Your favorite mindmaping and brainstorming tools?

[peppie]

Here is a question for the thinkers and project developers.

I am always on the lookout for general tools and software for developing projects and ideas. I like and use mindmaps quite a lot, but have not yet found any software tools etc. that do much beyond one or 2 things.

My wish list is a tool to do a mindmap/logic graph/task list etc. (lots of options for notes, file and links attachments etc.) to firstly brainstorm a project then develop the detail a bit for projects like developing your business over the next x months, writing a manual or a full blown book and even just to keep track of research material.

Do you have a favorite paper based or software tool??? A challenge to all you chronic list writers, would love to hear you share your passion for organising and just how you organise your ideas.

[Warren Cottis]

I find it hard to go past Freemind simply because it's free

[onlineiq]

I use mind42.com

It is also a free online tool, allows links and notes (tho not 'to do' lists) and fantastically, is a collaboration tool, so you can be working with others on the same mindmap in real time.

[Paul Cunningham]

Paul

I've only just been introduced to the idea of mind maps and have become really interested. I was wondering what software you are using currently using?

Warren and Ursh I'll check out you suggstions, thanks for sharing.

[peppie]

Originally Posted by Paul Cunningham

Paul

I've only just been introduced to the idea of mind maps and have become really interested. I was wondering what software you are using currently using

Frankly the best option I have found of all is called Pencil on Large Piece of Paper!!! A bit hard to modify neatly, but at least it has almost unlimited options.

I have used Freemind though, but been a bit frustrated with the limitations when looking at say attaching files and links etc. to branches. I came across http://www.xmind.net/ recently which I have not yet been able to try out but it looks interesting.

A while back I came across Infohesive http://www.2brightsparks.com/infohesive/features.html which is more for developing a document like a manual or application help file and does not involve anything like a mindmap. I think I wouldn't mind something like a combination of say Infohesive and a decent mindmap application. Am I asking too much???

PS Most of my research data is stored in a huge tree of folders (but no more than 2 or 3 levels deep) and if I can't find what I want I use Xplorer2 (which is a souped up version of something like explorer in Windows but with far better search functions) to find and sort it. It has multiple tree windows and is very good for file sorting and finding. But even that is not quite enough if you need to sort information for a book or similar project.

[roshan]

I've been mind-mapping for several years and my personal favourite is MindJet Mind Manager. Unfortunately this is not a cheap product (and each upgrade costs more), so I tend to stick with XMind which is free and is really easy to use.

I've used the paid version of XMind but found that for what I need (my mind maps tend to get complex), the free version works just as well.

I've managed to convert quite a few people to using mind maps and have run several training/introduction sessions on it, and would be happy to help anyone looking to get started.

Roshan

[peppie]

Thank you Roshan, it seems I might be on the right path here re XMind.

I have been fiddling around with XMind a bit in my "spare time" and have been quite impressed with even the free version. The paid version seems to mostly expand the collaboration possibilities and since I work on my own (in the development department) that's fine with me. I particularly like the way I can attach files and links to branches and I can see that it could easily work pretty well for organising say research material.

As an example of its use, I was playing around with it one evening and my wife noticed what I was doing. She had a meeting to chair a few days later that would be dealing with a complicated issue and asked me to install XMind on her laptop. She had only a brief explanation from me as to how it worked and after the meeting said it had been VERY useful for making notes about all the various issues and comments being thrown at her.

[FionaFell]

I use www.lovelycharts.com for my wireframing and mindmapping.

Might be worth a try. (They are web based, and have a free trial so you can check it out before giving over any $)

[roshan]

Originally Posted by peppie

I have been fiddling around with XMind a bit in my "spare time" and have been quite impressed with even the free version. The paid version seems to mostly expand the collaboration possibilities and since I work on my own (in the development department) that's fine with me. I particularly like the way I can attach files and links to branches and I can see that it could easily work pretty well for organising say research material.

Paul,

Yes, XMind works very well for a single user. And similar to your experience, I find that people get curious when they see Mind Maps for the first time and tend to take it on and find new ways of using it. It's always a fun (and different) way to prepare for - and sometimes deliver - presentations!

Roshan

[Simple1]

Cant say anything beats the ability of a pencil and paper. Not great for the environment tho.