Visual Thinking – Free Mind Mapping Softwares

Many of us feel that it is getting increasingly difficult to write down our thoughts in words, especially as our thinking has become more complex, and as non-linear as it always was! Probably many of us were taught some point in time on how to put down our unstructured ideas using pictures and random messages, using a mind-map. Yes, it works, when an idea strikes – it comes like a lightening bolt, with many many follow up flashes and flickers. That moment, I just prefer jot down as it happens, and there is usually no time to structure it in any reasonable ways (that can be done later, and while eliminating non-sensible parts of it!).

Some software companies have obviously thought that Visual Thinking is a promising area, and they have created great tool (ConceptDraw, SmartDraw, MindJet etc). They cost money but. And then, there are those who are offering online tools (Mind42, Mindomo etc), great for collaboration work, but you have to be online, for now at least. But if these don’t cut for you – you want them free and be able to use them offline too, then, here are two great tools – FreeMind and Cayra. Below is brief overview, but try ‘em yourself, its worth it:

FreeMind: This has been around for a while, fundamental tool for functional Mind Mapping. Basic but good stuff. Don’t get fancy with ideas to create pretty visuals, but use it as a tool to quickly note down your ideas.

Cayra: New tool released recently, has greater visual impact, especially with images and animated re-focus on nodes. Great to to play with and impress your audience. You can get creative. Additional features – it can import diagrams created in other tools, including FreeMind.

Another interesting fact – FreeMind is Java, and Cayra is .Net …err, if at all it matters!