初识mind-mapping

sf.net 的本月最佳工程是 FreeMind，这是我接触的第二个“Mind“类型的软件，第一个是 MindManager，是回家过年的时候《软件》杂志CD赠送的（还附带了Keygen！)，当时只是了解了一下没太在意。

今天在公司写PDF Pattern的时候，随手在纸上画草图，偶然发现与 MindManager 的样图有相似处（主要是内容的组织方面）。可惜那个东东只能在 Windows 上用，且盗版！上 SF 找个开源的，竟然是 Project of the Month。

值得注意的是并不仅仅是这一两个“画图”软件，而是在其后的用来记录、维护和扩展 Mind 的方法。也就是 mind-mapping。

按照 FreeMind 的说法：

FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java.

So you want to write a completely new metaphysics? Why don't you use FreeMind? You have a tool at hand that remarkably resembles the tray slips of Robert Pirsig, described in his sequel to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance called Lila. Do you want to refactor your essays in a similar way you would refactor software? Or do you want to keep personal knowledge base, which is easy to manage? Why don't you try FreeMind? Do you want to prioritize, know where you are, where you've been and where you are heading, as Stephen Covey would advise you? Have you tried FreeMind to keep track of all the things that are needed for that?

按照 Tony Buzan（The Mind Map Book 的作者）的说法：

The Mind Map is an expression of Radiant Thinking and is therefore a natural function of the human mind. It is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlocking the potential of the brain. The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance. The Mind Map has four essential characteristics:

a) The subject of attention is crystallised in a central image
b) The main themes of the subject radiate from the central image on branches
c) Branches hold a key image / word printed on the associated line - details radiate out
d) The branches form a connected nodal structure.

有两个网站不得不提：
http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/ Tony Buzan 的公司，有关于 mind mapping 的基本信息。
http://www.thinksmart.com/mission/workout/mindmapping_intro.html 文章： Mindmapping in 8 Easy Steps 非常好的简介性文章。

这8个步骤依次是：

1. Center First. 确定思维目标（What you want to think about）。
2. Lighten Up. 随意画出一个相关联的 Mind（Mind-mapping is a mind dump），轻松一点。
   
3. Free Associate. 画出 Mind 的扩展、分支，重要是尽量多。
4. Think Fast. 在7~8分钟内尽量用关键字和图形符号记录 Mind。
5. Break Boundaries. 使用各种方法促进思考，如多种颜色，多种材料。
6. Judge Not. 记录 everything，别去想它们之间的关系，“它们有关系”。
7. Keep Moving. 当记录慢下来的时候，画一个“?”分支，你的大脑会自己填上他。（就像写一个序号一样：）
8. Allow Organization. 管理（组织）总是可以放在最后，第一重要的是记录。
9. 
   

Have Fun!