Preface

First of all, the reason why I am writing this tutorial is the idea that I added recently: We have too few screenshots!

As you all know, then you browse applications via Sortware Manager or this community site, every application has a place for a screenshot. But unfortunatelly  only a few of them does have one. And it depends on us - the community - how many screenshots there will be.

So I decided to write this short tutorial about taking screenshots of different kind of Software, preparing them for uploading (max. size etc.), and suggesting them via this community site.

Taking a screenshot

Simple way

Typically you can easily take a screenshot of an active window by using Left_Alt+Print_Screen keys. Then you save it as a PNG image.

More difficult way

But sometimes - mostly in games - this shortcut doesn't work. What to do then? You can use Take Screenshot application to make a screenshot after a delay.

To start Take Screenshot application: Mint Menu -> All applications -> Accessories -> Take Screenshot.

Next select Grab the current window, disable Include pointer option, disable Include window border, and choose Effect: None.

Now it's time to choose the delay. I usually choose 10-15 seconds. Why? Because it's the time period in which you have to launch the application (mostly game) and start playing.

After you've chosen the delay click the Take Screenshot button, and then quickly launch the game, start playing, and wait until Save Screenshot window appears.

Preparing screenshot for uploading

After you've made a screenshot, you probably notice that it weights more than 500KB. (you can check this by right-clicking on the image file and choosing Properties). If it is so, you can reduce its weight in two ways. Both ways are made in GIMP. To open your screenshot in GIMP: right-click on the image file, and choose: Open With -> GIMP.

Reducing the size of the image

In GIMP click: Image -> Scale Image.... In my opinion good sizes are between 640x480 and 800x600px (width x height). If your image is larger than this, scale it to desired dimensions and save as PNG image with Compression level: 9.

Reducing number of colors in the image

In GIMP click: Image -> Mode -> Indexed.... Select Generate optimum palette, and type 256 as Maximum number of colors. Click the Convert button.

Notice: You have to compare obtained image with your original image. If the difference between them is too big, i.e. indexed image looks ugly, then you have to Undo this change and try to reduce the size of the image as long as it will fit the 500KB restriction.

Combine both approaches

You can combine both approaches to achieve smaller image weight.

Suggesting screenshot via community site

When your screenshot weights less than 500KB you can suggest it via this Mint community site.

Log-in with your login and password. Go to: Community -> Software. Search for your desired application. Click on the "No screenshot. Click to suggest one!" caption. Upload your screenshot.

Conclusion

My idea has changed status to Considered, so there's a chance that soon there will be new menu option: My places -> My Screenshots (or something like that), where you will be able to see what screenshots you've already uploaded.

Thank you for reading. This is my first tutorial so please be forgiving :) And feel free to write comments.