There are many ways to think on paper. You might use outlines, notes, or slips of paper. One technique that is often talked about but seldom seen is mind mapping as popularized by Tony Buzan. Mind mapping starts in the center of your paper and radiates outward with many spokes, one for each major branch of your topic with spokes for each branch going on as far as you need to go.
Viewing your notes as a mind map helps you locate information quickly and form new associations between your data. Note taking can be faster with mind maps and gaps in your notes show up very easily.
I've used mind maps since the early 80s. People have made fun of my maps but often borrow them when their notes prove inadequate.
The only problem was getting the results of the mind map into my computer. The software product MindManager solves that problem and brings the power of mind mapping to your computer. After going through a very short tutorial you'll find it quick and easy to create mind maps. Updating and editing the map is very easy and the results are quite satisfactory. After you create your basic map, move your spokes around by dragging them with your mouse. Then connect topics that have a relationship. Mind Manager can export your maps to HTML or RTF formats for easy sharing with others who don't have the software.
I start by making a mind map on paper then transfer that map to
the Mind Manager software. This goes quickly and new ideas often
come to mind as I enter the data. With the map in place I add
notes, hyperlinks, and flesh the information out until the map is
fairly complete. If, for example, I'm mapping notes for a chapter
for a book a quick export to RTF converts my map into a file for
my favorite word processor. One annoying feature here is that I
can't export directly to Microsoft Word with heading levels for
Outline view. As a writer I find Mind Maps to be indispensable.
You'll find a great article titled "Mind Mapping for Writers"
here:
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?map1
I can use maps to quickly bring myself up to speed on topics I've studied in the past. A typical map takes me about five minutes to read and digest. Much quicker than digging through any traditional notes I've made. The notes are still useful but the map helps me pinpoint exactly where in my notes to start looking.
I've become especially attached to the HTML export feature. The mind map format is perfect for planning Websites and their non- linear navigation. Mind Manager keeps track of the relationships and hyperlinks for you and turns out a nicely formatted end product. It's become one of my favorite tools for prototyping a Web site, something I do several times a day.
My notes from this issue of TNPC are at:
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?map2
Notice how all of the notes are easily visible without having to put a structure to them. The other link on the page will show you the Web site of the issue created by the export module in Mind Manager.
If you just want to get your feet wet with electronic maps try eMindMaps also from MindJet. eMindMaps has a much more limited feature set but is only $29.99 compared to the $139.00 for Mind Manager. The export features are more limited in eMindMaps as you can only export your map as a Web graphic, text outline, or bitmap graphic. The full-featured Mind Manager can import/export eMindMap files should you need to share. The Internet collaboration features are only available in Mind Manager.
I wish you could watch me demonstrate this software. Everyone I've shown it to can't believe how easily you can become productive with it or how quickly you can outline a project. I've helped colleagues convert their own projects from notes to a mind map format and it instantly shows missing data and pinpoints areas for further research. The computerized mind map created in Mind Manager allows links to existing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations keeping everything in perspective. Am I excited about this software? Yes I am. Have a look and see what you think.
Mind Manager (English and German):
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?map3
eMindMaps.com (English and German):
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?map4
(For more information on mind maps read "Use Both Sides of Your
Brain," one of the books in our information-processing trilogy of
books mentioned in TNPC #3.02 -- Ed.)
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?amazon1
