.5mm analog mic that likely came with your computer (or often the built-in mic in the case of laptops).

If you're using audio from the USB microphone, and then disconnect it, the next time you go to make a Jing recording, Jing will interrupt the countdown and warn you--asking you to choose a new audio input device.

However, Jing does NOT warn you if you add a new microphone that wasn't there the last time you made a video. (Whether this is a good idea or not is a fair matter for debate and perhaps we indeed should notify the user.) Therefore, you need to tell Jing to use the microphone you wish.

Here's how to do that:

1. Click More > Preferences.

2. Next, under Audio Input, click Select Device.
3. Jing will present available audio devices. Choose the one you wish to use, and click OK.

I'm not sure who thinks of this stuff, but here's a game where you're a piece of toast trying to get as much jelly as you can while avoiding being eaten. You get to be launched out of a toaster, so I suppose that's fun.

Play You're Toast

I only played it once--and I was only able to run for 85 seconds. Here's my high score having never played it before. Can you beat it? Put a link to your score screen in the comments. Then get back to work! :)

I wanted to mention the Screencast.com beta over here on the Jing blog, mainly because we just released a new Search feature and greatly enhanced the ability to move and manage content.

If you're a Jing user that uses Screencast.com, we think that you'll find it much faster and more efficient to locate some of your Jings in the often-crowded Jing folder.

What do you think? The best way to send us feedback is to post it here. Thanks in advance for taking the time to tell us your thoughts. We crave it.

Have three minutes? Check out this overview video.

Learn about everything that's new and changed!

You’ve no doubt heard of The Cloud. You’ve got cloud computing, Azure, Amazon S3... It’s like “The Internet” but so much more exciting, new, and profound.

The thing is, Jing’s been there and done that--we’ve been letting people host images and videos in "the cloud" for years. Sure, it’s great. People can click a link and see the video. We get it.

But what does the future really hold? The Jing team never stops looking ahead. We’re visionaries. And we’re convinced the future lies in The Clod.

We asked ourselves this question: Why do people like the Internet? Why do they call it the Cloud? Wouldn’t a more accurate name be “huge-tangled-mess-of-wires-and-radio-signals-I-have-to-pay-to-have-inconsistent-access-to”?

The answer is clouds are cute, puffy, day-dreamy. You don’t need to understand them or explain them--you just sort of know they’re there. People don’t associate clouds with something that’s going to store a bunch of your important stuff for free and then likely lose it or charge you for it later.

Brilliant marketing and naming, but we know the truth. Clouds are here one day and gone the next. People: Are you with us? Get your heads out of the Cloud and come back down to the Clod.

So what is Jing and the Clod?
It’s the texture of punch cards
The whirr of a hard drive
The motion of magnetic tape
It’s the heat generated from a physically altered piece of plastic

In short, if you can’t touch it, it’s not the Clod.

And Jing’s going there. Now with a multitude of output buttons, including the “Mother Earth” Button XL Combo which not only saves your video to your hard drive, but also puts a copy on an SD card, USB thumb drive, DVD, CD, Zoetrope, View-Master, and 8-track tape--you can rest easy knowing that not only will that video be yours forever, but you can deliver it to just about anyone in a format they can use. And by deliver, we mean you can even throw it at them if you are so inclined.

Can you do that in the Cloud?

Didn’t think so.

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Scripting is an important part of the multimedia creation process. When used in conjunction with a well-designed storyboard, a good script can spell the difference between a short, clear and concise video and one that rambles and loses focus.

• Keep each page of the script equal to about one minute of content
• Use a large, easy to read font.
• When recording, don't stray from what you've written in the script.
• As you script, be sure to note what is happening in the video, podcast or presentation at the time you are speaking.
• Use contractions. It sounds better when speaking.
• Keep your tone conversational, and make sure it reflects your personality. This will help keep people interested.
• Write in a manner that allows you to bring in images, graphs, charts or humor to keep the video interesting and fun to watch.
• Break your projects up into short, easy-to-follow pieces.
• Keep asking yourself: is this essential? Could I cut this, or make it shorter while still achieving my goals?
• Read the script out loud before you record it to make sure it flows well and sounds correct. Also, send it to someone else for review whenever possible.
• Be consistent when using I, you, past and present tense.
• Identify one to three things (goals) you want your viewer to leave with.
• Every video or podcast should have some kind of introduction and closing. Typically you introduce yourself and briefly set the viewers' expectations about what they will be learning. Remember, your introduction is your first impression, so put some effort into making it great!
• Not sure about a particular section? Record both versions now and decide later.

Scripts don't need to be fancy. Here's what one of ours looks like: