These two mind-mapping applications are written in Java and thus run on all major operating systems (Mac, Linux, Windows).
FreeMind
FreeMind is completely free. It has made some great progress in recent years. Tips:
- Switch on “Format → Automatic Layout” in the menu bar. It formats the mind map nicely.
- The default is for nodes to be selected on hover. I prefer having to click to select a node. This behavior can be enabled via “Preferences → Behavior → Selection Method → By Click”.
- Check out the shortcuts in the “Insert” and “Navigate” menus. They really speed up mind map creation.
XMind
XMind has a slick user interface, the basic version is free. Unfortunately, PDF export is a professional feature.
FreeMind is completely free. It has made some great progress in recent years. Tips:
XMind has a slick user interface, the basic version is free. Unfortunately, PDF export is a professional feature.
2 comments:
Never understood the whole mindmapping hype... maybe I'm just too hierarchically structured inside ;).
So, are these two apps RDF-based or what?!
Some hierarchical data feels linear to me, then I use indented bullet lists. Otherwise, mind maps give you slightly quicker visual access by using two dimensions to display the content. I don't buy the hype either, I just find them useful every now and then. And large mind maps need additional tools to be useful, for example tagging.
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