XMIND ONLINE UPDATE
XMIND ONLINE SOFTWARE

If anything, my main gripe would be that it's not as well known as some other software so it took me a while to find it. I use enough of the Setapp utilities and apps that Xmind is basically free for me and that's just another big plus.

XMIND ONLINE UPDATE

I'm using XMind 8 Update 8 Pro via a license with Setapp (a subscription service that aggregates 200+ apps for $10/mth). I love that it's also available on IOS devices but so far, have been content to use it mostly on my Mac. Flexibility - I can use a range of shapes and even the included clip art or my own images. Mostly because it has two big criteria that I look for: 1. I've trialled or used a lot of mind mapping software and this is the one that I stick with. The clip art and ability to use straight or curved lines, and format text as I like helps for communication also.

And sometimes I just data-dump a brainstorm of ideas for whatever I'm working on. Other times for organizational charts or taxonomies.

Sometimes I also use it for building models for presentations. I start with these 4 trees on the mind-map but the results can cover hundreds of branches as each branch stimulates new ideas. 4MAT is a good process and worth learning more about. ? What if it everyone knew/did/felt this? 'What if?' is designed to stimulate the thinking processes based on the Why, What, How of the article/book/presentation. The WHY is all about 'Why should people read/know/care about this?', then WHAT is it that I want them to know/do/feel, and HOW do they do this, then finally the IF? is all about What if? What if I (the reader) do this and it works or doesn't work? What if the next step is. I typically use the 4MAT model (as originally developed by Bernice McCarthy in 1980) which creates a 4 way mind-map, starting with WHY in the top right quadrant then WHAT in the lower right, HOW in the lower left and continuing clockwise to create a branch about IF? in the top left quadrant. Mostly I like that it's a fast way for me to scope and think about an article or book. And can form the basis of a great Prezi layout if you use the clip art. I use it for mind-mapping my articles, presentations, and books. Great package for mind-mapping and planning your work

Xmind online