Every mind mapping tool that I’ve seen allows one to either attach a file or a link to a file to a node on the mind map. In most software this seemed to be an afterthought. Then I remembered a tool I thought about using because it seemed to meet my needs. I wasn’t really looking for software to help me take notes, i was looking for a tool that would help me find the bits and pieces of information that I had scattered throughout my hard drive.
Among this kind of software I found Circus Ponies Notebook. That was more of a note taking program similar to OneNote. I found DevonThink; again another note taking program that could take files in. Then I found Eaglefiler. You can take notes using Rich Text, but it’s forte was managing directories and the files contained within them. What I was looking for.
The one Organizational tool that I seriously gave some though to was a tool that used mind mapping and attaching files to nodes to manage them. At the time this came around I was still not convinced of the efficacy of the mind mapping technique. There seemed to be a lot of New Age mumbo jumbo associated with mind mapping. I bought this tool, but I find that I use it more for mind mapping now, than any real file control.
The tool I am talking about is The Brain. This Java program uses databases and a very elegant mind mapping front end to produce a very solid piece of software. If you wanted to you could literally organize the files on your computer, including photos. You can also produce very interesting mind maps. I did not choose this software to manage my files because I was still trying to wrap my mind around mind mapping. I have a tendency to buy software and not use it after I feel the initial pain of set up, rather than using the free trial.
I have since given mind mapping a shot at some course ware I am writing and I find it a very good way to get my ideas out and organized. Mind mapping software is great for allowing me to do this. Personal Brain( the name for their client software, does a very good job of allowing me to do my thinking.
Personal Brain’s core is Java and this explains why they have three versions with very little trouble. They have Mac, Windows, and Linux. This is another plus in that you can move a plex to Linux, or Mac and still work with it. Personal Brain comes in a free version, and the free version works like the pro for 30 days.
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