I prefer to make hand-drawn mind maps. On this blog, however, most mind maps have been produced using software (because e-mindmaps are easier to upload). My favourites are iMindmap 5.5 and MyThoughts. Both programs deliver organic, well organised mind maps. On the iPhone I use iMindmap Mobile, on the iPad IThoughts HD. If you can’t draw a decent mind map on paper, don’t think you can make a good one on a computer.
If you use software that produces mind maps with straight lines and rigid boxes with no shape, images or colour, you are defeating the object of mind mapping. Your mind map becomes the equivalent of a black pen list on A4 lined paper.
Mind mapping is much more powerful when you use brain stimulating tools like curves, images, and colours. All more natural choices when you create hand-drawn mind maps. Practice this first on paper before switching to software that produces the same level of organic and brain boosting features.
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A very valid point Hans.
Don’t get in the habit of letting software push you away from flow, color and the use of images. instead learn to engage your artistic self through the use of the tools available to you.
If you like straight lines, heaps of text, and boxes around your text, I fear you’ll not achieve the most from your mind mapping.
Relax and enjoy creating your own unique mind maps.
Hans, will you be posting one of my favorites of your mind maps on your new blog, your Dylan mind map with the guitar image? I hope so.
Interesting – the ones you mention do look good! I use this one (‘recreationally’): http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page – as it is free and does the job – although not ‘organically’, it seems…
Jacques if you use freemind “recreational”, it probably it is just fine. However, if you use mindmaps in business, free mind has several limitations. Especially big mindmaps do no differ from plain texts. They simply lack overview. Mindmaps were never intended to mimick text, but to act as a more inspirational alternative.