1. A computer-implemented method of capturing and treating content using a computer system having a processor, memory, and data storage subsystems, the computer-implemented method comprising: setting a mode of operation to a content capture mode for interpreting user input for the purpose of selecting an on-screen region of a display, and receiving a path drawn by a user, the path defining boundaries of the selected on-screen region of the display, wherein pixels comprising one or more graphical elements representing a first set of one or more textual characters are displayed in the selected on-screen region; capturing the pixels displayed within the selected on-screen region, and storing the captured pixels in an image file; switching the mode of operation to an annotation mode in response to a user command; receiving an annotation drawn by the user on the display, wherein the received annotation is implemented using a plurality of tools via a toolbar, the toolbar appearing after the selecting an on-screen region; obtaining context information for the one or more graphical elements by automatically applying text recognition to the annotation, and storing the results of the text recognition as context information via the computer system, wherein certain context information comprises preventive measures that limit an association of history with the one or more graphical elements based upon digital rights management licenses, and obtaining additional context information by extracting the first set of one or more textual characters and extracting a second set of textual characters displayed in proximity with the first set, wherein the context information and the additional context information are automatically stored in association with the image file.
1. A computer-implemented method of capturing and treating content using a computer system having a processor, memory, and data storage subsystems, the computer-implemented method comprising: setting a mode of operation to a content capture mode for interpreting user input for the purpose of selecting an on-screen region of a display, and receiving a path drawn by a user, the path defining boundaries of the selected on-screen region of the display, wherein pixels comprising one or more graphical elements representing a first set of one or more textual characters are displayed in the selected on-screen region; capturing the pixels displayed within the selected on-screen region, and storing the captured pixels in an image file; switching the mode of operation to an annotation mode in response to a user command; receiving an annotation drawn by the user on the display, wherein the received annotation is implemented using a plurality of tools via a toolbar, the toolbar appearing after the selecting an on-screen region; obtaining context information for the one or more graphical elements by automatically applying text recognition to the annotation, and storing the results of the text recognition as context information via the computer system, wherein certain context information comprises preventive measures that limit an association of history with the one or more graphical elements based upon digital rights management licenses, and obtaining additional context information by extracting the first set of one or more textual characters and extracting a second set of textual characters displayed in proximity with the first set, wherein the context information and the additional context information are automatically stored in association with the image file. 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more graphical elements comprise underlying data, underlying objects, and underlying associations with remote content.