Getting a playback tool like VLC *Player* to record is very challenging. Do you remember trying to use those early "write once" CD drives and discs? Colleagues in our public library system recommend ScreenPal (formerly ScreenCastOMatic) for having record and edit features in the same place. Our library system has Microsoft Stream via a workplace M365 license. It's fine especially for internal distribution/sharing in 365. I use MangoRecorder for quick screen recordings. At one time the free version did not upload to YouTube, otherwise it's good enough. You may still need some editing tools to transcode and distribute the final recordings. For major video processing work, I recommend having access to a fast media editing computer with three SSDs (media programs, input files, output files). And a separate easily recoverable "sandbox" system or virtual machine to try different applications without risking your primary computer(s). Free software will often exact a cost in the required computer resources and time to install, use, and maintain especially if you intend to repurpose a package for an unanticipated use case. -Wil Blake ScreenPal https://screenpal.com/ Microsoft Stream https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/microsoft-stream Mango Recorder https://workplace.mangoapps.com/mango-recorder Windows Sandbox https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/ Costs of Free https://www.itqlick.com/Blog/the-real-cost-of-free-software-hidden-fees-you-did-not-expect/Received on Fri Jan 23 2026 - 09:29:22 EST