Mind mapping software

Mind maps are useful laying out all the interrelated issues on a single sheet. I find it useful when mapping out progress of projects old and new. From a central node/aim, branches can drivers for the aim etc.

To create mind maps, there are several options. MindManager is a paid software. The open source equivalent is the FreeMind. I covered this in Useful Free Applications post. After a few years, there was a lack of improvement, and someone forked it to become Freeplane. Now there are several cloud based mind map options, eg Miro. These are typically tied to paid plans

Listed below are some things that I found to make Freeplane more user friendly.

1. Navigation
   • Insert node down level – Tab
   • Go to next/previous node – Ctrl+Alt+left/right
2. My favourite settings
   • Default template
     • Tools, Preference, Environment, Files. Standard template: light_nord_template.mm
   • Default Save directory
     • Tools, Preference, Environment, Save. Default save directory: In Documents folder, create a sub folder.
   • Highlight active node
     • Tools, Preference, Defaults, Selection Colors. Check “Display selected nodes in bubbles”
3. Connector
   • Insert connector – Control click to select 2 nodes. Right mouse click and select Connect or use Ctrl+L to create
   • Delete connector – Right mouse click on connector, click on “Remove connector” button.

Freeplane download

Edit: I am blogging my way out of a slump.