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Mind Maping/Clustering, "Ideas First -- Computer Programs Second"

        "Ideas First -- Computer Programs Second"

One of the main benefits of "mind Mapping" or "Clustering"
or any of several other names for the same thing, is the
speed with which you can get ideas out of your brain in a
"stream of consciousness" fashion, with out having to pay
any attention to the "linear_structure" you might want to
have them organized in later (after the brain has dumped
them all out for you).

I have looked at all of the computer programs I know about,
and have not found one yet that allows me to work as fast
as I can with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil ... or
on the 4 foot X 8 foot white wall board I have on my wall,
with erasable markers.

(Note: This method also works great with a group of people
all shouting out ideas quickly in a brain storming session)

The computer is better suited (IMHO) to entering the information
after the brain has spit it out.  A program like "Inspiration"
is great because it works like a wonderful diagramming tool,
and when you are done you can press a button and Voila' ... it
creates an outline of all the diagrams and links automatically
(available for Mac and Windows).  Also, programs like Coral
Flow are really good too, and offer an almost infinite variety
of diagram shapes, sizes, fonts, etc etc.

There are two excellent books that I would recommend (I may have
the titles wrong - if so I know Mark Sakry will correct me :),
they are "Writing With the Right Side of the Brain" and
"Drawing With the Right Side of the Brain", (well ... something
like that).

I have used mind mapping/clustering for years (20+?) and would
not know how to get a good idea out of my head with out it
at times.  I think there are some ideas that just will not come
out unless the brain can spit them out at top speed ... It is
kind of like a sports event for the brain ... The faster you
make it go and the more often you make it go fast (exercise)
the faster and better it works.

Dennis Strain
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