Linux for Designers

Bugsbane writes: I took a look at it after your last blog post, and it does indeed seem to be the best app of it's kind that I've seen,however... like all the other mindmap apps it seems to suffer from one major, fatal flaw. Mindmaps work not just by being in a branching structure, but by having each map and branch be manually created to be visually unique and creative. That's what makes them memorable and easy to visually identify one part from another. Look at the demonstration mindmaps used by those teaching the concept and you won't see neatly laid out, identical, smooth branching lines with no more variation than a different colour. Every branch and map should be visually interesting and as unusual as possible. That's what makes them memorable. These minmdmap apps all seem to try and work in the exact opposite direction, making everything look uniform, neat, tidy,forgettable and indistinguishable without reading their words. They're intruiging, but for anyone wanting to create an actual mindmap instead of just a branching word processor document, you would be better served by a piece of creative software such as Krita, MyPaint or Gimp Painter with a tablet.

Bugsbane writes: So how would you do something like this: http://resourcebank.sitc.co.uk/Resources/EA/ArgyllBute/ObanHigh/IanGowdie/IaGo_J001ArtdepMindmap.jpg this... http://www.gyanpedia.in/Portals/0/brain-metaphor-mind-map-luis-garcia.jpg this... http://ca-global.biz/images/mindmap.jpg or even: http://uecho.deviantart.com/art/Mind-Map-Uzair-Akram-131313383 (yes, mind maps don't, by definition, need words at all) In xmind / thinkfree / mind mapper? Is it not the slightest problem that they all come out virtually identical like: http://suhailalgosaibi.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/sample-mind-map.jpg Yes, I'm aware you can add the odd bit of clip art to their perfectly smooth, mathematically drawn branches. Thats a bit like saying MS Excel is a word processor because you can write text into it, while the fundamental structure is not set up for the task properly. Mindmaps are inherently supposed to be both radial (which all the software does) AND totally visually unique as , which none of this software does. Changing the colour of the line and putting a picture next to it is peanuts compared to what is done with traditional textas on paper. Don't get me wrong, I think software could be really useful in this process as long as it remembers the fundamentals of what mindmaps are about. In that light, standard creative tools (eg Inkscape) could work much better imo.

Bart writes: Xmind has free connectors with descriptions too (CTRL+L) and you can setup on each node diffeent kinds structure types. You may have kept an eye on the property dialog ;)

Machster writes: Responding to M. Bugsbane: What he is suggesting for mind mapping is a program that is completely freeform and devoid of any presets and structure. Unfortunately that would require a certain amount of artistic talent and imagination on the part of the maker. Those that have the talent (and patience) would not even need a digital program to begin with. But not everyone requires complete a completely different map for the to be useful. Variations however slight can be enough for some people. And with programs such as XMind those who are not artistically inclined have an option to use mind mapping whereas otherwise they would not. The examples given by Bugbane are more works of art than being mind maps. Nice to look at, yes, but, to rule out maps with structure is simply wrong. I look at an example given in Bragsbane's post above and see it as a totally unorganized mess that is hardly memorable. My brain wants a certain amount of order and familiarity. Gregg Allen, of GTD fame, will just scratch thoughts down in a simple map and then dispose of it. To him maps are only a means to organize thoughts and not works of art.