# recordMyDesktop

> screen recorder

**Wikidata**: [Q1128413](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1128413)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RecordMyDesktop)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/recordmydesktop

## Summary
recordMyDesktop is a free and open-source screencasting software designed for the Linux operating system. Distributed under the GNU General Public License, it allows users to create video recordings (screencasts) of their desktop activity. The project is actively maintained on GitHub, with its latest stable release published in 2021.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Free software / Screencasting software.
- **Primary Function:** Produces screencasts (video recordings of screen activity).
- **Operating System:** Linux.
- **License:** GNU General Public License.
- **Latest Stable Version:** 0.4.0 (released March 14, 2021).
- **Previous Stable Version:** 0.3.8.1 (released December 13, 2008).
- **Official Website:** https://enselic.github.io/recordmydesktop/
- **Source Code Repository:** https://github.com/Enselic/recordmydesktop
- **Availability:** Available in official repositories for Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, openSUSE, and Ubuntu.

## FAQs
### Q: Is recordMyDesktop free to use?
A: Yes, recordMyDesktop is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License. This grants users the freedom to run, study, modify, and distribute the software.

### Q: What operating systems does recordMyDesktop run on?
A: recordMyDesktop is designed specifically for the Linux operating system. It is widely supported across various Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Arch Linux.

### Q: When was the most recent version of recordMyDesktop released?
A: The most recent stable release is version 0.4.0, which was published on March 14, 2021. Prior to that, the software had not seen a stable release since late 2008.

## Why It Matters
recordMyDesktop serves as a dedicated tool for the Linux community, addressing the need for accessible desktop recording capabilities within a free and open-source ecosystem. Its significance lies in its broad integration across major Linux distributions—such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux—making it a readily available solution for users who need to create tutorials, report bugs, or demonstrate software workflows without purchasing proprietary tools.

The project demonstrates resilience and community utility, evidenced by its long-term presence and a significant update in 2021 (version 0.4.0) following a hiatus of over a decade since the 2008 release. By operating under the GNU General Public License, it ensures that users retain the right to inspect and modify the code, aligning with the core philosophy of the Linux platform. Its continued availability in package repositories highlights its ongoing relevance as a utility for Linux users.

## Notable For
- **Broad Linux Integration:** It is available in the official repositories of nearly every major Linux distribution, including Debian, Gentoo, and Arch Linux.
- **Open Source Licensing:** It is fully licensed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring user freedoms for modification and redistribution.
- **Long-term Maintenance:** The project received a notable update in 2021 (v0.4.0) after a 13-year gap since the previous stable release in 2008.
- **Specialized Utility:** It is specifically built for screencasting on Linux, distinct from general video capture tools.

## Body

### Overview and Functionality
recordMyDesktop is a screencasting application categorized as free software. Its primary use is the capture of desktop activity to create screencasts. The software utilizes the resources of the Linux operating system to record on-screen actions, making it a standard utility for users requiring video documentation of their system interface.

### Development and Version History
The software has seen distinct phases of development.
- **Version 0.3.8.1:** This stable version was released on December 13, 2008.
- **Version 0.4.0:** Marked as the latest stable release, this version became available on March 14, 2021.

The source code is currently hosted on GitHub under the repository "Enselic/recordmydesktop," facilitating ongoing development and access to the codebase.

### Platform and Distribution
recordMyDesktop is exclusively tailored for the Linux operating system. It is highly accessible to users through native package managers across different distributions:
- **Arch Linux:** `recordmydesktop`
- **Debian:** `recordmydesktop`
- **Fedora:** `recordmydesktop`
- **Gentoo:** `media-video/recordmydesktop`
- **openSUSE:** `recordmydesktop`
- **Ubuntu:** `recordmydesktop`

### Technical Properties
The software is written in a programming language identified by the ID Q15777 (C). It is recognized under the `alternativeto_software_id` as `gtk-recordmydesktop` and maintains a presence on Repology under the project name `recordmydesktop`. Additional identifiers include a Freebase ID (`/m/05ztqjj`) and a pro_linux.de database application ID of 9526. An image of the main screen is archived on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/recordmydesktop/files/recordmydesktop/)
2. [Release v0.4.0. 2021](https://github.com/Enselic/recordmydesktop/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013