Best Mindmapping Tool

Free Mind is free, and certainly works well. Best, I don't know. Comparing mind maps you buy would involve shelling out big $$$ to compare (or the use of nefarious means to acquire said software). Frank Bruno has a nice Mind Map program going in his WSO for a mere $27 -- I've been using it myself, and like it.

I use Xmind. Also free (open source).

Basic functions are simple, which is where I am at right now, but it does a ton-load of other stuff, which is where I am gonna be later.

Lots of people who use it say it is better than Free Mind, at least prettier. I certainly think so.

Michael

I dont know if it's he best but I use bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online

I second Mindjets Mindmanager. It's awesome.

I used Freemind to map out a course I'm working on. It's easy to learn to use.

Richard,

That thing actually is cool. And I only watched the first video so far.

I'm a writer and this looks like it already fits me to a tee. From what I have seen, once I have learned it properly, I can even clean up some of the clutter in my mind.



Thank you.

Michael

Check out the brain dot com.

It's pretty cool too.

If you like Buzan style mind mapping, there's iMindMap.

Mind Mapping by Tony Buzan - iMindMap Official Mind Map Software

When I first learned what mind maps were, there wasn't any software for it. Being sort of meta-ADD (not diagnosed, just lack focus) I adopted it into the way I take notes, even back in school. It's sort of part doodles, part shorthand, lots of illustrations of ideas (I went to art school)...

The point is, I think a lot of mind map software really is just "an outline, but not a list" kind of software. It really doesn't "map" anything the way a real mind-map does. To me, a mind map is more about actually mapping out inter-related ideas in your head in order to either crystalize the connections there so you remember better, or spot "gaps" where you can strengthen or create new connections in order to better understand your subject.

In order for someone to make a "mind map" that another person can even comprehend just very much limits its usefulness, because it's no longer a map of your own mind.

If I was going to try to make a point to this comment, I guess it's that if you think mind mapping is just a neat way to make an outline, you're missing out on the most deeply stimulating and productive part of the exercise.

The brain is basically just a big pattern recognition computer that takes input from the senses and interconnects that input with abstract ideas and fragmentary memories to make up what we consider to be "experience" as we are able to recall it after it's already happened. This is not just theoretically true, but PHYSICALLY true as well. It's been proven that an idea can reside in a single neuron, and that the connections between neurons are literally what connect ideas. Smarter people's brains are actually denser due to the increase of connections between neurons.

Mind mapping is a way to extend that system which your brain uses onto an external storage and viewing space. It's like quantum computing - you can use resources outside your brain to extend its capacity and functionality.

I can still grab old college notebooks that are 10+ years old now, and they would look like doodles and weird diagrams to anyone else, but I can remember perfectly what class they're from, who taught it, even in some cases, what happened that day. Because all of those things are integrated into the map - placing new ideas I learned into the context of something that happened to me at lunch, etc.

Anyway - with that being said, the best mind-mapping tool is YOU, a pencil and some paper. If you MUST do it on a computer (and I dosometimes) I use a Wacom drafting tablet and photoshop.

Typing things into a mind-map software totally disengages the bridge between the creative and analytical mind that mapping was created to preserve. At least, that's how it's been when I've used it.

Hope that helps, even though it was probably useless to the OP.

I use Mindjet Mindmanager and mindberry for my blackberry storm.

Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister

There's a free option and a pay option.

In both of the you can import and export FreeMind maps. I've used this to send my freemind map to colleagues, have them make mods, then let me export it back to my local freemind. Worked great.

I have used Novamind for 3 plus years off and on. It isnt cheap but its great cross platform software ( Im a Mac user ) They are just bringing version 5 out which looks like its going to be awesome.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm a Mac user and I've used freemind and mindjet - will check out some of the other mentions.

I been using mindmeister.com lately, worth a try ...

Does anyone know if any of these come with a good image library? From my experiences good images are the key to great mindmaps.

I found this 411 and thought it might give you a decent reference point

Four Open Source Mind Mapping Apps to Keep You Focused Four Open Source Mind Mapping Apps to Keep You Focused

I use Mindjet Mindmanager, haven't tried any other software.