When it comes to screen recording, Camtasia is the first that comes to the mind. However, popularity comes with a price. You can use Camtasia for 30 days for free but then the charge is $199!
I have been looking for a free and easy to use desktop application to record my screen. Icecream Screen Recorder gets the job done easily.
It can record the entire screen or an are you select. The free version can record up to 5 minutes. If you want to record longer videos, PRO version is $30.