A mind map is a visual organizational tool with related words and concepts linked with a key concept by means of lines and arrows. On the Tablet PC there are a couple well known mind mapping tools, most notably Mind Manager by Mindjet which starts at $229 USD on the PC and Mac. With Mindomo you can create free mind maps.

Mindomo has their own registration system (too bad no OpenID) which requires first name, last name, email, username and password. Email address doesn’t accept + for Google filtering. Fill the form out and then confirm by clicking the validation link sent in the email. Then it’s onto creating your own mind map. It launches in full maximize mode, but you can resize by clicking around the edges.

Here’s a basic right mind map I whipped up in a few minutes on virtual worlds:

You can add images, background, hyperlinks and assign tasks. The map starts out private, and Mindomo allows you to create up to 7 private mind maps. It wasn’t very clear how to make the mind map public, so I went searching on the site and ended up in the forum. when you choose “save as” make sure you click on the “public” folder on the left.

I resaved my virtual worlds mind map as public. Next I deleted and then opened my Virtual Worlds mind map saved to public below:
http://www.mindomo.com/view.php?m=5a99211fae82775fc23057154d54ef05

Mindomo is taking the Google ad-supported model and puts a long, thin, unobtrusive ad strip in the right sidebar:

When Mindomo leaves beta a premium version for 4.99 Euros a month will offer a more secure environment, unlimited private maps and more.

Mind mapping is the kind of thing that feels best in your own handwriting and thus is perhaps best suited to Tablet PC users or traditional yellow pad and pencil. Still, Mindomo is worth looking over for the many people who don’t have tablets and don’t want to go old school with ink and/or lead. I can see using Mindomo for a few things, sort of like I’ve been using Google Spreadsheets and Docs online. I wonder if Google will either buy this or launch a competing product. It would fit their growing suite of online applications.

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