I downloaded Xmind last week and I must start by saying that I am impressed. Very impressed!

Xmind has a unique offering in that it offers a totally usable Free Version, as well as a Professional Version. The professional version has advanced features, but I have not tested it yet.

The Free Version actually contains enough features to get you started.

The interface is very user friendly and I was creating Mind Maps within a few minutes of installing the software without the need for a manual. It certainly does not feel like a free version, unlike so many other open source applications.

The default template is very similar to that of Mind Manager, which does not conform to the puristic Mind Mapping Principles, but it is very usable. I easily changed by Mind Map to have curved, tapered, mulitcoloured lines, which looks more like an organic Mind Map, as recommended by Tony Buzan.

I also imported one of my MindManager Mind Maps, and it imported it effortlessly. I had to rearrange some of the branches, but it was easy enough.

I suggest that you download Xmind today. There is a Windows, a Linux and a Mac version. Go the the XMind website, www.xmind.net to download the software. There are no obligations for you to buy the professional version and the software is a full version, not a trial version.

I like the software so much that I will be suggesting that our students use XMind for all the courses we provide.

Do it now! Download Xmind and become a part of the growing crowd using computer generated Mind Maps.