The Plyloom tool, a browser-based application for knowledge mapping, has been updated to version 0.14. The update focuses on interface optimization, allowing the map canvas to occupy up to 90% of the screen space when panels are collapsed. Navigation has been streamlined with a new two-line top menu and semi-transparent buttons for canvas controls.
New features include the ability to add images to nodes, which are automatically compressed and stripped of metadata. The 'Stack' mode has been redesigned to visualize entities across multiple layers, while the 'Story' mode allows users to create step-by-step presentations of the map. Additionally, a 'Reading' mode has been introduced to lock the map structure for viewers.
The update introduces a new file format (version 4) for maps containing images, while maintaining backward compatibility for text-only maps. The AI integration now supports tasks like generating new maps from materials or refining existing ones, with prompts handled via the clipboard to ensure data privacy. The tool remains free and operates as a single offline-capable file.
Plyloom is positioned as a prototype for exploring knowledge management, contrasting with the Open Knowledge Format (OKF). While OKF relies on a directory of Markdown and YAML files for portability, Plyloom provides a visual interface for managing nodes, attributes, and inter-sheet connections, aiming to bridge the gap between human understanding and AI processing.
