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Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

drichard.org

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Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#21

Post by drichard »

datadon wrote: post #17
johnnyg wrote: post #5

The UI on this is lovely. What is keeping my office from switching to this is sharing ability. Instead of a file base system, consider having it work like google spreadsheets where I can create a link, specify if it read only or editable, and share it around. A nit pick. Your directions are well written and awesome, but when I create new items, please slide them down so they don't cover my ideas.

I would second "cloud based" (cringe) saving and sharing. Whilst I'm personally not bothered about collaboration, I would love to be able to work on maps across multiple computers (with no Dropbox for local storage). It's a dream to use, congrats on putting something so impressive together.

Thank you very much!

Saving maps online, sharing and collaboration is definitely something I'd like to add in the future.

But if I want to keep the offline editing capability (and I really do) these features are not trivial to implement. Synchronization and conflict resolution hell awaits...

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#22

Post by mgkimsal »

drichard wrote: post #15
mgkimsal wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As cool as the red drop drag is, implementing some standard keys for this will help those who do a lot of mind mapping from the keyboard only. Other than that, looks good so far.

You can press INS to create a new node. Basically, most actions are accessible via the keyboard. Just hover over the toolbar buttons, the hint text contains the shortcut. edit: As pointed out there are no INS keys on macbooks. Will change this to TAB key ASAP.

Didn't seem to notice them in chrome - maybe I didn't hover long enough? I don't have an INS on my macbook pro keyboard. :(

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#23

Post by akaalias »

I'm a big fan and user of mind maps and I like what you have created.

But there is one thing missing - unless I missed it:

Keyboard shortcuts to create sibling and childnodes from any given currently selected node.

The reasoning is that mind-mapping happens fast and I've refused any tool that would need me use my mouse instead of just 'throwing' nodes out there.

Please note that this was the one capability that made me not use most of the desktop apps out there and also had me pay for a license of novamind without asking twice.

Also, but this is to me secondary, the ability to make edges between random nodes can be of great benefit as well. Again, see novamind for their implementation.

Other than that, congratulations to your application!

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#24

Post by cyrus_ »

As someone who makes extensive use of mind mapping and outlining tools, this is very ho-hum. The keyboard shortcuts are nearly non-existent, which immediately kills it. There is also no control over layout. For small maps the fan-out format is fine but for large maps, you really need a format that looks more like a vertical outline.

For an example of outlining done right, check out http://www.checkvist.com/ (I am not affiliated in any way, other than as a customer.)

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#25

Post by akaalias »

akaalias wrote: post #23

I'm a big fan and user of mind maps and I like what you have created. But there is one thing missing - unless I missed it: Keyboard shortcuts to create sibling and childnodes from any given currently selected node. The reasoning is that mind-mapping happens fast and I've refused any tool that would need me use my mouse instead of just 'throwing' nodes out there. Please note that this was the one capability that made…

PS: Novamind's shortcuts are easy, too:

If you have a node selected and

* hit it creates and preselects a new child node. * hit it creates and preselects a new sibling node.

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#26

Post by meentsbk »

Very, very nicely done!

My own (minor) suggestions:

* Make the child note "inherit" the font size of the parent. For example, if I decrease the font size of a node, then create a child, have it use that font size rather than reverting to the default. I guess you could also argue the same for siblings. Or, as an alternative, provide a way to set the default size.

* Ability to change line thickness (and perhaps have the same rules apply as above for inheriting that thickness, where it at least goes to the next size down from the parent's modified size.)

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#27

Post by drichard »

akaalias wrote: post #25
akaalias wrote: post #23

I'm a big fan and user of mind maps and I like what you have created. But there is one thing missing - unless I missed it: Keyboard shortcuts to create sibling and childnodes from any given currently selected node. The reasoning is that mind-mapping happens fast and I've refused any tool that would need me use my mouse instead of just 'throwing' nodes out there. Please note that this was the one capability that made…

PS: Novamind's shortcuts are easy, too: If you have a node selected and * hit it creates and preselects a new child node. * hit it creates and preselects a new sibling node.

Good feedback, thanks!

The shortcuts TAB and SHIFT+TAB make total sense (Why didn't I think of this?). Will push an update tomorrow with those features added.

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#28

Post by laacz »

cyrus_ wrote: post #24

As someone who makes extensive use of mind mapping and outlining tools, this is very ho-hum. The keyboard shortcuts are nearly non-existent, which immediately kills it. There is also no control over layout. For small maps the fan-out format is fine but for large maps, you really need a format that looks more like a vertical outline. For an example of outlining done right, check out http://www.checkvist.com/ (I am not…

+1 for linking to (new to me) checkvist. Keyboard shortcuts done extremely right.

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#29

Post by serichsen »

Never call anything "intuitive". Chances are overwhelming that it isn't for the majority of people.

For the programmer himself, even a "change into meta-workflow-hyper-mode" may seem intuitive, but for someone who never has used a computer, even the moving and clicking of a mouse is _not_ intuitive.

"Intuitive" is a completely subjective concept. A reviewer or user may say "this feels intutive to me", but the programmer or designer cannot sensibly use that word in any stronger way than "I hope that it feels intutive for a large part of my intended audience."

Re: Show HN: An intuitive, offline capable HTML5 mind mapping application

#30

Post by naner »

cyrus_ wrote: post #24

As someone who makes extensive use of mind mapping and outlining tools, this is very ho-hum. The keyboard shortcuts are nearly non-existent, which immediately kills it. There is also no control over layout. For small maps the fan-out format is fine but for large maps, you really need a format that looks more like a vertical outline. For an example of outlining done right, check out http://www.checkvist.com/ (I am not…

Is there any kind of demo or do you have to register to even get a glimpse of this thing? Also looks like it has nothing to do with mind-mapping.
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