20-Free-Visual-Thinking-Tools.Pdf

20 FREE VISUAL Snappy Reviews Key Functions THINKING Links to Save You Time Example Maps TOOLS With hints about Visual Thinking Models 

BY ROY GRUBB 2 Free visual thinking tools

Contents

Introduction ...... 3 Blumind ...... 4 Cmap Tools ...... 8 Connected Mind ...... 12 Dia...... 16 Edraw MindMap ...... 20 FreeMind ...... 24 Freeplane ...... 28 Hypergraph ...... 32 iMindMap Basic ...... 36 Labyrinth ...... 40 Lovely Charts ...... 44 Lucid-Chart ...... 48 Mind42 ...... 52 MindNode ...... 56 Prezi ...... 60 Think ...... 64 TreeSheets ...... 68 Visuwords ...... 72 VUE ...... 76 Xmind ...... 80 Resources ...... 84

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 3 Free visual thinking tools

Introduction

You'll find four pages describing each of the visual thinking tools covered in

this eBook:

1 & 2: Evaluation; 'for and against'; characteristics.

3: Key web links.

4: Graphical example, showing characteristics in visual form.

In case you wonder what a mind map or a concept map or some of the other thinking tools mentioned here are, there's a note about Visual thinking models buzzwords at the end describing the special ways mappers use ordinary words like 'organic' or 'boundary'. This eBook does not cover software or web apps with "free" 30-day trials after which the software expires, or that limits the number of objects on a map so much that serious maps cannot be made. Nor does it cover specific mobile apps. The section "License limitations" appears in some entries. Sometimes it just notes that you need to provide an email address to use the software. In cases where there is a free version and a 'Pro' version, the license limitations described relate to the free version. If no license limitations are mention, you can use the software for any purpose. But most free software licenses include

the restriction that you cannot sell the software to others.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 4 Free visual thinking tools Blumind 1

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 5 Free visual thinking tools

This is a fast and free mind mapper that can produce respectable looking  Simple, fast, multiple maps. It is desktop software that you download. You can choose from the built-in styles usual range of layouts: radial, organization chart, tree and logic diagram. It takes charge of your map layout almost completely, so if you want to change

the position of a node, you use Ctrl+up/down arrow keystrokes, not dragging.  No images on maps You can't display images in the map, other than small icons and that can be a

disadvantage for some uses of mind maps.

Blumind offers a range of color schemes based around Windows themes, and it lets you choose the map's background color.

Platforms supported Windows A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick

Features Includes some (minimal) support for project management: by storing task % complete Searching text in a map is supported Appearance

Allows maps with a slightly organic appearance Allows maps with a box and line appearance Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy, but curving relationship lines outside the hierarchy are permitted Provides an outline view of a map Predefined map formats and designs (colors, shapes, line styles) are included with the software

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 6 Free visual thinking tools

Allows change to map background:

You can change the color Layout Layout is principally controlled by the software with little or no manual override Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks icons Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier Import / Export Can import the following types of files: FreeMind / Freeplane Can export the following types of file: Outline text

image formats FreeMind / Freeplane

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Blumind

INFORMATION AND DOWNLOAD http://blumind.org/  Portable version http://portableapps.com/node/28891 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 8 Free visual thinking tools Cmap Tools 2

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 9 Free visual thinking tools

 For rigorous analysis of I recommend Cmap as a concept mapper - I use it myself when I want to sort out my thinking on a complex subject. Though concept maps are similar to knowledge, CMAP is hard mind maps, their appearance and use is often different (see links in the to beat introduction).  Operating the software is Cmap can show sentences implied by the concepts and their linking phrases. It more cumbersome than supports making presentations. some You can use this as simple desktop mapping software or, using an public online or intranet server, you can collaborate and share a map with others. Collaboration support: Multiple users can negotiate to edit the same map simultaneously and Cmap supports chat while they edit.

License limitations: Registration is required, but this should not be a problem (I have never been spammed by IHMC). Other than that, there is no limitation on how you use the mapping software. The server software is available free at present (while it is in a beta / test version) if you want to try it on your own network.

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick Features

Has support for making presentations Maps are kept online for sharing or access from multiple locations Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 10 Free visual thinking tools

Collaboration support: Supports simultaneous editing by more than one person Maps are kept online for sharing or access from multiple locations Searching text in a map is supported Appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance

Connections between nodes are not limited to a tree hierarchy, i.e. any node can be

associated with any other, meaning a node can have multiple parents

Nodes can have labels - they appear when a mouse is hovered over a labeled node

Provides an outline view of a map

Allows floating topics

Allows change to map background:

You can select an image as the map's background

Layout Layout is normally entirely manual There is an option to ask the app to re-layout the map Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Import / Export

Can export the following types of file: Web pages Text XML

Outline text Image formats & SVG

PDF and Postscript Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 11 Free visual thinking tools

Cmap Tools

INFORMATION http://cmap.ihmc.us/ DOWNLOAD http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/  Portable version http://portableapps.com/node/25515 COMMUNITY http://cmapforum.ihmc.us/ http://www.cmappers.net/ http://cmap.ihmc.us/support/

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 12 Free visual thinking tools Connected Mind 3

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 13 Free visual thinking tools

 Eye-catching, organic, Connected Mind allows you to make very organic-looking and visually powerful mind maps. It uses the Google Chrome browser, and you will need a colorful gmail account to save your maps online.

 Hard work, no built-in But don't think that because it runs in a browser this will support collaboration, like, say MindMeister or Mindomo. It doesn't. To see your maps export capability, stored online, you need to log in with your gmail account first. browser-based but no It's not hard to use but it does take a little while to get used to it. Press the ' ? ' collaboration button on the right of the toolbar to see the help provided - it won't take long to view and it's worth it. One weakness is that you need another utility from the Chrome store to save the maps as images. Called Webpage Screenshot, you can get that here: http://bit.ly/nnrWrR It's free and is useful for making single images of any web page, even if it is much too long for your screen.

Platforms supported Online, browser-based, so runs on most platforms, but only in Google Chrome Windows; Mac OS X; Linux Features

Supports only one editor at a time Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page Appearance Allows maps with an organic appearance

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Allows maps with a box and line appearance There is an underlying tree hierarchy, but this can be ignored if you want to, meaning you can draw relationship lines and even a limited form of concept map Allows floating topics Layout

Layout is entirely manual

Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map Import Can import the following types of files: FreeMind / Freeplane

Export

Can import the following types of files: NONE

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Connected Mind

INFORMATION AND DOWNLOAD https://chrome .google.com/webstore/detail/pmkffmgahaepmhkhkblhopnpleeikokc?hc=search&hcp=main You must visit this link in Google's Chrome browser to download and use this tool

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 16 Free visual thinking tools Dia 4

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 17 Free visual thinking tools

 Very large range of This is free and powerful diagram-drawing software - along the lines of Visio, but without some of Visio's eye-catching capabilities. You click a shape from templates for drawing the pallet of shapes on the left and drag it to your drawing, resize it, add text diagrams in many and change colors, etc. Dia could be used to make mind maps and concept disciplines maps but they would be hard work and very rigid in appearance compared to the many free apps designed with mapping in mind.  Not so good for mind Dia can export files that Viso can read, but it can only read Visio XML files maps (.vdx). Also supported are Drawing Interchange File (.dxf), .bmp, .jpg, .png, .svg, .tga, .wpg, XFig File Format (.fig) and others. You'll also want to download Diashapes (see links page below) which when run downloads and installs shapes under the following categories: • Building site • Central data processing • CH-1 notation • Chemistry lab • Circuits • CMOS • Digital • EPC • Electric • Electronic • Gradient • Living Systems Theory • Optics • Racks • Renewable Energy • Scenegraph • Value Stream Mapping. There is a whole ecosystem (see links page below) built around Dia: There are tools that generate Dia diagrams, tools that generate something from Dia

diagrams, tools that use Dia diagrams both as input and as output, and more.

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick

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Features

Has provision for handling multi-maps:

by showing multiple maps on a page

Appearance Allows maps with a box and line appearance Allows floating topics This makes diagrams, it is not designed to make maps Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear Allows change to map background: You can change the color You can select an image as the map's background Layout Layout is entirely manual

Import / Export Can import the following types of files: XML Can export the following types of file: XML Image formats

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 19 Free visual thinking tools 

Dia 

INFORMATION http://live.gnome.org/Dia Tutorials http://www.seanet.com/~hgg9140/comp/diatut/all/all.html  http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/using_dia_diagrams Ecosystem http://live.gnome.org/Dia/Links DOWNLOADS Windows http://dia-installer.de/ Mac OS X http://dia-installer.de/download/macosx.html  Linux http://dia-installer.de/download/linux.html Portable version http://portableapps.com/news/2010-02-25_-_dia_portable_0.97.1-1 Shape Repository http://dia-installer.de/shapes.html Website Shapes http://ftp.edgewall.com/pub/people/daniel/dia/web-shapes.tar.gz  Network Shapes http://small.dropbear.id.au/myscripts/diashapes.html 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 20 Free visual thinking tools Edraw MindMap

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 21 Free visual thinking tools

 Can make eye-catching, Edraw MindMap can make mind maps, bubble diagrams and even simple block colorful diagrams, not diagrams. This is a diagramming-style mind mapper, in which you make maps much as limited to mind maps and with Visio: Click a template object on the left and drag it to your drawing. It can supports several styles make attractive, eye-catching maps, but is tedious to use for that, because it doesn't really understand mind mapping.  Rigid and cumbersome But as a free diagram maker it excels, making quick and attractive diagrams way to make mind maps with a wide range of symbols, backgrounds, frames and clipart. It exports to more formats than most free mapping software, including SVG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, WMF, EMF and MS Excel. It has few import options, but can import Visio files. License limitations: May be used for non-commercial purposes only.

Platforms supported Windows

Features Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page Appearance Allows maps with an organic appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance Nodes can have labels, but this is just added text

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Allows floating topics

Predefined map formats and designs (colors, shapes, line styles) are included with the

software

Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear

Supports branch boundaries

Allows change to map background:

You can change the color

You can select an image as the map's background

Layout Layout is entirely manual Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: callouts active hyperlinks images that can be seen on the map icons Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Import / Export

Can import the following types of file: XML Can export the following types of file: MS Word Web pages MS PowerPoint

Image formats PDF

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Edraw MindMap

INFORMATION http://www.edrawsoft.com/freemind.php Most links on that page point to Edraw Max, which isn't free. The inconspicuous download for the free Edraw MindMap, is hard to spot, so here's a shortcut: DOWNLOAD http://www.edrawsoft.com/download/EDrawMindMap.exe



Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 24 Free visual thinking tools FreeMind 6

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 25 Free visual thinking tools

 Powerful, fast mapping FreeMind is the grandaddy of open source mind mapping software. It has been around since the year 2000 and developed steadily for a long time. It has from the keyboard, easy some idiosyncrasies, but is easy to use and works well from keyboard data interchange shortcuts. If ideas are flowing fast and you're trying to get them down and organized quickly, keeping your hands on the keyboard is important.  The user interface is not In some ways, this is a techie's mind mapper. Dig and you will find it has many great hidden capabilities. For example, nodes can have 'attributes' - fields that can appear against each node, where you can name, define and store your own information. So a mind map can be used to hold information in an organized way for retrieval and use in other software that is not possible with most mind

mapping software.

But don't be put off - if you don't have technical interests or a need for deep technical control, you can learn to use FreeMind quickly and won't need to dig into the documentation. See also the Freeplane section. Interchange with other software is particularly easy as the FreeMind format can be imported into many other mindmapping software packages, including some on the iPad and iPhone, and some browser-based, on-line mind mapping

services. Platforms supported Windows ; Mac OS X; Linux A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick Features Online maps can be embedded in blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable)

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Includes support for project management: by storing task priority; task dates; task % complete Has provision for handling multi-maps: by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps Searching text in a map is supported A reminder system is built in Appearance

Allows maps with a somewhat organic appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance

Allows floating topics

Nodes can have labels (using FreeMind's user attributes)

Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy, but curving relationship lines

outside the hierarchy are permitted

Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear

Supports branch boundaries

Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override Attachments

Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types:

Notes to expand the detail given

active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map icons

Import

Can import the following types of file: Freeplane MindManager

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Export Can export the following types of file:

MS Word Web pages

XML Outline text Image formats PDF

Freeplane

FreeMind

INFORMATION http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/ DOWNLOAD http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download  Portable version http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/FreeMind_portable COMMUNITY http://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/forums/ 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 28 Free visual thinking tools Freeplane 7

The map on the right - the map itself - looks different from the FreeMind one in the previous entry. That's because I chose different settings to show the diversity of appearance that either can produce. Had I not, they would have looked the same.

The controls around the map, as you can see, are quite different. So are some of the map elements that can be used. It is possible to achieve some effects in Freeplane that FreeMind doesn't support.

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 Powerful, fast mapping Freeplane was forked from FreeMind in 2008, at a time when some of the original FreeMind developers had different ideas about development. You can from the keyboard, easy read about the differences between Freeplane and FreeMind here: data interchange http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page#Freeplane_features and here: http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Freeplane_1.0.x-1.1.x  Map files are not For now, I would recommend Freeplane over FreeMind, but keep your eye on guaranteed to remain new versions from both. compatible with Like FreeMind, this is a techie's mind mapper, though more friendly to non- FreeMind's technical users. You can learn to use Freeplane quickly, even more so than with FreeMind.

Interchange with other software is particularly easy as, for now at least, the

Freeplane format can be imported into many other mindmapping software packages, including some on the iPad and iPhone, and some browser-based, on-line mind mapping services.

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick

Features Online maps can be embedded in blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable) Includes support for project management:

by storing task priority; task dates; task % complete

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 30 Free visual thinking tools

Has provision for handling multi-maps: by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps Searching text in a map is supported A reminder system is built in Appearance

Allows maps with an organic appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance

Provides an outline view of a map

Allows floating topics

Nodes can have labels (using Freeplane's user attributes)

Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy, but curving relationship lines

outside the hierarchy are permitted

Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear

Supports branch boundaries

Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override Attachments

Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types:

Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map icons

Import

Can export the following types of file: FreeMind MindManager

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 31 Free visual thinking tools

Export

Can export the following types of file:

MS Word

Web pages XML Outline text Image formats PDF FreeMind

Freeplane

INFORMATION http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/

 DOWNLOAD http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeplane/

Portable version http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Portable_Freeplane

COMMUNITY http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/freeplane/viewforum.php?f=1 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 32 Free visual thinking tools Hypergraph 8

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 33 Free visual thinking tools

 Eliminates scrolling: The This is not a standalone mapping application, but open source Java code for developers who want to build software that can handle very large hierarchical edges of large maps maps. This could appear on a web page or be used in software to run on a PC. disappear over 'the Hypergraph deals with the problem of organizing a lot of information in a mind horizon' map by, effectively, placing the map on a sphere, and allowing the user to make any topic the central one.  Only useful for There is a small sample of the appearance below (two views), but to get some developers idea of what it can do and how it looks, see this example: http://mfellmann.net/wi/ and try clicking on nodes to see the dynamic nature and changing focus of the map produced.

Platforms supported Windows Mac OS X Linux Features Online maps made with software including this can be embedded in blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable)

Appearance

Allows maps with a somewhat organic appearance Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy

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Layout Layout is principally controlled by the software with little or no manual override

Attachments

Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types:

active hyperlinks

Import / Export Can export the following types of file: Web pages

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 35 Free visual thinking tools

Hyper- graph

INFORMATION http://hypergraph.sourceforge.net/

 DOWNLOAD http://hypergraph.sourceforge.net/download.html

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 36 Free visual thinking tools iMindMap Basic 9

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 37 Free visual thinking tools

 The mind mapper from If you want to make traditional, organic mind maps of the type promoted by Tony Buzan, this is the software for you. Although there are various full- the person who named featured versions, the free Basic version has the essential functions. them. If you want Download the full version, and you can use all the features for 7 days, but at authenticity, this is it! the end of that time, instead of it stopping working, it converts itself into the limited Basic version, which is still very useful.  Non-functional and One slight drawback is that all the higher version controls are there and if you visible controls from the try to use one, you see a message telling you to upgrade: You quickly learn what you can and cannot do with the Basic version. full version can be License limitations: The capabilities described below apply only to the free confusing ('Basic') version, which is the first in a line of four versions of this product that provide more features as you move up the price range. (iMindmap also has iOS versions but they are not free.) You will need to provide an email address to download iMindMap.

Platforms supported Windows Mac OS X Features Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps Searching text in a map is supported

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Has an integrated browser, used when you open attached hyperlinks

Appearance

Allows maps with an organic appearance Allows maps with a box and line appearance Allows floating topics Supports branch boundaries Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy, but curving relationship lines

outside the hierarchy are permitted

Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map icons Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier Import / Export Can export the following types of file: Image formats

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 39 Free visual thinking tools

iMindmap Basic

INFORMATION http://www.thinkbuzan.com/intl/products/imindmap/basic  & DOWNLOAD

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 40 Free visual thinking tools Labyrinth 10

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 41 Free visual thinking tools

 Simple maps This is a very basic mapping program - it is not based on centered/radial maps, but it could be used to make them. This may be useful if you're looking for  Little help in program on Linux-based mapping software. It produces clean, simple maps and supports choice of font, color, showing images and the addition of freehand-drawing. It how to make maps is easy to use once you get over the lack of guidance in the software, but the description at this link should help you get started.

Platforms supported Linux Features Searching text in a map is supported

Appearance Allows maps with a box and line appearance Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear Connections between nodes are not limited to a tree hierarchy Layout

Layout is entirely manual Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given images that can be seen on the map Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 42 Free visual thinking tools

Import / Export

Image formats SVG PDF

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 43 Free visual thinking tools

Labyrinth

INFORMATION http://people.gnome.org/~dscorgie/labyrinth.html AND DOWNLOAD 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 44 Free visual thinking tools Lovely Charts 11

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 45 Free visual thinking tools

 Useful diagrammer with This is like a simple on-line version of Visio - drag objects from the library panel on its left, into the drawing area. It is good for flowcharts, block diagrams and good images to select similar. Although you can make mind maps with it, it is not very effective for from that, compared with software designed specifically for mind mapping.

License limitations: The free option limits you to saving one chart online, and  Must delete past diagram does not support collaboration. So unless you subscribe, it's useful for quick to make a new one one-off diagrams - going back to revise a past diagram means you'll have to build it all from scratch again.

Platforms supported Online, browser-based, so runs on most platforms: Windows; Mac OS X; Linux Features Online, but supports only one editor at a time Appearance This makes diagrams, but can be used to construct maps Allows maps with a box and line appearance Allows floating topics Predefined diagram formats and designs (colors, shapes, line styles) are included with the software Nodes can have labels Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear Layout Layout is entirely manual

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 46 Free visual thinking tools

Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: callouts images that can be seen on the map

icons Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier Import / Export Can export the following types of file: Image formats

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 47 Free visual thinking tools

Lovely Charts

USE IT HERE http://my.lovelycharts.com/ 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 48 Free visual thinking tools Lucid- Chart 12

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 49 Free visual thinking tools

 Unlimited diagrams can Mostly, diagram-drawing software is more burdensome for making mind or concept maps than software designed for the purpose. LucidChart has some be saved online; even automatic help with layout that reduces this burden. works on iPad This supports collaboration with multi-user editing and chat.

 Objects per diagram It works in HTML5 and therefore on many platforms, even on the iPad for which it has a modified user interface to help with the limited space. limited to 60 for free Server decides how to merge simultaneous edits, and all edits are stored in accounts history so that manual rollback can solve any problems with the server's decision. Collaboration support: Server decides how to merge simultaneous edits, and all edits are stored in history so that manual rollback can solve any problems with the server's decision. License limitations: Unlimited number of basic diagrams / max. 60 objects per document / up to 2 collaborators. The example shown is exactly at the limit of 60 objects.

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux Runs on iOS, on:

iPhone / iPod iPad Online, browser-based, so runs on most platforms

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Features

Supports simultaneous editing by more than one person Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps

Appearance

Allows maps with an organic appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance Allows floating topics This makes diagrams, not maps Allows change to map background: You can change the color You can select an image as the map's background Layout Layout is entirely manual Attachments Allows callout attachments to nodes Import / Export Can export the following types of file: Image formats PDF

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 51 Free visual thinking tools

Lucid- Chart

USE IT HERE http://www.lucidchart.com/

VIEW THE  EXAMPLE http://www.lucidchart.com/invitations/accept/4e72d495-92b0-4361-9a1b-4ce60a7e1727 (you will need to make an account to see it properly) ONLINE

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 52 Free visual thinking tools Mind42 13

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 53 Free visual thinking tools

 Unlimited maps, multiple This is a very useful free web application that allows making mind maps in simultaneous editors, collaboration with others, and simultaneous editing. It can import from FreeMind, though this is not perfect (I lost some text on a history of changes with few nodes), but mostly it works. rollback, imports Task data can be stored against nodes in the form of To Do list attachments, FreeMind, MindManager, but this information is not exportable. notification on change Collaboration support: Skype address can be recorded. Then when you share a map, the address will be made available to those sharing it, to further enhance  Maps could have more collaboration. stimulating appearance It retains a timeline of changes and allows rolling the map back to that stored at any point. You can ask Mind42 to send you an email when a shared map is changed. Online maps can be embedded in blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable)

License limitations: Needs an email to set up an account if you want to make

maps.

Platforms supported Online, browser-based, so runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, even iOS blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable) Appearance Maps produced are rectilinear Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 54 Free visual thinking tools

Features Supports simultaneous editing Online maps can be embedded in web pages

Includes support for project management: by storing task priority, task dates, task % complete Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given active hyperlinks

images that can be seen on the map icons Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier Import / Export Can import the following types of files: XML

FreeMind / Freeplane MindManager Can export the following types of file:

MS Word XML Outline text Image formats PDF FreeMind / Freeplane Mindmanager

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 55 Free visual thinking tools

Mind42

USE IT HERE http://www.mind42.com/

 VIEW THE EXAMPLE http://mind42.com/pub/mindmap?mid=4ef1abd9-7b31-4e66-995a-2f4a9971a1c7

ONLINE

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 56 Free visual thinking tools MindNode 14

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 57 Free visual thinking tools

 Very easy to use; makes The free version of MindNode is limited to node words, and colored edge lines. This limitation makes it very fast and easy as a brainstorming tool though, for clear, simple maps; can those 'thoughts-to-screen' occasions. export to commonly Mindnode can export its maps as images and PDF files. It can export to used format for FreeMind format, though some of MindNode's capabilities, like floating topics exchanging maps and multiple maps on one screen cannot easily be represented in FreeMind so may not appear as you expect. It can export an outline for of the map as  No attachments to HTML, RTF files or plain text. nodes, no relationship License limitations: None. There are Pro, iPad and iPhone versions, but none of those are free. lines

Platforms supported

Mac OS X Features Has a mode designed to support brainstorming Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy Has provision for handling multi-maps: by showing multiple maps on a page Appearance Allows maps with an organic appearance Allows floating topics Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 58 Free visual thinking tools

Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override Attachments None Import / Export Can export the following types of file: Text

XML OPML Outline text Image formats

PDF FreeMind / Freeplane

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 59 Free visual thinking tools

MindNode

INFORMATION http://www.mindnode.com/ DOWNLOAD (free version) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mindnode-free/id402397683?mt=12

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 60 Free visual thinking tools Prezi 15

This is best understood as a presentation. Try it here :- http://prezi.com/h26pn8blxhhw/prezi-capabilities/

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 61 Free visual thinking tools

 Easy to share presen- Prezi is a web app for preparing presentations that don't depend on a sequence of slides. Instead it works as a series of views where text and tations on line; a relief images are spread across a map-like surface. You can automate the path, from dull slide-by-slide zooms, twists and turns of your presentation around this map. presentations; easy to The zooming ability is very powerful, because it allows images and text that use you want to reveal later to be so small they are not noticed until you are ready to zoom in on them.  Twisting and zooming Your readers can view your work at the Prezi site. You can also download a can be disturbing for Prezi file that can be decompressed and run on your desktop, using Flash. And Prezi has a free viewer for IOS, so that you can view presentations on an iPad. some viewers

Collaboration support: Your online presentations can be viewed by others and

you can edit with others on line.

License limitations: All your presentations will be public. You are allowed a maximum of 100MB of storage space, for Prezi maps including images.

Platforms supported Online, browser-based, so runs on most platforms including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS

Features Collaboration support: Supports simultaneous editing by more than one person Maps are kept online for sharing or access from multiple locations Online maps can be embedded in blogs and other web pages, where they will be interactive (but not editable) Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 62 Free visual thinking tools

Has support for making presentations Appearance

Allows floating topics

This makes diagrams for presentations, not what would normally be called maps

Allows change to map background:

You can change the color You can select an image as the map's background

Layout Layout is entirely manual Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: callouts active hyperlinks images that can be seen on the map Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Import / Export

Can export the following types of file: Web pages

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 63 Free visual thinking tools

Prezi

USE IT HERE http://prezi.com/

VIEW THE EXAMPLE AS A PRESENTATION ONLINE http://prezi.com/h26pn8blxhhw/prezi-capabilities/

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 64 Free visual thinking tools Think 16

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 65 Free visual thinking tools

 Unique mapper with an Think calls itself a Mind Mapping Web App, but is closer to being a concept mapper because its structure is not limited to a tree diagram. That said, there eye-catching style, runs is no provision for the linking phrases that concept maps use to good effect. in a browser Think produces maps with a unique and striking appearance - it’s good fun. It

allows great freedom in placing and connecting nodes and flexibility of overall  No attachments to color and background. nodes, no collaboration, But it does have limitations. It’s biggest is that it does not support any kind of no import capabilities, attachment to nodes - no images, links or notes. And color choices made apply exports images only to the whole map - branches cannot be colored individually. So what you see in the example map, is the totality of what you can do.

Being online and browser based it would seem a good candidate for

collaboration, but if you want to share a map, you’ll have to export it to an image and email that or place the image on a web page.

Platforms supported Online, browser-based, so runs on most platforms with a suitable browser, but does not work in iOS (iPad, etc)

Appearance

Makes maps with a bubble and stalk appearance Makes maps with an unusual organic appearance Allows change to map background color Allows floating topics Connections between nodes are not limited to a tree hierarchy, i.e. any node can be associated with any other, meaning a node can have multiple parents

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 66 Free visual thinking tools

Collaboration support None. Supports only one editor at a time, and that can only be the map’s owner, because viewing/editing requires logging in with Google, Yahoo! or an OpenID account.

Layout

Layout is entirely manual

Attachments None Import None

Export Can export images License limitations None

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 67 Free visual thinking tools

Think

USE IT HERE http://think-app.appspot.com/ 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 68 Free visual thinking tools TreeSheets 17

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 69 Free visual thinking tools

 Fast, lightweight app; TreeSheets is a text-based information organizer with a zooming interface. Zooming interfaces are great for information organizers. With the volumes of easy to use; visual but information we have to handle these days, we need to be able to take in the compact big picture and zoom in rapidly on any area for the detail.

In the example on the right, there's a grid of cells, and  Unexpected approach nested sub-grids. It has titles and then some references I for some features wanted to go back to when I had time. The gray lines are very tiny text. I grouped them under headings, saved each URL list in the cell (a grid inside a grid) and shrunk the grid using the mouse wheel while holding down Ctrl.

Then to see them, you just click

the cell you want to examine:

and roll the mouse wheel forward:

The surrounding grid

disappears, and the area pops up to full size. This image is actually reduced – the actual result is clearer and larger. Roll the wheel back and you see the whole sheet again. There are keystroke alternatives to the mousewheel. This means you can have a lot on the screen at once, but avoid detail until you want it. It’s a neat little application.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 70 Free visual thinking tools

It doesn't have the visual impact of a mind map and doesn't help, for example, to generate new ideas or new associations, but a TreeSheet is an excellent way of organizing frequently-referred to information, especially when images are

included. It can be visually much more interesting that the examples above as the main image below will show.

Platforms supported Windows; Linux; (Mac OS version available in Alpha) A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick

Features

Searching text in a map is supported

Appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance Provides an outline view of a map Allows floating topics Maps produced are (or may be) rectilinear Connections between nodes are limited to a tree hierarchy

Attachments

Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: active hyperlinks active links to files images that can be seen on the map icons

Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Layout Layout is controlled by the software but allows for manual override

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 71 Free visual thinking tools

Import / Export Can import the following types of files: XML OPML Can export the following types of file: Web pages XML OPML & OML Outline text Image formats

TreeSheets

INFORMATION AND DOWNLOAD http://treesheets.com/ Portable version http://portableapps.com/node/19038  COMMUNITY http://Groups.Google.com/group/treesheets

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 72 Free visual thinking tools Visuwords 18

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 73 Free visual thinking tools

 Dynamic visual This is not an application that allows you to make maps. Instead it builds maps for you based on a choice of dictionary word and its internal record of how presentation of word that word is associated with other words by meaning. It's rather like the relationships VisualThesaurus, but that requires a subscription for unlimited use, and VisuWords is free.  Read only You can double-click a node, and Visuwords will extend the associated vocabulary around that word. Click and drag the background to pan around and use the mouse wheel to zoom. If you hover over a node you'll see the definition and dragging individual nodes lets you rearrange the net. It's a very dynamic map, with its own physics built in, so it behaves like a rubberized net.

Although it is interactive, it is essentially read-only.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 74 Free visual thinking tools

Platforms supported

Online, browser-based, so it runs on most platforms: Windows; Linux; Mac OS X. Requires Flash, so does not work on iOS. Appearance Maps have a box and line appearance Predefined map formats and designs (colors, shapes, line styles) are included with the software Connections between nodes are not limited to a tree hierarchy, i.e. any node can be associated with any other, meaning a node can have multiple parents

Layout Layout is principally controlled by the software. You cannot override connections, but have great control over node position.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 75 Free visual thinking tools

Visuwords

USE IT HERE http://www.visuwords.com/ 

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 76 Free visual thinking tools VUE 19

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 77 Free visual thinking tools

 Combines concept VUE is an acronym for Visual Understanding Environment. mapping with This is a concept mapper with emphasis on organizing material for presentations including embedded videos. After completing the map, you can presentation specify a presentation path.

 Presentation-making is The appearance of the maps it makes is rather plain. A slightly organic appearance is possible with nice controls for curved and s-shaped links. not intuitive VUE can export interactive web pages. They are interactive in the sense that clicking on a file link or hyperlink will open or launch the file or web page. Files in such web pages are linked to the local PC, so this is not very portable, and to solve that, VUE can pack the map and all of its attachments in a VPK file (actually a compressed zip-type file. In addition to png and jpg image files, VUE can export to SVG and RDF formats.

As you might expect from a mapper developed in by academics, there are

provisions for classifying nodes in some detail: Keywords can be assigned, with categories using OpenCalais, and ontological terms can be assigned. With typical short concept map phrases in a node, however, OpenCalis will probably just say "This node does not contain enough meaningful information to be analysed." And an RDFS or OWL ontology must be imported to assign

ontological terms.

Images can be pulled in from Flikr

Collaboration support: Has experimental chat: AOL IM

Limitations: Needs an email address to download.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 78 Free visual thinking tools

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux Features Has support for making presentations Has provision for handling multi-maps:

by showing multiple maps on a page Has a built-in presentation browser Appearance Allows maps with a slightly organic appearance Allows maps with a box and line appearance Allows floating topics Connections between nodes are not limited to a tree hierarchy, i.e. any node can be

associated with any other, meaning a node can have multiple parents

Layout Layout is entirely manual Attachments Allows attachments to nodes. They may be of the following types: Notes to expand the detail given callouts active hyperlinks active links to files

images that can be seen on the map Nodes can have labels - they appear when a mouse is hovered over a labeled node

Attachments to nodes are saved as part of the map file, making sharing easier

Export

Can export the following types of file: Web pages XML

Image formats PDF

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 79 Free visual thinking tools

VUE

INFORMATION http://vue.uit.tufts.edu/index.cfm  DOWNLOAD http://vue.tufts.edu/download/index.cfm FORUM https://vue-forums.uit.tufts.edu/forums/list.page

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 80 Free visual thinking tools Xmind 20

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 81 Free visual thinking tools

 A first rate free mind If you want a free mind mapper for business use, it's very hard to beat Xmind. It started as a commercial product and then went open source. They still mapper for business charge for their Pro version, but the free Xmind is not at all basic - it's mapping amazingly capable. It even gives you access to a free online account on Xmind's server to help sharing your maps.  Changing the default Collaboration support: Maps can be loaded to a public server for download style map is hard and editing by others, but on-line editing is not supported. (changing an individual License limitations: Fewer export types than Pro, no task information can be map is easy) saved to support project management, and the free version does not make Gantt charts. On-line maps cannot be made private.

Platforms supported Windows; Mac OS X; Linux. Has online server for map storage. A portable version is available - this can be run from a USB memory stick and works on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux 32-bit/64 bit. Features

Has provision for handling multi-maps: by allowing a node in a map to be linked to other maps Searching text in a map is supported Node numbering (Various numbering styles) Drill down (temporarily make a topic the central one with only its children and below visible) Xmind workbooks allow multiple maps in one file It has an integrated browser that is used when you open attached hyperlinks It has a navigation map that makes it easy to find your way around large maps

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 82 Free visual thinking tools

Appearance

Allows maps with an organic appearance

Allows maps with a box and line appearance

Provides an outline view of a map

Allows floating topics

Predefined map formats & designs (colors, shapes, line styles), and six map layout

options are included with the software

Supports branch boundaries

Allows an exceptional level of control over the background of a map:

plain colored background

standard pattern image or use your own image control the transparency of the background image / pattern Optional legend (surprisingly, many free ones don't offer this)

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 83 Free visual thinking tools

Import / Export Can import the following types of file: FreeMind / Freeplane MindManager Can export the following types of file: Web pages Text Image formats FreeMind / Freeplane

Xmind

INFORMATION http://xmind.net/

DOWNLOADS http://www.xmind.net/downloads/ (includes portable version)  COMMUNITY http://xmindusers.Ning.com/ (recommended)

http://www.LinkedIn.com/ groups/XMind-Group-43266

group/xmind?pli=1 http://Groups.Google.com/

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 84 Free visual thinking tools

Resources Visual thinking models

Apps

Computer software or application programs that run on a desktop computer, in a browser, on a web server or a mobile device.

Boundaries

… or 'branch boundaries' are enclosures that emphasize the connection between topics on a branch.

Browser based Apps that must be run in a web browser. Some require a specific browser

Callouts Text associated with a node that is visible in the map. Links about concept maps Concept map About concept maps A concept map is similar to a mind map but cross links have equal weighting with How to make a concept map hierarchical links, and links describe relationships between concepts (nodes) with linking Choosing between concept maps phrases. and mind maps

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 85 Free visual thinking tools

Cross links Relationships between concepts or topics that do not

follow a tree hierarchy. This can sometimes mean that a topic or concept can have multiple parents. The example on the right shows this.

Desktop software Software that runs on a desktop or laptop computer and doesn't need to be connected to a network. Example:

Blumind.

Links about mind maps Mind map A mind map is a form of diagram that is principally a tree hierarchy with its main topic in a What is a mind map? central node and other topics connected to and surrounding this central node. Most How to make a mind map mind mapping software also allows you to draw connecting lines that are subsidiary to and visually distinct from the hierarchical connections. Buzan mind maps There's much more to it than that, and you can find more detail about the meanings and Common mind maps or Buzan common usage of the term "mind map" at the links on the left. mind maps? Notes Choosing between concept maps and mind maps Many mapping apps allow adding notes to nodes. The text will only be visible when the

node is selected and will appear in a separate panel. Online There are three types of online map/diagram software:

1. Web apps that you run from a browser. The web server (the distant computer) does the work, your computer just sends your instructions and displays the result. Some support collaborative editing. Example: Mind42.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 86 Free visual thinking tools

2. Apps you download that are installed as extensions to your browser and run in the browser. Your computer does most of the work, but the maps may be stored online - on a web server. Example: Connected Mind. 3. Desktop apps that can run without a connection to the Internet, where all the work is done locally, but that offer an online server to facilitate sharing and distribution of maps. Example: Xmind. Some even support collaborative editing, for example, Cmap Tools.

Organic A form of mind map where branches taper from the center out to the outermost nodes and the node words are along the line, rather than in a box or bubble, are generally described as organic.

"Slightly" or "somewhat" organic This means that the software allows you to use curved lines, but those who like the tree- branch style of organic maps, probably won't be satisfied with fixed-width curved lines to only extend to one level from the central topic.

Outline view Other valuable free resources A view of the hierarchy of a map that is laid out as a list with the degree of indentation of WikIT, the wiki about mapping a node showing its position in the hierarchy. Similar to indented, multi-level bullet points. information Portable version Directory of selected information Software Is described as portable if it can run be from a USB memory stick and does not maps from around the Web need you to install it. This means that the software is always available to you as you The mind mapping blog move from PC to PC, provided you have the USB with you, and USB ports are available

for you to use.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 87 Free visual thinking tools

Some companies block off access to USB ports for file-holding devices for reasons of computer security. For such cases when you do not have installation rights, you will have to use a browser based (see above) visual thinking tool. I have not tested any of the portable-version downloads.

Rectilinear Some software limits the arrangement of connecting lines between topics to horizontal and vertical straight lines, not allowing diagonals or curves (except perhaps at corners). Example: Mind42.

Relationship lines Curving lines in a mind map that link two branches. The gray lines in the image on the right are examples.

More like this Tree hierarchy A form of mind map that follows a If you found this useful, subscribe to tree's structure where every branch is Roy's thought stream, for more news connected only to its parent and any about visual tools and practise children, and there is no way of linking Subscribe between branches. Examples: MindNode and Mind42.

Roy Grubb http://www.InformationTamers.com/WikIT/ 88 Author Roy Grubb FBCS CITP is a businessFree consultant visual andthinking visualist. tools

As a consultant, he specializes in collaboration at the boundary between business and technology and uses visual models to clarify business for technology people and technology for business people. He uses visualization for problem solving, enterprise architecture and planning. As a visualist he very actively spreads the word on mapping information, knowledge, ideas, plans and meetings, and the use of visual tools. His knowledge of these tools is wide and he freely gives his time to answering questions about them on Twitter and in blog posts.

Roy is the chief editor of WikIT the mapping wiki, designer of 3D Topicscape the mapping information organizer and Managing Director of G&A Management Consultants Limited.

Follow Roy on Twitter: @roygrubb - ask about mapping - subscribe for visual thinking news.

  Book design inspired by Chris Guillebeau's brilliant 279 Days to Overnight Success

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