One of my new favorite open source applications is a Java based mind-mapping software called FreeMind. In case you haven’t noticed I frequently entertain various random thoughts that sometimes, albeit rarely, stem from a common point of interest. The difficulty lies in organizing these thought patterns or “blueprints” of ideas into a meaningful concept and then describing this concept to another individual.

Not that I have any, but when dealing with complex, multifactorial concepts it is very difficult to communicate your thoughts in a clear, concise, and effective manner with the use of words alone. This is where mind-mapping software like FreeMind truly shines. A schematic can more readily convey the interconnected relationships that exist between given entities and reveal the structural components that comprise a given system. More easily put, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and FreeMind enables you to connect all of these “pictures” to display your line of thinking.

A few, of the many, great attributes of this tool is its user-friendly interface and intuitive design. After downloading the software package from Sourceforge.net and installing it, I was up and running with it in no time at all. Since then I have used it to create various mindmaps, projects, and to-do lists.

In total I have been using FreeMind for over a month now and not only has it made it easier for me to organize ideas and concepts but it has been a great source of fun as well. I frequently find that it is not just a tool in which I can collect and organize my thoughts but rather a catalyst for generating them.

What I Like:

� Great visual aid

� Terrific concept organizer

� Very flexible

� Easy to use

� Intuitive design

� User-friendly interface

� Drag & drop feature

� Ability to attach images

� Open source

What I Dislike:

� Inability to attach non-image files

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