To record all or part of desktop: sudo apt-get install gtk-recordmydesktop gtk-recordmydesktop drag out rectangle for part of screen to record click "save as" and specify filename (default is out.ogv in homedir) click record do stuff (it will be recorded) click red box in panel tray and choose STOP wait for dialog to convert ogv movie to avi: sudo apt-get install mencoder mencoder -ovc xvid -oac mp3lame movie.ogv -xvidencopts pass=1 -o movie.avi