Using Open Source FreeMind for Mind Mapping
FreeMind Makes Software Based Mind Maps Simple, Fun, and Free
Sep 10, 2009
According to 12Manage, mind mapping is a technique created in the 1960's by British psychologist Tony Buzan. Mind maps are a visual, creative way for taking notes, brainstorming new ideas, or structuring information.
Many people draw mind maps by hand on paper, but there is a wide selection of mind mapping software available today. For people looking to try software based mind mapping for free, or for open source software enthusiasts, FreeMind is the best option.
Mind Mapping Stays Neat and Organized with FreeMind
One issue with hand drawn mind maps is that once they reach a certain size, they become difficult to keep organized and readable. Mind maps are formed with the keyword or topic of the map in the center, with different concepts or options branching out from it. When mapping a keyword that has 40 or 50 concepts to branch off of it, software usually does a better job of keeping things neat.
FreeMind makes it easy to keep large and complicated maps organized. It lets you add and subtract branches quickly, and whole branches can be collapsed at any level with one click. Icons and images can also be added very easily from within the program or imported from personal files.
While there are issues with image quality with imported photos, as reported on the FreeMind website, large photos tend to distort a map and make it difficult to view anyways. Small, thumbnail sized photos are the best option for adding photos and graphics to a FreeMind map. Colors and fonts can also be changed to add personalization or emphasis to a mind map.
Conversion and HTML Links
FreeMind autosaves regularly, meaning less of a risk for data loss than most programs of it's kind. It can only auto save once you've saved the map at least once, and given it a filename. The most recently used map will automatically load when the program is started. You can also choose to have a specific map always load, or for a blank map to load when the program starts.
As Open Source software, FreeMind has some glitches and bugs, but the software developers do their best to provide solutions through the Support forum on the website. One advantage to this program is the file format. FreeMind saves the maps created with it in XML format, making it easy to switch to another program without having to reformat files.
HTML is also supported by FreeMind, in two different ways. The first is the ability to add HTML links, either by adding the HTML code or by simply copying and pasting into the map, to any website or Internet hosted file. This can create a dynamic, interconnected map system. The other HTML support allows users to export their map into an HTML file. This makes sharing a map with others that don't have the FreeMind program very easy.
FreeMind is Very Easy to Use
When starting a new mind map in FreeMind, a blank white map with a single oval in the center is the starting point. The main topic or focus of the map is added into that first oval, by clicking on it and typing the word or phase in. From there adding branches is simple - either right click the oval and choose New Child Node, or press the Insert button on the keyboard. Adding a Sibling Node can be done through the right click menu, or with the Enter button on the keyboard.
The differences between these two nodes are very quickly understood when using the software. There's no right and wrong way to set up a mind map - it's a matter of personal choice. Encrypted maps are also easy to create, through a set of choices found through the File menu.
FreeMind does have a few drawbacks. Although software created mind maps are not the works of art some hand drawn maps are, they tend to be easier to change and can be much larger and more complicated while still being legible. FreeMind is also not intended for collaborative use. Although sharing maps is simple, only the creator can edit the map. It can be difficult to view the whole map when it gets extremely large, even when fully zoomed out.
FreeMind is the Simplest Free Mind Mapping Software
There are many mind mapping softwares available online today, both commercial and open source or free. While some of the other programs have fancier tools or a more defined focus on a specific type of map, FreeMind does the best job of being quick to learn, flexible enough to make many different types of maps, and lets the user share their maps with others who don't have the program.
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