CNET Editors' review
Like all mind maps, FreeMind gives you the flexibility to organize thoughts on a page as they connect to each other and to the larger picture. After all, not all minds reason in subheadings and bullet points. You shape, place, and name that master idea (the root node), then create child or sibling spokes that relate to it.
FreeMind encompasses a fine range of features, including scads of icons and color formatting options to help you visually organize concepts. It also supports hyperlinks, which allow you to link Web sites and even documents to a map. In addition, you'll be able to export your landscape of thoughts in a variety of formats, including HTML, PDF, and JPEG. As flexible as it lets your mind be, FreeMind works within an older-style logical structure that could get frustrating for some. For instance, you must insert nodes by hand or using a hot key; you can't click and drag to create them (a shame).
It's evident how mind maps like FreeMind can hasten note-taking, or help you visualize a project, paper, or process. However, a revamped interface with more intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and versioning for collaborators wouldn't hurt, either.
Publisher's Description
From FreeMind Team:
FreeMind is intended for editing Mind maps, XML/HTML documents, and directory trees. In future, even network-structures will be supported such as Topic Maps (ISO). All this data is represented to the user as a Mind map. This is achieved with a modular design, which makes it possible to easily write modules, only designing the model of the problem (the data structure), without caring for the visual representation at all. Currently a Mind Mapping and a File Mode are implemented.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 32 votes
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Current version:
4.5 starsout of 8 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-8 of 8
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"Easy flowing Mind-Mapping program. I Love it!"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
I found I can change the order of bubbled items using the CTRL + Cursor (Up/Down)!
The ease of entering new thoughts and creating mind maps is great!
The program shows when it has been changed with an "*" in the title and no "*" when 'Saved'... so I have a visual confirmation that the computer actually saved my latest mind-map changes. I like that!
I can easily expand and collapse nodes, with a double-click.Cons
I haven't figured out any way to make the bubbles/circles change sides from left to right, however, the program does have 'handles' on the circles which I can readily reposition on 'that' side.
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"Fast, Flexible, Pretty"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
the one software that can capture the train of your thought, even when it seems you can't, or when there doesn't seem to be a train at all - what often starts as a simply collection of notes is swiftly organised and re-organised as patterns emerge, entries appear and disappear - the layout is strongly reminiscent of hand-drawn mind-maps, 'images' are therefore powerful, easy to remember and literally 'food for thought' - perfect for developing a plan of action, the points of a negotiation or due diligence process or the clauses of contracts - and keep such lists 'alife' as projects evolve
Cons
none worth mentioning
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"A good first experience."
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
Fairly intuitive. Lots of options. Fun to play with, but is very useful at the same time.
Cons
Have not figured out how to move nodes around. They shift but stay in their original order.
Summary
My first mind mapping software experience, and a good one.
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"Good for personal project mangement"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
Flexible and easy to use
Cons
Notes can't be converted to new seperate mind maps
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"Excellent program. Compare with Freeplane. Use both"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
Easy to use. Immediately helps one visualize the organization of ones thoughts. Horizontal organization is easier to use than vertical organization (outline) schemes used in word processors.
Cons
Too easy. One may have a tendency to create too many new idea lines and then it becomes difficult find the idea line one made some time ago. One's own personal organization a must. Too easy to lose track.
Summary
I recommend this program highly to help one clarify ones ideas, organize projects, writing, etc. It should be given to every student starting as soon as they can type. I suggest one also download Freeplane and compare. Both are excellent choices. I am not sure which is better.
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"Great free mind map"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
Very easy to use
Cons
Lacks colour to group similar items
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"I use this program every day."
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
intuitive, low overhead, robust
Cons
could use a simple way to change storage paths on a branch of info. I moved some things to a different hard drive and had to re-enter the addresses for the links. There might be a search and replace that I wasn't patient
Summary
This is a really great program. When you are tired of looking for stuff on your hard drives and tired of trying to sort out all the details of your life, give this a try. It has sure helped me.
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"A major improvement in utility"
Version: FreeMind 0.9
Pros
WYSIWYG textual note attachments.
Cons
I'm still looking...
Summary
FreeMind has grown up to make irrelevant the commercial-class mindmapping software that I once spent hundreds of dollars to buy.
Results 1-8 of 8
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