In 2010 I wrote about Jing, a program for capturing part of your screen as an image or video. It helped with instructions and with showing something quickly to a customer or friend. My old article mentioned PNG images, SWF videos and a paid Pro version. That specific product route is history: TechSmith confirms that Jing and its successor Capture are no longer available.
Start with the purpose
If you need to show an error message, an image of the relevant window is usually enough. A short screen recording better explains a sequence of actions. Decide what the recipient needs to see before capturing anything. Crop away unrelated windows, but leave enough context to show where the image comes from.
Screenshot quality does not simply depend on a special app. A good crop, readable scale and suitable file format matter more. Keep text and interface elements sharp, and check the result on the sort of screen the recipient will use. Add an arrow or brief annotation if it helps, but do not cover important information.
Which tool can you use now?
On Windows, the built-in Snipping Tool can capture an area, window or full screen, add notes and record video. On a Mac, Apple describes the built-in options for screenshots and recordings. If you need more editing or organized storage, consider a specialist service, but one clear image does not require one.
Before sharing, check for names, messages, passwords or customer data visible in the capture. A useful screenshot makes the subject clear without revealing the rest of your screen by accident. That is the lasting core of my original Jing tip.