http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/ Thinking beyond productivity Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:54:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/#comment-833 Chuck Frey Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:16:06 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=193#comment-833 One of the most powerful capabilities of mind mapping software is that it gives you almost unlimited flexibility to rearrange your topics and ideas until they more perfectly represent your ideas. Each time you move a topic, you have the opportunity to reconsider it within a new context - something that mind mapping experts call "refactoring" - and which can lead to new ideas and a better understanding of the relationships between your ideas. One of the most powerful capabilities of mind mapping software is that it gives you almost unlimited flexibility to rearrange your topics and ideas until they more perfectly represent your ideas. Each time you move a topic, you have the opportunity to reconsider it within a new context – something that mind mapping experts call “refactoring” – and which can lead to new ideas and a better understanding of the relationships between your ideas.

]]> http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/#comment-773 Linking Actions to Projects: The Big GTD Controversy Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:54:49 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=193#comment-773 [...] Get Tools for Thought (RSS | Email ) ← Lists, Trees and Maps: Three Fundamentals for Externalized Thinking [...] [...] Get Tools for Thought (RSS | Email ) ← Lists, Trees and Maps: Three Fundamentals for Externalized Thinking [...]

]]> http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/#comment-766 Andre Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:34:27 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=193#comment-766 Maps (the generic term, including but not limited to mind maps) can be or incorporate non-hierarchical relationships -- like flowcharts -- as well as hierarchies. In the case of mind maps specifically, their radial structure encourages free associations that wouldn't necessarily occur when constructing trees. With trees, the object is to <i>work out</i> the organization between elements. With mind maps, the idea is to populate the field with whatever comes to mind around a central theme. Technically, I agree that trees and mind maps are the same -- they're collections of branching elements. I use digital outliners to brainstorm myself. They're more portable than mind maps, and I can use them to brainstorm on my Centro (using Bonsai or SplashNotes). But mind maps allow a person to position elements without necessarily establishing a level of hierarchy first, and only create child items if they occur naturally. Maps (the generic term, including but not limited to mind maps) can be or incorporate non-hierarchical relationships — like flowcharts — as well as hierarchies. In the case of mind maps specifically, their radial structure encourages free associations that wouldn’t necessarily occur when constructing trees. With trees, the object is to work out the organization between elements. With mind maps, the idea is to populate the field with whatever comes to mind around a central theme.
Technically, I agree that trees and mind maps are the same — they’re collections of branching elements. I use digital outliners to brainstorm myself. They’re more portable than mind maps, and I can use them to brainstorm on my Centro (using Bonsai or SplashNotes). But mind maps allow a person to position elements without necessarily establishing a level of hierarchy first, and only create child items if they occur naturally.

]]> http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/#comment-765 Vered Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:26:18 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=193#comment-765 I love lists and make them all the time. They are easy and intuitive. Trees and maps - I don't think my brain is equipped to handle those. I love lists and make them all the time. They are easy and intuitive. Trees and maps – I don’t think my brain is equipped to handle those.

]]> http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/07/16/lists-trees-and-maps-three-fundamentals-for-externalized-thinking/#comment-763 wildemar Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:51:00 +0000 http://tools-for-thought.com/?p=193#comment-763 On what grounds do you make a distinction between a Mindmap and a Tree? They are the same thing (trees, mathematically), only represented in different ways. On what grounds do you make a distinction between a Mindmap and a Tree? They are the same thing (trees, mathematically), only represented in different ways.

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