Ubuntu Tips n Tricks

5 Best Free/Open-Source Mind Mapping Software for Linux

Posted: 08 Aug 2009 04:42 AM PDT

An outline used to illustrate words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea is called a mind map. A mind map is utilized to manage ideas and arguments making it an effective utility in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.

Since mind mapping techniques have been proven to enhance learning more efficiently than the conventional note taking, several mind mapping software have been created. Here are some of the best Free and Open Source mind mapping applications that are available for Linux:

FreeMind
FreeMind is probably one of the most if not the most popular mind mapping application for Linux. In 2008, it was nominated for Best Project category in SourceForge.net's Community Choice Awards. Free mind is written in Java making it portable across multiple platforms. As with other mind mapping software packages, it allows the user to edit a hierarchical set of ideas around a central concept. Here are some of FreeMind's most important features:

* Folding branches
* Save files as XML
* Export hypertext to HTML and XHTML
* Export documents to PDF and OpenDocument
* Export images to PNG, JPEG and SVG
* Web and file hyperlinks from nodes
* FreeMind browser/player for web in Java or Flash
* Transform maps using XSLT

VUE (Visual Understanding Environment)
The Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is developed by the Academic Technology group at Tufts University. It is focused on creating flexible tools for managing and integrating digital resources in support of teaching, learning and research. VUE provides a flexible visual environment for structuring, presenting, and sharing digital information. Using VUE's concept mapping interface, faculty and students design semantic networks of digital resources drawn from digital libraries, local and remote file systems.

XMind
XMind is a brainstorming and mind mapping software tool developed by XMind Ltd. It supports mind maps, fishbone diagrams, tree diagrams, org-charts, logic charts, and even spreadsheets. It is often used for knowledge management, meeting minutes, task management, and GTD. XMind is compatible with FreeMind. A commercial version called XMind Pro can export the mind maps into Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, PDF and Mindjet MindManager documents.

Compedium
Compendium provides a flexible visual environment for managing the connections between information and ideas allowing people to structure and record collaboration as they work through difficult problems. The software is currently released by the non-profit Compendium Institute. Some of its main features include:

* Drag and drop documents/websites onto a map
* Complete freedom to arrange icons
* Keyword tagging
* Ability to Create 'Dialogue Maps' to display links to everyone's ideas in group projects
* Learning pathways sharing

VYM (View Your Mind)
VYM (View Your Mind) is a simple but effective tool for storing and modifying information in an intuitive way. For example, you can reorder parts of the map by pressing a key, or easily add various information (like a complete email) using a simple mouse click. Here are several features of VYM:

* import of Freemind maps
* function to export from tomboy to vym
* export to CSV spreadsheet
* copy from past steps in history to current one
* autosave
* simple Editor for scripts
* syntax highlighting for editor
* export of map to HTML or XML
* fast one-click navigation