Dragging-and-dropping plain text with leading spaces
Sometimes, I come across software I don't want to miss even after the shortest test drive. In case of FreeMind, several hours of testing and playing just amplified my first impression: this one rocks.
FreeMind is a GNU-licensed mind mapper written in Java, similar to the commercial MindManager, just that it is free, fast, and cross-platform. Some notes:
- Lightweight (just 300k), unbloated feature set, no-frills interface, good keyboard shortcut set
- Fast folding and unfolding even of large trees
- Data storage in XML format; Freemind-to-MindManager, MindManger-to-Freemind, Freemind-to-DocBook XSLT files available
- Anything can be linked: local or remote files, folder, executables
- Smart drag-and-drop / copy-and-paste features (see screenshot)
- Browse directories as mind maps - this can be very handy to visualize folder and file structures of software you work on. Any file or folder can be map root
- Viewer applet available - putting it on a web or intranet site, others can browse your maps. There is a find function in both editor and browser. Alternatively, maps can be exported as HTML foldable trees
- Resulting maps are clean and elegant; if you want to scatter clip art or images across your map, this one might not be for you
- Most missed feature: undo function
So if you want a mind mapper that simply works, FreeMind is worth a serious look.
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