Creating screenshots is quick and easy too. Freeware and shareware programs are available for all platforms (PC, Mac, Linux). Just go to Version Tracker, select your platform from the drop-down menu, and type "Screenshot" into the search blank. Downloading software takes only a few minutes, then you're ready to take some screenshots. Basically, no matter which platform or software you use, once the software program is open, you simply press two or three keys, and then drag your mouse over the part of the screen you want to capture.

Newer Macs come with screen capturing software already installed. Just press the Shift, Command (Apple), and number 4 keys at the same time. A crosshair will appear where your cursor is. Drag and hold over what you want to capture as a screenshot. Your screenshot will be saved as a PDF on your Desktop.

For whole screen images or even a timed screen (so you can go back and click a few things just before the image is captured), try Grab, a program that comes with OS X and is found in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. If you don't want a PDF version of the screenshots, SnapClip is a great freeware program that allows you to save these images as JPGs.

PC users can use the Print Screen (PRTSCRN) button on their keyboard. (Depending on your keyboard, you might need to press the Shift or the Alt and Shift keys to capture the screen or a given window.) Pressing that key will save a copy of your screen to your clipboard. Then, open Microsoft Paint (Start>Programs>Accessories) or, for newer versions of Windows, Image Editor (Start>Programs>Office Tools). Click Edit>Paste, and then save your image as a .jpg file. For one-step screenshots, check the freeware and shareware programs available at Version Tracker.

Next: Final tips and tricks.