Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Have you ever drawn a mind map? We bet you have. Mind maps are the kind of diagrams that business planners, mad scientists, and other innovative types scribble over blackboards and whiteboards, linking balloons and boxes with a variety of lines, arrows, and assorted scribblings. Ordinary people might draw one on a napkin while planning out their day. In any case, mind maps are one of the most flexible, useful, and intuitive planning techniques known. Open Mind is freeware for creating customized mind maps for any use you can think of. You can insert text, images, and even YouTube video links into map bubbles, though the video option requires an active Internet link, preferably broadband.
Open Mind opens with a plain field containing one balloon, a rounded-edge rectangle. We started by typing text into the bubble, which called up a chat-style text entry box that made it easy to enter and embed large sections of text into map objects. We right-clicked the map field and selected New Bubble. A drop-down menu on the toolbar let us choose from a variety of shapes for our new bubble, including triangles, circles, and many more. Open Mind makes it easy to change background, object, and line colors, and even change the thickness of the lines connecting objects on the map. There's a full-screen option but not much else in the way of extras: No bells and whistles, but everything you need to create a clear, colorful mind map of any process, idea, plan, schedule, relationship, or system you can think of. The program's Help file and FAQS include useful screenshots.
We quickly created some basic but easily expanded mind maps to try out Open Mind. We especially like the ability to embed video links to YouTube since so many companies and individuals use online videos for instructions, documentation, and additional information. The mind maps Open Mind creates can be saved, printed, and exported in a range of document types, too, making them great for meetings, classrooms, and even home use. If you don't think freeware can beat napkin scribbles, we recommend trying Open Mind.
Publisher's Description
From Open Mind:
Open Mind is a free brainstorming and mind mapping software. It is capable of creating completely customizable mind maps in such an easy way that anyone can grasp its controls. Every bubble can be set to 3 different 'data types': text, image or YouTube video. Text can be set to any font, any colour and any size to create a bold heading or a smaller sub bubble. Images can be copied from the clipboard, browsed from file or simply enter the URL web address of an image. All images in the document get saved into the mind map file so you can edit your file anywhere without the need to carry images separably. YouTube videos can also be set but internet connection is required for this. Not only is the content editable but the way the bubble looks can be too. The size, shape, border and colours can be adjusted to suit your purpose and needs. All document made in Open Mind can be exported as an image file to share online or printed out on paper. Open Mind really is one of the best mind mapping softwares around. Its the 5th best brainstorming program on CNET and the 3rd best free brainstorming software. Open Mind is really worth giving a try to see for your self how good Open Mind is because it's a completely free software and is constantly getting new updates to improve on its current features.
What's new in this version: Version 2 is a complete rewrite from the ground up. All of the core features still exist as well as new ones:
- Faster Graphics
- Shape Add-ons
- Themes
- Improved Interface
- Advanced export options
- 'Curved' line style
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3 votes
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Current version:
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"Missing a few basic features"
Version: Open Mind 1.5
Pros
- easy to use
Cons
- cannot connect existing "bubbles/text boxes"
- connectors do not have arrows
- no text alignment
- Help file has very limited informationSummary
I was looking forward to try out this application for my agile brainstorming session. I was impressed by the simplistic approach to the UI. Unfortunately it's missing some basic features. It's a good tool if you only need to create boxes and have lines to connect them with. You cannot create flows as the lines (or connectors) do not have arrows. After jotting down many ideas in the text boxes, I found out I couldn't use "Attach Bubble" to link existing boxes. That's a real bummer... now if have to find another tool for my brainstorming sessions :(
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"Amazing piece of freeware you got there."
Version: Open Mind 1.3
Pros
Mind maps without mess.
Easy storage.
Simple, easy to use layout.
Attractive and easy to use GUI.Cons
No custom shapes.
No ability to attach a file.Summary
This program is useful for classrooms, work, or messing about with your siblings or children. It allows you to make mind maps without wasting pen ink and pencil lead. Fun to mess around with. A must for people who like to write stories!
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"Truely amazing software."
Version: Open Mind 1.3
Pros
I really like the simplicity and ease of use. It has lots of useful features which other brainstorming programs dont have. I strongly suggest this software.
Cons
No major 'cons' however I would like to see custom shapes in a future update.
Summary
Openmind over all is really reliable software which has managed to suit all of my needs. I strongly suggest the software to anyone who has a creative flare!
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