I know many bloggers are using Skitch to record, annotate, upload, post, and share screenshots and shots from their webcams. It's a powerful little application. And it's currently free. I'm not sure if it's still in beta.

Since I really don't personally like the "blobby" look of the annotated text in Skitch, I've avoided it. I've begun using a different application with very similar functionality: LittleSnapper (for Mac). I like it. However, unlike Skitch, LittleSnapper currently does not allow you to capture images from your webcam.

LittleSnapper makes screenshots easy. Users can snap the full screen, an area of the screen, or a specific window on the desktop. Additionally, you can snap an entire web page currently in your browser, even if it's not all visible on the screen. LittleSnapper has its own built in browser as well, so you can navigate a website at will from within the application, snapping screenshots as needed.

The edit tools are well done and, in my opinion, look more professional than Skitch. In item #1 in the included sample snap, I wanted to show you how the text tool looks. Of course, you have control over font size and color as well as the transparency of the background. Text can be numbered (as seen here) or not.

In item #2 notice the highlight tool is used in this snap which dims (grays out) everything on the page (including the boarder around the snap unfortunately) except the highlighted area. If I hadn't used the highlight tool, the screenshot is nicely shadowed as you can see in the other post from today which includes two screenshots by LittleSnapper.

In item #3 notice the use of the blur tool--handy and quick and easy to use. Also, as you would expect, you can draw circles and ovals, rectangles, adjust the color and thickness of arrows--all of the things you would expect.

The program includes a free QuickSnapper Account to share your screenshots. Click on the snap above to see it at my QuickSnapper account where you can view it in full size, comment on it, embed it in a blog post, and even tweet it. I didn't take the time to name or tag it. Shame on me! I should have.

You can also easily upload your screenshots as a png or jpg file to your Flickr account or to any FTP account directly from within the application. Also worth a mention: you have a handy library window that allows you to organize and edit your screenshots with ease. Users can sort them by websnaps (captures from webpages), screensnaps, based on ratings, and by using folders and even smart folders.

LittleSnapper is a practical little application.