20 Nov
Review: FreeMind 0.8.1
by means of Tim Haddock, Macworld.com
Looking for a mind mapping application that packs a powerful punch, takes it facile on your wallet, and is a dream to practice, even for a convert? FreeMind 0.8.1 will get you two-thirds of the way there.
Product:FreeMind 0.8.1 Rating ProsImpressive trait set; free download; flexible import and export options; nutriment for images in mind maps; search capability. ConsUnappealing interface; software hangs frequently on launch; counterintuitive keyboard shortcuts. CompanyFreeMind Price as ratedFree OS compatibility10.2 (Jaguar), 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard) Processor compatibilityUniversal
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Java-based and open source, FreeMind is not going to win more beauty contests. FreeMind’s own FAQ puts it best: “Mac OS X users usually have higher expectations when it comes to usability and UI consistency, so they might become frustrated by the lack of obedience to their user interface guidelines.” Thankfully, what it lacks in looks, it makes up in ability—especially when you consider that other fully featured programs like Mindjet MindManager () fetch $129.
One thing that makes FreeMind especially handy on this account that note-taking: as you create nodes—the idea nugget pile blocks of mind mapping—the program automatically arranges and tidies up your node placement within your screen real estate, so you’ll never have to worry about nodes inadvertently overlapping, since they might in a program like MindNode. On the other hand, FreeMind doesn’t give you much freedom to rearrange and format your mind map, so it’s a bit of a tradeoff.
If you’re a mind-mapping neophyte, plan for some warm-up time with the program before getting any real work done. Every mind chart will start with a root node. Hit the tab key to create a baby node. Or select a child node and hit the return key to create a sibling node. Knowing these two shortcuts will help you begin to move moderately beautiful nimbly.
Sometimes you’ll want to graphically tie nodes together without creating a hierarchical relationship between them. To bring into being a graphic link between nodes, clinch down shift-control and then drag between nodes. FreeMind provides a variety of ways to graphically highlight a node, including adding icons or colored cloud shapes.
FreeMind too offers preliminary support for the sake of PNG, JPEG, and GIF images in your mind maps. The feature worked well through small images, but don’t plan on resizing a large JPEG within FreeMind. Also note that a node can contain either text or an image, not both. The easiest way around this is to make either the picture or the text a child node to the other.
FreeMind cleverly provides its documentation as a mind map concerning browsing, enabling the user to quickly grasp the capabilities of the software and possible uses for its features.
The key advantage for me of electronic design maps over their hard copy equivalents is searchability. Without search functionality, it can be difficult to find the one key phone number or contact name buried within a massive mind map. FreeMind enables you to search within a node and in all of its descendant nodes. To search your entire mind map, simply choose the top-level parent node judgment seeking.
FreeMind boasts a number of export and import options, that accord. you some flexibility. In addition to exporting to HTML and XML formats, FreeMind can import your existing MindManager mind maps. FreeMind also offers a “freemind browser” applet that lets people browse your mind maps on your Web site—whether or not they have the FreeMind software installed.
Though I did not experience any crashes by FreeMind, I did brush very frequent and frustrating hangs on the welcome screen when I launched the application. FreeMind hopes to chasten this Mac-specific, Java-related issue in a future update.
Macworld’s buying advice
FreeMind 0.8.1 may not deliver the user experience and interface you’ve come to expect on your Mac, further it does offer an abundance of features and capabilities at a price no undivided can argue with—absolutely informal. If you’re a function-over-form type, FreeMind may be right for you. But if you attain to the application less than perceived at once and want something simpler, sign out a more user-friendly, no-cost take notice of mapping app like MindNode.
[Tim Haddock is a freelance writer based in Vermont.]
