Just stumbled across a rather smart little outliner application for Mac (totally random discovery!). Although it's nothing particularly special, it does have one interesting peculiarity: it doesn't just do vertical outlines, it also does horizontal ones. Okay, so does other stuff (notably OmniOutliner with its columns), but Tree doesn't exactly have columns, you can literally work sideways (rather than up and down) when creating (OPML-compatible) outlines. Clever.

More details at: http://www.topoftree.jp/en/tree/

If I actually had a Mac, I'd definitely be CRIMPing this one. Fortunately I haven't (yet!).

It is coincidental that you mention Tree as I'm supposed to be working on a review for Mac Appstorm. I say supposed to be, because I haven't had the time to get to it over the past few weeks, but I hope to submit it soon. I'll post here when (and if) it is published on the site.

Steve

FWIW, my review of Tree is now posted at Mac Appstorm. If you're interested, you can find it here:

http://mac.appstorm.net/quick-look/productivity-quick-look/tree-a-new-dimension-in-outlining/

Steve Z.

There is at least one Windows program that includes sideways hierarchies, namely B-Liner http://www.varatek.com/ (no longer developed). I add it here for reference mainly.

However, the same effect can be accomplished in Treesheets (Mac and Linux versions also available). See the first screenshot http://www.treesheets.com/docs/screenshots.html It's a question of how you choose to develop sub-cells.

Also, some mindmapping programs, e.g. MindGenius, will give you the option to expand the map sideways (rather than towards all directions).

From my experience, Tree is unmatched for the ability to mix-and-match how the outline/diagram is displayed. In this screenshot, I've got the Moons of Mars expanded horizontally, and the Moon of the Earth displayed in standard outline hierarchy. I've folded some topics, displayed inline text with another.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/155244/Tree%20Screenshot.jpg

The question really is, how useful is this flexibility. I'm still trying to figure that out and I suppose the answer will be different for each of us.

Steve Z.

I meant to add, but got too eager to use the "post" button, that the versatility of Tree as demonstrated in your screenshots is pretty impressive.

Steve Z.

...that is, I meant to write, the versatility of TREESHEETS is pretty impressive. Gotta stop writing these posts first thing in the morning!

Liked the review, Steve, really hit the spot. I was particularly impressed by the way that you can open up the horizontal outline for just one vertically listed item at a time - that's unique, I think, and potentially very useful. Funnily enough, I was just whingeing to myself about this while working in my other favourite, OmniOutliner (on the iPad, still sadly without a search function - but enough of that!): every time you want to consult something in another column, you have to open up the whole outline, whereas Tree obviates that requirement and makes three-dimensional "dig-down" access much more straightforward. If/when I have a Mac, I shall certainly acquire it!

... and yeah, TreeSheets is amazing, especially in its most recent form (which now includes folding). I use it regularly for creative brainstorming (when I'm not using Numbers on my iPad, that is!), because like Tree, it allows you to think sideways (or indeed, in more or less any direction).

Cheers,
Bill