How to post reports for review

I have had a few requests for directions on how to post software reports for review so I thought I would put this out there so it is easy to spot for the newbies. If someone has a question about what is on their reports please explain what the question is and what seems to be going on. Then the members here can offer their thoughts. It looks like a lot of work but it really isn't once a person does it a couple of time. We can't do attachments here so hosting the image or a link to website with stored pdf file is all we can do. For newbies, images are probably easier.


How to insert image/report

Open the image to full size so it is easily read.
I use Vista snipping tool to create a screen shot and crop the image at the same time.
Prt/scr key will also take a screen shot if using XP. If laptop is used sometimes the Fn key has to be pushed at the same time as the prt/scr key
I think windows 7 has the snipping tool.
Once the screen shot is created save it in jpg format.
Upload the image to a host site. I use Photobucket it is free, there are others.
Once the image is uploaded then copy the ENTIRE IMG address. Be sure to include the opening and closing IMG brackets. Paste that copied address into a post here.
Use the preview button. If you can't see the image try again because if you can't see it we can't.

There are some free photo editing programs for cropping if need be

To take a screenshot on the Mac, hold CMD+SHIFT+4
Click and hold on the upper-left corner of the area you want to capture
Drag to the lower-right corner and release
The screenshot will show up on your desktop. Then it can be uploaded to photo host site.

Bump. Thanks.

You can also use Alt + print screen to take a screenshot of your active window to reduce the need to use another tool for cropping in Windows. Not sure if it works on Macs.

Also, if using the prt/scr key, some laptops require the Fn key to be held down at same time of the prt/scr key. Just depends on the laptop. I have HP laptop and I have to use the Fn key plus the prt/scr key if I didn't use the Snipping Tool. This gives me a screen shot of the entire desktop. I prefer cropped images to get rid of the "fluff" and keep image smaller and cleaner but XP computers require using Paint or image editing use to crop. Many more steps needed and confusing for some users, so cropping is not critical.

Snipping Tool in Vista and Windows 7 is found in the All Program/Accessories in Start Menu. It can easily be pinned to Start Menu for ease in getting to it. Right click on Snipping Tool and choose "Pin to Start Menu", then it is there at finger tips. If it isn't in Accessories (Vista and Win7) I think there is way to find it. Been long time since I did that.

I used to do a lot of computer help that involved cropped screen shots embedded in emails using XP computer and Paint and I could do them pretty fast but the Snipping Tool made it so simple I just pinned it to Start Menu and it is always handy. Full desktop images in email made it hard to point to what I was explaining and distracting for receiver.

Main thing is to make sure image is 100% size before screen shot. Sometimes members post images at 75% or less and those can be hard to read.

If using the IMG brackets from the forum editor (next to URL button) only the host web address needs to be inserted between brackets but I just copy the whole address which includes the IMG brackets already, this saves one step. When in doubt if it is correct, always use the preview button.

If someone hosts a pdf file at another location then of course use the url link on the editor.
I just prefer images right in the post so that no one has to click on a link and have it time out or not work. I get time out messages often with links. I have poor internet connection speed where I live. Also no toggling back and forth with comments and looking at report. I am lazy.. But again, it not a critical issue. Just time saving for some.

And just so there's mention in this thread, ImageShack has been reported to be blocking images to non-US visitors. I'll be using PhotoBucket from now on to avoid that problem.