What kind of information exactly do you want to capture and/or edit?
screen snapshots - Use the good old "print screen" button on your keyboard. Alt-PrintScreen just captures the active, focused Window in Microsoft Windows. Completely 100% free.
Games - Fraps software does a wonderful job.
SnagIt - records actual Windows, mouse, keyboard, etc in Windows. You could, for example, make a demonstration of you using a certain program like you see on those cool TV infomercials and play it back like a regular movie. Gracious demo period, cheap.
Webcam? - ChillCam, ConquerCam are good solutions. I believe they may be cheap or have a gracious demo period.
Video Editing software - VirtualDub is a good video editing software.. not sure exactly what functions it can perform for you. 100% free.
Here is a good listing of video editing software -
http://www.labdv.com/software/editing-en.html
Again, your request was sort of vague to me, so if these don't fit the bill, be more specific about your issue. At any rate, they are listed here for anyone who needs them =)
