Freemind Mind Mapping

[Gigí Ruais]

FreeMindis a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. The recent development has hopefully turned it into high productivity tool. We are proud that the operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster than that of Mind Manager because of one-click "fold / unfold" and "follow link" operations.

FreeMind is a free mind mapping application written in Java, which is further developed by the fork Freeplane. FreeMind itself was last updated in 2014. FreeMind is licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 2.[3] It provides extensive export capabilities. It runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS via the Java Runtime Environment.[4][5][6]

As with other mind mapping software packages, FreeMind allows the user to edit a hierarchical set of ideas around a central concept. The non-linear approach assists in brainstorming new outlines and projects as ideas are added around the mind map.[4] As a Java application, FreeMind is portable across multiple platforms and retains the same user interface, causing some amount of variation from the common interface on each platform. Mac users may notice the most difference from their traditional user interface, but a MacWorld reviewer says the software's features should still appeal to the segment of users who accept function over form.[7]

FreeMind's documentation is itself available as a FreeMind mindmap, demonstrating many of the features of the application. This is accessed from the application menu: Help > Documentation.[10] A flash based export of this documentation is available online and can be viewed from flash-enabled web browsers.[10] The link can be found in the external links section.

FreeMind developers or developers of other projects have made plugins for various wiki and content management system software so that Freemind files can be viewed and in some cases created via the web interface.

I am sorry that I cannot search for the topic before posting, this site has always worked fine on my desktop, but for a while the search button is gone (without me blocking any scripts etc) and I have no idea why. So anyway ...

I cannot see any basic mindmap editor for Joplin (of the style of the "free" Freemind, the archetype mindmapping app for desktops, or possibly Freeplane, it's successor). Not that I would like to edit large mindmaps within Joplin, but a "simple" import of limited, short (text only) mindmaps would be really great.

Does anybody know of a existing plugin which could be tweaked to this feature (which I can't tell from the list of Joplin plugins) ? And if not, would anybody be interested in this idea, may be help me develop the plugin ?

If it helps, it seems that mindmaps are possible with Mermaid 9.2.0 and above. Joplin 2.9.17 uses Mermaid 9.1.7. However you will see from the link that Mermaid 9.2.2 is currently being added to Joplin pre-releases v2.10.2 and above, but is currently not fully working. I do not use mindmaps so I do not know whether this is compatible with how Freemind works.

Thanks shikuz, your response helps, as I did find the Kityminder plugin from within Joplin, but the PlantUML plug-in I missed.

Any practical use-case (to show simple mindmaps in Joplin) does however heavily depend on the ability to create mindmaps in an outside editor and have them imported through the plug-in. In contrast both of the suggested solutions do seem to depend on manual text input, and a new version of Mermaid be limited in that way.

Thanks again !

Well, there is a snag, at least for the ultra-security minded user.

The plantUML plug-in requires access to the plantUML website "every time" you create or update a graph (or mindmap). Otherwise it creates an error, or just an empty canvass. While you have to carefully review or scan every plugin for malware, this design adds the concern that if this website does ever get infected it could ... in principle ... inject unwanted code into your Joplin database (yes, I know ... this ain't like, many hurdles, no etc.). But for me that doesn't work.

Just in case anybody was interested in the subject.

Checked what kind of control Mermaid offers over its mindmaps. I still think a simple import from an offline, graphic mindmap editor (such as freemind) would let one create mindmaps faster.

The main problem with the (experimental) mermaid implementation is that positions and colors are all set automatic, which leads to big, fancy mindmaps - not very usefull for any serious task.

Back in the dark days when I used to run windows I used to use MindJet Mindmanager and I found it to be very good. Since I have been using Ubuntu as my main operating system I have been trying to find a replacement mind map software to use but have not had any luck finding a good replacment. So far I have tried VYM, kdisset and Semantik. I have either found them not to be very good or have a nasty habit of crashing.

Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building the mind maps. It is a redesigned version of the well known FreeMind, and is created by one of FreeMind's key developers. I prefer it over FreeMind since there are more options. Also, questions or problems with the program are answered and fixed MUCH faster.

After browsing through the various options here, which mostly aren't in 16.04 repos I think, I tried xournal, which I noticed Yann LeCun uses in his lectures. It works pretty well. I modified it slightly so its easier to autorecognize lines -autolines

These answers should be updated as many of these programs appear to be obsoleted. Here is a more current list: -mind-mapping-software-for-linux/ which does NOT include Minder for some reason (probably due to naming, it is difficult to search for "Minder mind mapping software" without a search auto-correcting you away from intended results due to assuming you had a typo or duplicate word)

You could always try running MindJet MindManager under Wine. Apparently some people have had some success doing so. If all else fails, you could run a windows guest system on an Ubuntu host via Virtualbox.

I've been a Tony Buzan Licensed Instructor for several years. (one of the few TBLIs in the USA). I've used Mind Manager, Mind Genius, iMindMap, Mindomo, MindMasterand others, but Xmind is BY FAR my favorite and my 'go to' mind mapping software. It's simple but powerful. The BEST feature is that Xmind works similarly on Android as it does on MS Windows. Of all of the MindMapping software that I use, I recommend Xmind to my students and clients more than any other program. Keep up the good work!!

made it super easy to use the mindmap as a fullscreen presentation tool. As a speaker, it helped stay focused on topic under discussion and not get lost with lots of context switching and scope creep. I think I will try it more

Llevo unos meses estudiando con esta herramienta y es genial !! me ayuda a comprender mucho mejor los temas en mi maestria y tambien con mis hijos les ayuda bastante comprender sus temas, sobre todo cuando tienen examen, la recomiendo mucho para la educacin de cualquier nivel. Inviertele !!

This software has changed my business and my life! The first step in creating my new business was born because my coach suggested using Xmind. In doing my first map I realized that what I had been doing in my 30 year career had value for others and it showed me a path to using it that I had never realized was there. I have since created multiple programs, teach others and have a platform for reaching thousands in my target market. It all started from one mind map! I have continued to use Xmind to create classes, write books and build my business. It's an amazing tool!

I was not convinced about mindmapping representation before I discover XMind. Now, 99% of my work of Microsoft Visio has been migrated to XMind and my headhaches have disappeared. Thank you for your product that have upgraded the quality of my work (creation of training supports and videos)

Xmind has been part of my super powers for awhile now. What a tool! I use it in so many ways. Recently I did a fish one chart (cause and effect) and then turned it into a action-aspiration diagram. Wow.

Keep up the good work, the product evolved really well. I have been using the product for more than 10 years and I love it. In my current work, XMind was not an approved tool, I fought for it. My management and all my colleagues love it.

Please, I know this may not be the right place. I am learning freemind to dram mind mapping. However, I am getting difficult to arrange the map in such away that it does not leave the gap at the top. I have tried ctrl + drag.Attached is the screenshot. I would like to use latex tikz mind mapping, but I have large visual maps.regards

FreeMind is a cross-platform tool that runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS machines with the Java Runtime Environment installed, which means that it is accessible to most users. It is an open source project, so anyone is welcome to contribute to the software.

FreeMind is an open source project and therefore free to use. It can be downloaded and installed by anyone running a Windows, Linux, or macOS machine, though the product does require the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). JRE is a product offered by Oracle, and you can get it free of charge from the company's website.

Other design features include folding branches, icons on individual nodes, and clouds around branches. And if you want to refer to outside files, you can add HTML links, as well as links to files living on your local machine.

The software stores its maps in XML format, so if you decide to move to another product, you may be able to export the maps it creates and then import them into the tool of your choice (assuming it supports XML imports).

One of the first things you will likely notice is that FreeMind appears a bit dated. Its user interface (UI) screams early 2000s, and we found it somewhat difficult to find the features we needed in the various menus.

If you think there are features missing from the product, you can also log a feature request. However, FreeMind is open source software, so there is no guarantee that your feature request will be implemented.

3a8082e126