FreeMind

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Mind Maps - I know they’re not for everyone, but I love them. I have better success brainstorming using this method than any other. I find the whole concept fits superbly with the way my mind works (not sure what that says about my brain!).

I’ve tried virtually all the mind mapping software I can get hold of. Most of it is prohibitively expensive for individuals (IMHO) and most of them are of the Microsoft Word variety, i.e. you’ll never use 90% of the functionality.

FreeMind works superbly in that it offers all of the basic requirements for constructing a mind map, but you’re not bogged down with functions you don’t need. It’s fast and stable and allows me to get what’s in my head onto the screen in the quickest time possible.

You can link to external files and other mind maps from any nodes, expand/collapse any/all nodes at will, drag the map around the screen, zoom in/out at will, add notes to nodes and generally do all the things you really need in order to create useful maps in a very short time.

The user manual is supplied in mind map format, giving you the chance to have a good play with it without first having to create your own map.

You can export your maps in various formats, including html, JPEG etc, for inclusion your web site or other documents.

If you like mind maps and haven’t tried this, give it a go. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you’ve never heard of mind maps, also give it a try. It certainly changed the way I carry out any kind of project development for the better.

 
FreeMind main screen

 
MindMap with all elements collapsed