Freemind is an open source tool that is very useful for outlining and mind-mapping. It is written in Java, and runs on OSX, Windows, and Linux. You can also read a more detailed description of Freemind. This is a quick rundown on the basics of using it.

Download Freemind here http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download

In a nutshell, Freemind allows you to create outlines, but in a visual, tree-structure style. You can easily prune an item (or whole branch of items) from one spot and graft it on in another spot with a single click and drag. Whole branches can also be collapsed (to be re-opened as needed) in order to tidy up large, complex outlines.

Handling the Map

While you can move a large mind map around with the scrollbars, it's much faster to just move the map around by clicking and dragging an empty part of the background.

Working With Nodes

Each item in the branching structure is a “node” (a node is basically a point in your outline). Nodes can be text, hyperlinks, graphics, and more.

When you open Freemind, start a new mind map (document) by pressing CMD + N (CTRL + N on Win/Linux).

The oval in the middle is the root node.

To make a new node, select an existing one (roll over to highlight it) and:

• Hit RETURN to add a sibling node after it (at the same level in the outline)
• Hit TAB to to add a child node “below” it

After your node is created, you can start typing, then hit RETURN to finish.

To edit the content of a node:

• If it is the last one on a branch, you can just click it to edit. Hit RETURN to finish.
• If it is a node that has child nodes, clicking it will collapse/expand the children. Roll over it so it is highlighted, and hit F2 to edit it.

To move a node, click and drag it over the right end of the node you want to graft it onto (make it a child of) and release (you will see a gradient highlight when you you are correctly positioned).

To change the styling of a node

You can either style a node from scratch, or copy a style from another node. To go from scratch, go to Format on the main menu. To copy another node’s style, roll your mouse over a node to highlight the one that has the format you want, then hit ALT/OPT + C. Then highlight the node you want to copy the format onto, and hit ALT/OPT + V. If you made something green and want it white again, either use CMD/CTRL + Z to undo, or use the Format > Node Background Color menu.

Try a Sample Mindmap

Download this simple test map, and edit it using the following instructions:

The big grey “bubbles” are applied/removed by hitting CMD/CTRL + SHIFT + B

The green boxes on the page nodes are created with the Format > Node Background Color menu. The easiest way to apply that format to something new is do the copy/paste as described above under “To change the styling of a node”

Toggling Bold and Italic is done with CMD/CTRL + B or I

If you are curious about how to do more, you can go to Help > Documentation and it will pull up a mind map full of samples and explanations.