5 best softwares for taking screenshots on windows

Hi guys, previously I made an article about 3 Ways to take screenshot on windows without software some of us might find the opening a program and pasting issues too difficult to follow so today we will be looking at cool softwares that allows you to take screenshots on windows effortlessly. Their main purpose is to help you take screenshots fast and easy.

In this article I'll list the softwares, the pros and cons on each but they will be in no particular other. I will also give link to the website where you can download each one so the final choice is left for you.

Well then lets get to it.

GreenShot

Pros:

GreenShot is an open source screenshot capturing software, allowing you to take screenshots of the complete screen, active window or an area of the screen. It has been under my own use ever since I started blogging, specifically for its area capture mode. Taking over the Print Screen button, it allows you to quickly take area specific screenshots and edit them. The GreenShot Image Editor allows you to move or remove the mouse cursor even after taking the screenshot. Other options include drawing different shapes, adding text to image, obfuscating elements, filling color etc.

Cons:

The complete window capture of GreenShot is not that good, and sometimes, either cuts the edges of windows off, or adds a little bit of background around the edges.

Key Success Factor:

Allowing you to take screenshots by simply hitting the Print Screen button on your keyboard and selecting the required area makes GreenShot a very useful and time-saving screenshot capturing tool.


Screenshot Captor

Pros:

Screenshot Captor is one of the most extensive and comprehensive screenshot taking tools out there. It has an array of options allowing you to take screenshots, edit them, add special effects, add colors, objects and share the screenshots. You can specify pre-capture and post-capture settings, and edit the image using the built-in editor. You can create mailing lists to share captured images with multiple people or print them directly from within the application. Other options allow you to crop image to selection, resize the image, adjust image, enhance selection, blur the image, adjust its colors, add captions, change its transparency etc. There is also support for multi-monitor setup allowing you to take flawless screenshots across all connected monitors.


Cons:

Compared to GreenShot or Shotty, setting up and learning to use Screenshot Captor can be a bit difficult. Users will have to put some time and effort in getting to know the software to use it at its full potential.

Key Success Factor:

To be honest, I cannot name any one factor which makes this tool stand out from the crowd. The massive number of options let you perform almost every thinkable function for capturing and editing the screenshot.



Shotty

Pros:

Being a full-featured screenshot taking tool, Shotty is used as the primary screenshot taking utility by a lot of people (including a lot of us at AddictiveTips). Its ability to capture the Aero-Glass effect in Windows Vista and Windows 7 allows it to take HQ screenshots with semitransparent borders, along with the shadow of the selected window. Some other useful features include cropping the captured image, captioning the image, marking a specific area and inserting text. It can not only capture the selected windows, but also the windows running in the background without having to bring them to front. Shotty also lets you directly upload images to image hosting websites.

Cons:

Even though the high quality image looks pleasing to the eye, the compression of PNG images is not that good. Resultantly, the size of the captured image is quite high, and further compression with an external image editor is required specially if you want to upload it to a website.

Key Success Factor:

The ability to capture Aero-Glass and shadow effect and take screenshots of windows running in the background makes this software a perfect choice for taking high quality screenshots of complete windows.



Live Capture

Pros:

Live Capture can easily be a direct contender to Screenshot Captor in terms of the number of available options. It boasts a whopping total of not 4 or 5, but 12 screenshot capturing modes. Each mode can be equipped with its own hotkey. That’s not all, there is also a Magnifier, Color Picker, Color Palette, Ruler, Editor, Crosshair, Protractor and GIF animator packed within the application. The “Capture Bar” stays on top of every window – with adjustable transparency – allowing you to quickly grab the screen you want. Other than the usual file capturing modes, Live Capture has Window Control Capture, Timing Capture, Repeat Last Capture, Web Capture and Program Menu Capture.

Cons:

The application doesn’t have its own image editor. You will have to use MS Paint (selected by default) or any other external image editor of your choice.

Key Success Factor:

The 12 different capturing modes, supplemented with several other tools, such as Color Picker and GIF animator, makes it a feature-rich tool for capturing any kind of screenshots.

Snappy

Pros:

Recently, a screenshot taking application named Snappy caught our eye, mainly because of its Event Capture feature. The Event Capture feature allows you to set a timer for capture and initiate screenshot capture on specified mouse and keyboard events, such as every mouse click, release or double click or every keyboard key pressed or released. It stores each screenshot in to its own memory and allows you to Export all the selected images in a single PDF file. The image editor lets you tag additional data to the image, adjust its RGB values, Brightness, Contrast and Color, as well as add lines with adjustable width. There is also an option to directly email the images for sharing with someone, from directly within the application.

Cons:

It took me a lot of time to find out something missing in this tool, but finally I noticed that there is no Aero-Glass effect or shadow capturing option available in Snappy.

Key Success Factor:

The Event Capture option is definitely a useful tool for effortlessly capturing screenshots specially while making guides and adding visual aid.


Ok thats it on the 5 best screenshot softwares, do you have any other one already? which is your favourite? Let us know on the comment below.
Also see 3 ways you can take screenshots on windows without software

BBM finally gets on Android and iOS

Good news guys... The wait is finally over as bbm for android and ios is finally here, you can now open play store on your android and download the official bbm app in Nigeria.

Some of us that signed up for the update notification by email @ bbm.com will start using bbm immediately but those that did not has to wait in line for their turn according to blackberry.

For more info on how the line works visit blacckberry blog

Happy pinging..

3 Ways to take screenshot on windows without software

Sometimes we run into issues with our computer, maybe a program or something and you may want to take a screenshot so you can show someone to help you or upload it to fix your problem and then ??? you dont know how.

Well good thing you are here today because I will quickly show you 3 ways you can take screenshot on your windows without the use of a third-party software.

Lets get to it then...

Method 1: Taking a screenshot of the entire window (full screen)

1. Press the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard. This will snap your entire screen and copy it to your clipboard so you can paste it in a program, the size of the image captured will be the same as the resolution of your desktop.

• The "Print Screen" button may be labeled "PrtScn", "Prnt Scrn", "Print Scr", or something similar. On most keyboards, the button is usually found between the "F12" and "Scroll Lock" keys. On laptop keyboards, you may have to press the "Fn" or "Function" key to access "Print Screen". 

Note: You will not receive any confirmation that the screenshot has been taken.

2. Paste and save your screenshot: you will need a program like paint where you can paste and see your screenshot.

To open paint click on Start then All programs then Accessories then paint.
press Ctrl + V on your keyboard to paste on a new blank canvas.

Click File, then Save to set the name and file type of the image. The most common file types are JPG and PNG. The recommended format for screenshots is PNG, due to the high quality and small file size.

You can also paste screenshots on other programs such as photoshop, word or even the body of an email.

In windows 8 pressing the Windows key + Print Screen will save a full-screen screenshot directly to a file, without having to paste it into another program first. The file is saved to the Screenshots folder in your Pictures folder. If the Screenshots folder does not exist, Windows will create one. 

• The picture is saved in PNG format.

• Screenshots are automatically labeled "Screenshot", and a number will appear in parentheses for each consecutive screenshot.

Method 2: Taking a screenshot of the active window (one window screenshot)

1. Click the window that you want to capture an image of. The One Window screenshot function will take a picture of the "active" window on your screen. This means that it should be in front of all your other windows.


2. Press and hold the "Alt" key and press "Print Screen". An image of the window will be copied to the clipboard. The size of the image will be determined by the size of the window when the screenshot is captured.

3. Paste and save the image in a program just like in the first method above.


Method 3: Using the Snipping Tool

The snipping Tool is available in Windows Vista, 7 and 8


1. To open it in Windows Vista and 7, click the Start button, select All Programs, then Accessories. Select the Snipping Tool from the list.
In Windows 8 simply start typing “snipping tool” while on the Start screen and select it from the Search results.

2. Choose the shape of the Snip. "Rectangular Snip" is chosen by default. Click the Arrow button next to the New button to change the Snip shape.

• "Free-form Snip" lets you draw any shape with your mouse. The area inside the shape will be snipped.

• "Rectangular Snip" lets you select a rectangular area, which will be snipped.

• "Window Snip" lets you choose a window to snip.

• "Full-screen Snip" snips the whole screen, with all windows (except the Snipping Tool window) included.

3. Take a snip and then save with any format you like.

Thats it, so if you ever need to take a quick screenshot now you know how. :)

Check out 5 best softwares you can also use to take screenshots 

How to block unwanted calls and sms on your Android Phone

Good day guys, So many times we get unwanted calls from really buggy people and then we wish we could just stop them from calling us, well you could with your smartphone and I have seen some china phones with blacklist capabilities, lol.

Today we are focusing on Android and I will show you how you can stop someone from calling you by blacklisting their number with an app you can download in play store.

Though there are so many apps that you can use to block calls and they all have their own functions and capabilities but I'll be introducing you to this really spectacular one that I've tested and liked for its easy interface and easy settings.

How to block calls on Android

1. Go to play store and search for "blacklist" click on the one made by "AntTek Inc".

After install open the app and do some settings to your choice.

• You can block private numbers

• You can block numbers that are not in your contact

• You can set it to pick up the call and then hang up

• You can block sms and mms

• You can hide the app's icon from your app drawer for security

• You can use password when you launch the app

• You also get notified of any call blocked and sms blocked 

These are cool features you dont find from most blacklist app... enjoy!

How to Root any Android Phone

Good day guys, I'm guessing we all know what it means to gain root access in your Android device. If you have an Android phone and you haven't made out time to root it yet then you are totally missing out on all the good stuff about Android.
See why you need to Root your android phone


With that said, Android has different versions and different manufactures and the method of rooting each one varies too, some very easy and some very difficult but hey! That's why I'm here to help you out right?



Good news is we going to root all your Android devices ASAP and allow you enjoy all the sweet stuff that comes with rooting and all you have to do is comment with your device model and manufacturer and your email too, you'll get the easiest method and files needed delivered to your email directly and answers to all the questions you may have.


Cool right? Now you don't have to ransack Google for some trial and error method while  you can just get it in your email inbox with support incase you get any issues.

Comment with your device name (Model and Manufacturer) and your email address and we send you the how to root your device easiest step available :)

8 Things you can do to secure your wireless router

Most of us use wireless routers and we know how important it is to keep it secured. A security researcher recently discovered a Backdoor in many D-Link routers, this allows anyone access to your router without even knowing the username or password. This is not the first security issue with wireless routers and it certainly won't be the last.

Good news is there are things you could do right now to protect yourself, ensure your router is configured securely. This isn't just about enabling Wi-Fi encryption and not hosting an open Wi-Fi network.

So how do you secure your router and protect yourself? I'll show you how.


8 Things you can do to secure your wireless router

1. Disable Remote Access

Routers offer a web interface, allowing you to configure them through a browser. The router runs a web server and makes this web page available when you’re on the router’s local network.

However, most routers offer a “remote access” feature that allows you to access this web interface from anywhere in the world. Even if you set a username and password, if you have a D-Link router affected by this vulnerability, anyone would be able to log in without any credentials. If you have remote access disabled, you’d be safe from people remotely accessing your router and tampering with it.

To do this, open your router’s web interface and look for the “Remote Access,” “Remote Administration,” or “Remote Management” feature. Ensure it’s disabled — it should be disabled by default on most routers, but it’s good to check.


2. Update the Firmware

Like our operating systems, web browsers, and every other piece of software we use, router software isn’t perfect. The router’s firmware — essentially the software running on the router — may have security flaws. Router manufacturers may release firmware updates that fix such security holes, although they quickly discontinue support for most routers and move on to the next models.

Unfortunately, most routers don’t have an auto-update feature like Windows and our web browsers do — you have to check your router manufacturer’s website for a firmware update and install it manually via the router’s web interface. Check to be sure your router has the latest available firmware installed.


3. Change Default Login Credentials

Many routers have default login credentials that are fairly obvious, such as the password “admin”. If someone gained access to your router’s web interface through some sort of vulnerability or just by logging onto your Wi-Fi network, it would be easy to log in and tamper with the router’s settings.

To avoid this, change the router’s password to a non-default password that an attacker couldn’t easily guess. Some routers even allow you to change the username you use to log into your router.


4. Lock Down Wi-Fi Access

If someone gains access to your Wi-Fi network, they could attempt to tamper with your router — or just do other bad things like snoop on your local file shares or use your connection to downloaded copyrighted content and get you in trouble. Running an open Wi-Fi network can be dangerous.

To prevent this, ensure your router’s Wi-Fi is secure. This is pretty simple: Set it to use WPA2 encryption and use a reasonably secure passphrase. Don’t use the weaker WEP encryption or set an obvious passphrase like “password”.


5. Disable UPnP

A variety of UPnP flaws have been found in consumer routers. Tens of millions of consumer routers respond to UPnP requests from the Internet, allowing attackers on the Internet to remotely configure your router. Flash applets in your browser could use UPnP to open ports, making your computer more vulnerable. UPnP is fairly insecure for a variety of reasons.

To avoid UPnP-based problems, disable UPnP on your router via its web interface. If you use software that needs ports forwarded — such as a BitTorrent client, game server, or communications program — you’ll have to forward ports on your router without relying on UPnP.


6. Log Out of the Router’s Web Interface When You’re Done Configuring It

Cross site scripting (XSS) flaws have been found in some routers. A router with such an XSS flaw could be controlled by a malicious web page, allowing the web page to configure settings while you’re logged in. If your router is using its default username and password, it would be easy for the malicious web page to gain access.

Even if you changed your router’s password, it would be theoretically possible for a website to use your logged-in session to access your router and modify its settings.

To prevent this, just log out of your router when you’re done configuring it — if you can’t do that, you may want to clear your browser cookies. This isn’t something to be too paranoid about, but logging out of your router when you’re done using it is a quick and easy thing to do.


7. Change the Router’s Local IP Address

If you’re really paranoid, you may be able to change your router’s local IP address. For example, if its default address is 192.168.0.1, you could change it to 192.168.0.150. If the router itself were vulnerable and some sort of malicious script in your web browser attempted to exploit a cross site scripting vulnerability, accessing known-vulnerable routers at their local IP address and tampering with them, the attack would fail.

This step isn’t completely necessary, especially since it wouldn’t protect against local attackers — if someone were on your network or software was running on your PC, they’d be able to determine your router’s IP address and connect to it.


8. Install Third-Party Firmwares

If you’re really worried about security, you could also install a third-party firmware such as DD-WRT or OpenWRT. You won’t find obscure back doors added by the router’s manufacturer in these alternative firmwares.


Consumer routers are shaping up to be a perfect storm of security problems — they’re not automatically updated with new security patches, they’re connected directly to the Internet, manufacturers quickly stop supporting them, and many consumer routers seem to be full of bad code that leads to UPnP exploits and easy-to-exploit backdoors. It’s smart to take some basic precautions.

Browse for free with your Android -- TroidVPN

Good morning guys, today we will all benefit from a tweak from MTN that allows you browse the internet and use apps that requires internet access on your Android free of charge unofficially, using a VPN app (TroidVPN).




The best part to this tweak is that you don't need to have a dime in your balance and it works on full speed if you have TroidVPN premium account, though the free account is stable too.


So are you wondering how? I'll show you.


How to configure TroidVPN to browse free with mtn sim:

1. Go to play store and install TroidVPN if you don't already have it

2. Open TroidVPN and set protocol to TCP

3. Set LPort to 5222

4. Set RPort to 1110

5. Make sure your apn is set to web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net

6. Connect and enjoy!!!


That's it guys, browse and download to your fill while it last...

How to create your own QR Codes with an Android Phone

Most of us know what QR Codes (or matrix barcodes) are and might have seen one around somewhere, its cool how it works, you just scan it with your smart phone and it takes you to a website, email address or location embedded in it. QR Codes has become so common that many businesses and individuals has started encoding their own information.

Good news is you can also encode your own information in a QR Code too, all you need is an app and an Android Phone.

Ok less talking already, let me quickly show you how.


How to create your own QR Codes with an Android Phone

1. Search for "Barcode generator/reader" in Play store and click the one made by LADVAN APPS. 

2. Click Install and click Open when when its done.

3. Click on the drop down menu that says "text" in the Barcode app and select the type of information you want to embed in your barcode. I choose url in mine so it will lead to a website.

4. Type your site in the textbox and click on "Generate".

5. Click on save to save your Barcode or share it with friends.

Thats all on creating your own barcode, hope it was explanatory enough. If you need further help or any questions please use the comment section below.