Freeware demonstration

My first screencast is complete! To be honest, it is a very uncomfortable situation listening to one's voice telling others how to use a site, especially when I am not too familiar with the site. For my screencast I gave a basic tutorial on how to create a mind map on FreeMind. FreeMind is a program downloaded through Java onto one's desktop. After you click the FreeMind icon it takes you to a blank page where you are free to roam the site and create your mind map. Mind maps are a unique and organized way of keeping your plans, job experience, or favorite sports teams in order (...just to name a few ways to use the maps!)

FreeMind was very confusing to me. I did not understand the difference between "child node" and "sibling node" under the "Insert" tab. I felt the site did not do a decent job of explaining the different tools and left the user confused and frustrated as to how to create the most efficient mind map for his or her personal use.

Aside from my confusion for the site, I did like the icons on the left side of the page. The icons varied from numbers (so the user could list the most important tasks highest to lowest or vice versa) as well as the lightbulb to show good ideas, or the green check or red X to show approval or disapproval. It is a good way to show progress in planning, especially when shared with others, because other individuals have a clean and sufficient way of showing what he or she may have liked or disliked about a specific point in the process.

Just like anything, I am confident my abilities in FreeMind and screencasting will improve with the more time and practice placed into perfecting these tools.