HELP:

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HELP

Press Ctrl-F9 to see help topics

The MM/LX command "Reopen map" (Ctrl-F9) always shows a menu of map sections. In the HELP.MM file, each section is dedicated to a help topic.

See also the MM/LX Homepage

See also "HOTWO.TXT"

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File

F9: Open/create map

This command opens a mind map file. If you give a new file name (non-existent file), MM/LX will create a new file andask you if the new map should be empty or loaded from a template. The file name extension .MM will automatically appended if no extension is given.

F8: Create new map within same file

A file can contain several maps. F8 lets you create another map within the same file.

The command offers to use a template for the new map.

It also offers to create a link from the selected item to the new map (if you choose that, the central item will bear the name of the selected item).

If such a multi-map file is opened, MM/LX displays "MULTI" in the topline. A map in a multimap file can be chosen via a manu, which is displayed, if the map is opened and no meta file exists. If a meta file exists, the previous displayed map is opened and you can choose another map by pressing CTRL-F9 (reopen).

Ctrl-F9: Reopen same map

Useful if current file has more than one map in it. You can then choose which map to open. The meta file (where the current view setup is stored) will be deleted.

Shift-F9: Insert template

F10: Save map / meta file

Actions: If "**" is displayed in top line (=map modified), F10 saves the map under the current file name and the display setup under the current file name with extension MM~.

If "*" is displayed in the top line (=only display setup modified), only the meta file is saved.

If neiher "*" nor "**" is displayed in the top line, F10 doesn't have any effect.

If a partial map is selected using ALT-T, MM/LX asks if only that partial map or if the complete map should be saved. If saving only the displayed submap, it is recommended to save under a new file name using Shift-F10.

ShiftF10: Save map under new name

Asks for a new file name for the current map and saves the map and the meta file.

If a partial map is selected using ALT-T, MM/LX asks if only that partial map should be exported or if the complete map should be saved.

Ctrl-E: Run External Program

Programs are defined in the [External] section of MM.CFG

Ctrl-M: Edit link to map

An item can be linked to another mind map. Such a link is displayed as an underline. ENTER opens the map. If a file contains multiple maps, the file name may be followed by '#' followed by the title of the map, e.g.:

test.mm#test2

Ctrl-F: Edit link to file

An item can be linked to a file. Such a link is displayed as an underline. ENTER opens the file in a text editor unless PNS= is specified. (see MM.CFG). Special feature for HTML export: If the link contains an images URL or file with extension .jpg, .jpeg or .gif, these images are embedded into the HTML with an IMG SRC tag. See also MM.CFG section [HTML] parameter EmbedImages.

ESC: Close map

ALT-Q: Terminate program

Ctrl-A: Abort program w/o saving

Ctrl-P: Export as HTML outline

If necessary, MM/LX will ask some questions: - File Name of HTM file (default is map file name with ext. HTM) - HTML style design to use (from [Designs] sectoin in MM.CFG, using the settings from [HTMLx] sections) - Multimap: Export entire multimap or only displayed map

If you give "UseDesign=x" in MM.CFG / [HTML], the design menu is overridden. Useful if you don't use several different designs.

A Mindmap can be converted directly to HTML on the command line with MM /h [/sX] MAPNAME.mm X is the number of the style design to be used. 1 is the default, if that option is omitted. If /h is used for HTML export, no questions are asked, but defaults are used (for fast batch processing without interaction).

The supplied HTMs HELP.HTM and HISTORY.HTM have been generated by simply entering on the command line: mm -h -s2 help mm -h -s2 history

For paramters to change the design of the HTML file, see section MM.CFG.

Ctrl-L: Export as XML outline

This feature is only available in the "x" version of MM/LX (MMX.EXE, e.g. version 3.5x).

The output is compatible with the XML format of the "StageOne!" Outliner for the Linux-based Sharp Zaurus PDAs.

Meta files

Meta files have the file name extension .MM~ MM/LX saves the display setup in such files, so that if you open a map, the display setup can be restored from the meta file.

The meta file does not contain any data of the map itself, so it can be deleted safely. It is automatically deleted by MM/LX to avoid problems, if it does not fit to the map file, e.g. if the map file has been modified outside MM/LX or if the meta file has been edited. If a map is opened and an invalid meta file exists for that map, MM/LX closes the map again, deletes the meta file and asks the user to re-open the map. A default view of the map will then be created. Meta file can be deleted from within MM/LX with hotkey Alt-V.

Following actions cause the internal meta info to be modified, so that the "*" indicator in the top line appears and you can save the meta file by pressing F10:

- moving the cursor to another item - Panning the map with Shift-Cursor key - Zooming the map (Fn-Space) - Hiding / unhiding a subtree (Alt-H / F6) - Modifying the "Branches to the right" setting (Alt-R) - L/R/Center map (Alt-Z) - Collapse at level X (Alt-C) - Submap view (Alt-T) - Return from Submap View (HOME)

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Editing

F5: Edit item text

F2 or +: Add child

If a child is added to an item with a collapsed subtree, the subtree is expanded first automatically.

F4 or *: Add sibling

Ctrl-DEL: Delete and promote

The current item is deleted and all its children are promoted.

INS: Insert item

The position of the marked item is replaced with the new item. The marked item and all its children are demoted.

CUT or Ctrl-X or DEL: Cut to clipboard

Moves the selected item plus all its children to the clipboard and deletes that subtree.

COPY or Ctrl-C: Copy to clipboard

Copies the selected item plus all its children to the clipboard.

PASTE or Ctrl-V: Add clipboard as child

Inserts the clipboard contents as child to the current item.

Ctrl-UP, Ctrl-U: Move item upwards

Ctrl-DOWN, Ctrl-D: Move item downwards

F3 or Ctrl-N: Edit note

Try to keep notes short and simple. Do not use indentation inside notes (for structured lists or so), because indentation is lost on saving and indentation can make MM/LX misinterpret the indented note lines as map items (which will break the entire map!).

For note viewing, it is recommended to install the program LIST or LIST PLUS by Vernon Buerg (www.buerg.com). It is a very fast and convenient file viewer. Use Notes=c:\bin\list.com in MM.CFG to let MM/LX involke LIST for note viewing. If no external program is used at all (given by Notes= entry in MM.CFG), MM/LX's internal viewer is used, but it is very simple and only allows forward scrolling page by page.

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Navigation

Cursor keys move highlight

ENTER: Link / show note / edit note

If there is a note, ENTER shows the note. If there is no note, ENTER follows a link. If there is a note AND a link, Ctrl-ENTER follows the link and Enter shows the note. If there is neither, ENTER opens the edit dialog for the item. Exception: If ENTEREdits=0 is given in MM.CFG / [System]. In that case, ENTER does nothing on a simple item. On an item which is a collapsed subtree, Enter expands that subtree.

A link to a mind map or a text file is shown as underline. A note is announced as a small square to the right of an item. A collapsed subtree is shown with an inverted "+" besides the item.

'&' in item name -> hot key

Example: "Item &Green" makes 'G' a hot key to quickly move to that item. If the item is linked to another map or a file, the link is immediately followed.

Other key: search

If any key is pressed that is not assigned to a function ,a macro or a hot key, MM/LX searches for an item that begins with the character corresponding with that key and marks it. Pressing that key repeatedly, jumps to other matching items.

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Display

Ctrl-R: Refresh screen

ALT-T: Set marked item as top item

i.e. display a so-caled SUBMAP. Indicator "SUB" is displayed in the top line. Return to the entire map with HOME (Fn-CurLeft).

HOME: Set real top item as top

Shift-Cursor: Panning

ALT-H or F6: Hide/unhide subtree of current item

ALT-C: Hide all items starting at given level

ZOOM: Toggle tiny font

Ctrl-Z: Center marked item on screen

ALT-R: Set # of branches to the right

By default, the main branches are placed around the center so that the display area is used optimally. However, this has the effect that the map gets rearranged when items are added or deleted, making it more difficult to keep orientation. By using ALT-R and setting a number of items that are placed to the right of the center, this rearrangement does no longer take place (however, the map may become unbalanced. The default value can be set in MM.CFG.

ALT-Z: Left/Right/Center map

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Miscellaneous

F1: Display help

Shift-F1: Display "about"

F7 or SPACE: Toggle 'done'

A "done" item is displayed with a pattern overlaying the item.

Ctrl-T: Special template

Ctrl-T creates a new mindmap within the same file (Multi-Map) and copies the central item as well as its first level children of the last mindmap in the file into the new mindmap. It also adds the current date to the central item.

This is convenient for protocols of recurrent meetings: just press Ctrl-T and a new "form" for today's meeting is ready.

Command Line: MM [/h [/sX]] [/x] MAPFILE.MM

Options: /h: Automatically convert mindmap to HTML and quit MM/LX

/h behaves a little differently than pressing Ctrl-P in MM/LX: No questions are asked. File name is autmatically set to [mapname].HTM. If a multimap file is exported, the entire file is exported automatically. The HTML title is set to the text of the first item of the map.

Option /sX is the HTML style design to be used (section [HTMLX] from MM.CFG). X being a number from 1 to 9. Default is 1.

The supplied HTMs HELP.HTM and HISTORY.HTM have been generated by simply entering on the command line: mm -h -s2 help mm -h -s2 history

The mindmap file name can be given with or without file name extension. If no extension is given, .MM is appended automatically.

/x: Eports the given mindmap file to XML format. Only available in the "x" version of MM/LX (MMX.EXE)

Ctrl-S, Alt-S: Search

Ctrl-S searches for a string in the map which is currently displayed.

It searches the text of all items, links and notes. It also searches in hidden items. If the given string is found, the item which belongs to the occurrence is marked. If the item is hidden, the hidden subtree is expanded. If the string is found in the link or in the note (i.e. not instantly visible), a message is displayed which gives a hint where to find the string.

To continue the search with the same search string to find the next occurrence, press Alt-S.

The search is performed first in the currently displayed map, then, if it is a multimap, in the other maps within the same file.

Alt-D: Export item as Todo for PIM/PE

When taking meeting notes, usually one branch of the map is called "Todos". Now it is possible to export these items as Todos into a PIM/PE file. Mark such an item and press Alt-D. A calendar is shown where a "due date" (date until which the todo has to be done) can be chosen. As the start date, the current date is used. Press ESC to export the Todo withouth a due date. In the calendar, cursor keys move through days/weeks, PgDn/PgUp move through months. Enter selects date. If you use priorities in PIM/PE, append them to the map item as you would append them in PIM to the +t line. They are exported with the Todo item. After successful export, the map item is marked as done, so the user knows it has already been exported.

Related Menu items: Menu "Extra" "Export Todo" (=ALT-D).

Related new MM.CFG entries: See Section [Extra]

Alt-X: Extract submap into new file and create link

Or: Menu / Extra / Extract Submap:

If your map gets larger and larger, you may want to swap parts of it out into another file. Mark the item which leads the submap you want to extract and hit Alt-X. You are asked for a filename (a name fitting the item text is suggested, you may modify it). Press enter. A new map is generated with the marked item and its children. In the original map, the marked item in the original map is converted into a link to the new map.

Note: If the item contained a note, this is also migrated to the new map and deleted from the old one. If the item was a link before, the link is lost and replaced by the link to the new map.

To open the new map, you may simply hit enter on the marked (and now underlined) item.

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Screen layout

Top line


Map


Items

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MM.CFG

[System] section


[Display] section


[Fonts] section


[External] section

Each line consists of a menu text, a '=' and a command to execute. The command may contain special tokens which are replaced before execution:

$f replaced by name of current file $i replaced by description of selected item $n replaced by file name that holds note for selected item $l replaced by link of selected item $k wait for key press before return $r reload mind map upon return $$ replaced by '$'

For examples see the default MM.CFG

[Macro] section

Allows to assign macros to keys. Each entry is a key scan code (prefixed with '#') followed by an equal sign and the key scan codes (prefixed with '#') of the keys to press when the key before the equal sign is detected. That format is identical with the macro definitions in PE and POST/LX.

[HTML] section


[HTMLx] sections (HTML design variants)


[Designs] section

This section is new in version 3.2 of MM/LX. If you use more than one HTML design, it is mandatory to have this section in the CFG file. If you only use one HTML design, use the UseDesign parameter.

[Extra] section


[PIMFiles] section

For a list of files for PIM Todo export. On Alt-D, MM/LX shows a list of PIM files to choose from.

If only one PIM file shall be used, use the [Extra] / TodoExportTo= parameter which gives the name of the PIM file to export to.

If you want to choose from several PIM files, delete the entry TodoExportTo= and instead use this [PIMFiles] section. Each line in This section gives one file name.

Format of a line: FileDescription=c:\path\filename.pim ("FileDescription" is the string which is displayed in the menu). An ampersand character in front of a letter makes that letter the hotkey.

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Tips and Tricks

How to organize all maps

Create a map named MAIN.MM, in which you add an item for each map you use, add a link to the maps using Ctrl-M. Add Start=MAIN.MM to the .CFG. Now, if you start MM/LX using "MM", it starts with an overview of all maps. Using a hot key for each map speeds up selecting them.


MM/LX and PE

MM/LX uses the exact same format to save a mind map that PE uses for outlines. Thus, you can freely exchange documents between PE and MM/LX.

Meeting Notes

You can easily take meeting notes using MM/LX using one and the same file. It is even possible to create meeting notes for the other meeting members in HTML format using a design fitting the company's document design.

Here is what to do:

Create a map for the meeting. The central item should have the meeting's description as the name and append the date of the first meeting, e.g. "Strategy meeting 02-Aug-2004".

Then create the first-level children, which are used for every following meeting, too, e.g.

"Members", "Information", "Decisions", "Todos" or similar.

Fill the map during the first meeting.

On the next meeting, open that map, press Ctrl-T and you will see the template map. Today's date will be appended autimatically to the map name and shown in the top line.

Then fill the new map with meeting notes. And so on.

That way you create a file containing one map per meeting (it's a "Multimap file" then).

To generate meeting notes readable by the other members, simply press Ctrl-P (HTML export). Give a file name, choose a design (two designs are predefined, you can adjust them or create your own designs in MM.CFG), then, if you already have a multimap, decide if only the currently displayed map or the entire file (all aps / meetings) should be exported. That's it.

If you are a PIM / PE user, you can even export single items in a map as ToDos into a PIM file. See help of PIM ToDo Export (Alt-D).

Images etc.

By adding

PNS=pns200

to the [System] section of MM.CFG (and provided PNS200 is installed on your palmtop), a link to a file (Ctrl-F) is opened using PNS200, i.e. you can add links to pictures, spreadsheets etc. and open them by pressing ENTER on the selected item.

Using Icons

A textual item can be replaced by an icon (*.ICN file) by using its file name as item text, e.g. "C:\ICONS\MM.ICN".

Launching programs

MM/LX can be used as a program launcher, which is especially nice together with the possibility to use icons for items. In order to launch programs from MM/LX, enter the program name as a file like (Ctrl-F, then enter program name, e.g. C:\BIN\CHESS.EXE) and make sure you have PNS200 installed (available from www.dasoft.com) and a line such as

PNS=pns200

in the [System] section of MM.CFG. Also make sure that PNS200.INI contains .EXE in the [Match] section and

b=d:\dos\command.com /c %s

in the [Action] section (where "b" should be replaced by the key you want to use for launching EXEs.

Using a data directory

MM/LX starts up using the current directory as its "main" directory. Thus, if you start MM/LX with a relative path (e.g. MM.EXE MAIN.MM), the map is searched in the current directory. If you want MM/LX to always use the same directory as the start directory, launch it from a batch file, e.g.:

CD C:/MM_DATA MM.EXE %1

Creating a website with MM/LX

Read howto.txt for details. You can link maps together with CTRL-M. On HTML export the HTM files are linked together as well, and if FollowLinks=1 is used in MM.CFG / [HTML], all linked maps are converted if the "parent" map is converted. Also links to internet ressources or embedded images are supported. Use the CTRL-F (link to file) feature.

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Limitations

Maximum nesting level: 10

Nesting level is shown in top line.

Map size: Free internal memory

MM/LX has about 40k available that it can use to manage all the maps in memory. Larger maps of course use more memory than smaller ones. Also using non-built-in fonts needs memory. Shift-F1 displays the amount of free memory.



Created with MindMap/LX