PIMs

The Professional version includes the desktop program counterpart for Windows and Macintosh systems, which operate similarly to the Palm version, while the Mobile Edition only includes the Palm program.

The program’s organization structure is illustrated with an interesting trees, branches and leaves metaphor. Your outline databases are the trees. Your entire set of outlines (trees) makes up BrainForest. Within each tree, you have branches and leaves, which represent the hierarchy. And then each item is either a memo or to-do (the latter having a completion check box, since it’s an “action” item). You move the data around by adding, cutting, grafting or trimming the branches and leaves. You also can attach Palm notes to any item.

This tree metaphor makes BrainForest Professional seem more complicated than it needs to be.

However, you can drag-and-drop items around accurately after just a little practice and expand and collapse any sections you want.

You can arrange your trees by name, branch, priority or due date, which gives you a number of useful and flexible views. Simple lists are a snap and can easily be exported into the “Palm Memo Pad” or “To Do List.”

It even includes a “Palm Memo Pad” HTML export plug-in, which is handy if you want to publish your outline or project on a Web site or intranet. Publishing to HTML on your desktop from the Palm requires several steps, whereas it’s one step from the desktop version of the program. However, for some strange reason, the Windows version adds a “p1” after each project to-do, where the Palm version does not.

You also can import items from the “Palm Memo Pad” and “To Do List,” but the latter doesn’t let you choose individual to-do items.

BrainForest Professional also lets you assign the various Palm categories to your outlines, just like most other Palm programs.
The real power of BrainForest Pro becomes apparent when working with complex thoughts and ideas, where you need it to be your peripheral brain. For example, you’re working with a complex sequence of events and need to reorder them on the spot until the desired effect is achieved, such as in developing a presentation outline or a set of instructions.

I especially liked the “Project Trees” option, where the to-do check boxes become completion indicator bars. You can mark these items as fully or partially complete, in 10 percent increments. A project tree branch automatically totals the completion status of all its leaves below, giving you an aggregate percentage completed on that part of the project. In fact, BrainForest Professional even includes a mini-Gantt chart plug-in, so you can see your project as a live timeline graph. How’s that for project management in your Palm? However, the Windows desktop version doesn’t have this charting feature.

Besides the semiclunky feel to moving around in the outline, two other items take away from the overall user experience. BrainForest Professional has almost too many features for a Palm program, which could make learning it somewhat daunting since the purpose of the Palm is simplicity.

In evidence, the three included manuals in Acrobat PDF format total a whopping 184 pages. For beginners, this little program packs quite a punch, so it’s best to start with making simple outlines and picking up the rest as you go. However, the documentation is thorough and includes many screen shots for examples. Just be prepared to spend a bit of time if you want to learn how to use all of its features.

Another drawback is its roundabout way of transferring outlines back and forth from the desktop. Since there’s no direct HotSync conduit, the user is completely responsible for knowing which version (desktop vs. Palm) is the most recent. For example, if you create a new outline on the desktop, by default it saves it under the program directory and pops up a dialog asking if you want to install it on your Palm device on the next HotSync. Thus, it doesn’t use a HotSync conduit, but rather the Palm Install Tool program, which is a one-way transfer.

The electronic documentation mentions that a direct HotSync conduit will be developed later. So while the file transfer is clunky, it is do-able, but you will need to know where the most current version of your outline is.

Overall, BrainForest Professional is a unique outliner and project manager hybrid that offers many features, and the Windows and Macintosh desktop counterparts are a major plus. But, if you just want a simple outliner without all the extras, then BrainForest Pro is overkill for the job.

$39.95 for BrainForest Professional via download; $49.95 for CD

For Palm OS-based organizers, MS Windows and Macintosh Systems

Reviewed by Jeffrey J. Beard, Esq., legal
technologist at Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee.

Feb/Mar '01 Issue

PROS
Feature-packed hierarchical outliner with an interesting project management option. Desktop program counterpart is a welcome addition, especially when performing data entry or publishing to HTML.

CONS
Almost too complicated for a Palm program, clunky file transfer between Palm and desktop (no direct data synchronization), and limited integration with Palm to-do items.

VERDICT
Overall a capable outlining program, but several other good Palm outliners are easier to use.

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Updated 09/19/01
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