FreeMind is open-source mind mapping software written in Java that can be used for projects, research, note-taking and more. It allows creating hierarchical nodes and links, customizing colors and styles, importing/exporting maps. The document provides instructions on how to use FreeMind's basic functions like creating nodes, links, and changing formatting, as well as alternatives to FreeMind.

1. Mind Mapping Software

2. FreeMind is a free software, written in Java, licensed under GPL -GNU General Public License Wikipedia Link: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download

3. Current users of FreeMind use it for the following purposes: Keeping track of projects , including subtasks, state of subtasks and time recording Project workplace , including links to necessary files, executables, source of information and of course information Workplace for internet research using Google and other sources Essay writing and brainstorming Database -Keeping a small database of something with structure that is either very dynamic or not known in advance . Commented internet favorites or bookmarks , with colors and fonts having the meaning you want.

4. This is a Mindmap that I made using an example from the user guide. Root "parent" node ⇑ ➹ Child Nodes ➸ ➷ Menu Bar Formatting Bar

5. Features: Fully functional following of HTML links stored in the nodes, be it www links or links to local files. Fast one-click navigation , including folding / unfolding on one click and following links on one click at the same time. Undo Smart Drag'n Drop , including the possibility to copy nodes or copy style of nodes; dragging and dropping of multiple selected nodes; dropping of texts or list of files from outside Smart copying and pasting Export of map to HTML , with folding Built in icons It can be easily customized and has a set of extensive features It's user friendly !

6. Let's get you started: When you open a New map ( Command N ) you will see a blank screen with a grey ellipse "node" that says New Mindmap . Click on the "node" and begin typing, this is the "Root node." A " Child " node branches off from the " Parent " (root) node. Go to Menu Bar> Insert> New Child Node A " Sibling " node is positioned at the same level of the reference. -To create a sibling node below the active node press Enter -To create a sibling node above the active node, press Shift+Enter

7. Collapse and open information on a node by clicking the circle. Drag nodes into different postions: by placing your cursor at the end of a node, an ellipse will appear, click on the ellipse, then drag the node into any position. Highlighting nodes with clouds: Select the node(s) of your choice, go to Insert > Cloud. Change the cloud color: Select the main node of the cloud, then go to Format > Cloud color > select color

8. You can change the color of your text. Format > Node Color > Select color

9. You can change the background color of your nodes. Format > Node Background Color > Select color

10. You can change the color, width and style of the lines to your nodes. Change the look of the lines from "fork" to "bubble" shapes.

11. Just another example-

12. Alternatives to using Freemind: Inspiration - free for 30 days View your Mind MindGenius Thinkgraph (website in french) MS Word Powerpoint

13. Here is a pretty good Freemind user guide that I found. http://www.scribd.com/doc/4702175/Freemind-Software-Userguide-Mindmap It helped me do some of the basics, and it has further instructions on how to do more advanced operations. Saving Exporting Links and Hype links Pictures and more... Good Luck!!