Open Source Snipping Tool or ScreenCapture tool

[aura]

People using Windows Vista Home Premium,Bussiness or Ultimate must be familiar with the Snipping Tool ( a screen capture utility ) that comes preinstalled with these editions.

I am looking for a similar screen capture tool for Windows XP and Vista Basic but it should be a freeware or open source software.

A popular screencapture software SnagIT is available but "IT IS NOT FREE". I am looking for really worthwhile freeware alternatives for this software.

[coolpcguy]

Camtasia, Jing project, to name couple

[anurag_bhd]

For this purpose, I prefer to use an online Java-based tool:
http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

Works great in all OSes - Windows and Linux. You just need to have JRE installed to be able to use it. It's completely free.

[Crazykiller]

Plz provide a download link for Camtasia, Jing project etc