The document discusses and compares 9 different mind mapping and flow chart tools. It provides brief descriptions of each tool, highlighting features like real-time collaboration, web-based use, customization options, and pricing. Tools mentioned include MindMeister, Gliffy, Mindomo, Bubbl.us, Flowchart.com, Comapping, WriteMaps, Mind42, and Kayuda. The document concludes by stating that each tool has strengths and weaknesses for collaborative concept exploration and analysis.

1. Mind Mapping

2. Freemind lacks the ability to collaborate in real time and is not
web based. Here are 9 great mind mapping and flow chart
tools (that we could find!):

3. MindMeister focuses on enabling users to ‘create, share,
import, export and collaborate’ on mind maps. Unlike other
tools, they also offer a Premium service for $4/month which
gives you the ability to create unlimited mind maps, export
them in the Freemind format, embed them in blogs and sites,
and do it all through a full SSL-encrypted, advertising-free
session.

4. Gliffy is an online diagram editor (flow chart creator). Gliffy runs
in your browser. With this service users can create colored flow
charts and those flow charts can be shared with others. The
service also supports floorplans for those of you designing a
home or business. Gliffy gives free 30 day accounts and
monthly subscription options.

6. Mindomo is another free and Flash-based alternative to
creating mind maps which provides a fully Office 2007-inspired
interface. Of all the ones listed, I found it the easiest to get
used to given the familarity of its interface. In general, it’s one
of the most customizable ones out there — supporting layouts,
styles, colours, textures, and even icons.

7. Bubbl.us is a simple tool for brainstorming. Free to use, it
allows you to save and keep a collection of your brainstorms
and even share/work on them with your friends. It’s Flash-
based, you can also get your brainstorms in a printable form,
colour-code them, and best of all, it has enough keyboard
shortcuts that one could make one without even touching the
mouse.

8. Flowchart.com is a flow chart creator that is in private beta right
now. Charts can be made online without any plugin and does
have support for real time online collaboration between multiple
users. The demo is promising, so you can sign up for an invite
to the private beta if this a tool you may need.

9. Comapping is an online collaborative mind mapping system. I
am really impressed by this site so far. I find Freemind really
useful, and this seems like an online incarnation of that
software with some extra features. Comapping allows for task
management and status emails and online presentations. If you
like mind mapping, give this a shot.

10. WriteMaps
WriteMaps is a tool that’s meant for mapping websites and
creating sitemaps. This is not an effective tool for the novice to
be able to make it useful. It does have collaborative features to
share access to the site map.
Not Recommended

11. Mind42, which stands for ‘mind for two,’ is one of the few mind
mapping tools based on AJAX. It features neat zooming and
drag-and-drop features, and exclusively focuses on the sharing
and collaborating aspect of mind maps. Currently in beta, it’s
free and works on most platforms.

12. Kayuda provides users the concept of ‘workspaces.’ Each
workspace includes a mind map with a node list, nav map,
guide and layers. With Kayuda, users can create and share
these workspaces and work on real-life mind maps with others.
As they state: authors use it to create stories, gamers use it to
create campaigns, businesses use it to collaborate on projects,
and individuals use it to brainstorm ideas in a way that never
gets lost.

13. Conclusion
In conclusion, each of these tools have their strengths and
weaknesses. The best tool in this class of collaborative concept
exploration and analysis is ...