idea generating tools

These tools can be broken down into several groups:

[1]  idea generation

[2]  Mind Mapping tools

[3] Other Tools

I have tried a bunch of them over the years. I have even purchased one.

The first catagory of  software are the hardest to come by,but are the  most useful. They do more than just diagram ideas.  One such software is :

Axon Idea processor (http://web.singnet.com.sg)

 This is a unique  software package.  This program can  do  brainstorming . It can do simulation of networks, logic circuits, waiting queues and any situation than can be modeled.  Here is an example of a  cargo queue.(see above photo)  In  this photo, queue  is actually running, you can see partial readout in the graph.

 There are all sorts of other tools. There is a sequencer, analyser and tabulator tools .You can see the dire. Axon  also allows you to do all sorts of mapping.  You can see the types of mapping  it can do at  http://web.singnet.com.sg/~axon2000/showcase.htm

One of the more interesting aspects of this software is that is modeless. This means that you do not have to switch into editing  mode if you want to write etc.  You work in the Axon space a a seemless whole.

Axon comes in a free version called Axon Lite and a paying Version.  The Lite version is a limitted version of the paying version

 I will discuss mind mapping tools   There are a plethora of them out there. The ones I will look at are :

[1] SimpleMind

[2]  Personal Brain

[3]   MindJet Manager

[4] iThoughts

Simple Mind  is  a brainstorming tool for the,iphone and PC.   I have SimpleMindX. It is basically  a diagramming tool.  It 's main advantage is if you purchase it for $8  you can transfer you mindmaps to the desktop version.  SimpleMindX is the free version. Here is a mindmap I made with SimpleMindX   You can see what SimpleMind for the PC looks like at         http://www.simpleapps.eu/simplemind/desktop

Personal Brain is a Windows program.  It is much slicker than  Simple Mind.  There is a time limitted trial of 30 days.  The version you get is the PRO.  I am playing  around with the trial version.  Creating mind maps in this software is snap.  There are couple of really neat feautures in this software.  The first feature is called Wander. This feature will animate your mindmap and move through all the nodes and the child nodes.  The next feature I like is called a jump  node.  These are nodes don't fit into the main map but nonetheless are important There are many other neat features. The PRO version is $250.  The Core version is $150

MindJet Manager is a windows program. I find the interface confusing to use. I have seen  this interface in a web editor by  Trillian. For a web-editor it is ok, but not for mind-mapping software. It has the usual features of mind mapping software like allowing you to colapse,expand maps. You can connect maps to databases.  One thing I do like is the ease of connecting links to nodes. It also comes with many templates which is nice. I created a screen shot of Mindjet manger with non-descript mindmap mad from the templates.

iThoughts is for the iPhone. I don't own it yet,but it looks like the best of the mindmapping tool for the iPhone  You can see screenshots of it at http://www.ithoughts.co.uk/iThoughts/Screenshots.html

The last item I will discuss is the Creative Whack Pack.  It has now come out for the iphone. I used to have the deck and I have read Whack on the Right Side of your head.   Here is what it more or less looks like I love the Whack of the Day option,  You can email it to a friend or post it to twitter, or but it on Facebook. Each card comes it own sound effect.

UPDATE

In this update I will review iThoughts and Headspace

Headspace  This was first mind mapping tool that I purchased. I purchased it looked cool. I downloaded it and deleted many times. Finally I really like.  It allows for cross linking of topics. You can export to FreeMind. Headspace maps are different than other maps. It maps idea in boes and subboxes. You can see what a Headspace mindmap looks like at http://www.flatblackfilms.com/iphone/Headspace/Headspace.html

To see an exported Headspace mindmap see Headspace exporterd mindmap into Freemind image.

iThouughts  ihave played around with it. This miondmapping tool has much potential. The current version has no method to cross connect nodes or topics. This is major drawback for the program.  If this shows up in future version, iit will be a great app,and probably become my primary mindmapping tool.