Mind Map Architect

With a rich history in data visualization and problem solving, mind maps are widely used for organizing ideas and improving workflow. There are various applications out there that can help you build such graphical representations and one of them is suggestively called Mind Map Architect.

Mind Map Architect enables you to create diagrams that can help you organize large information sets, put ideas into order and keep track of tasks and actions. It can build maps with multiple branches that relate to the main idea.

Creating new items to include in the map is done by pressing the 'Enter' or the 'Insert' key, although it would be much more convenient to have a designated option in the right-click menu. Items are automatically arranged in the working area, not allowing you to move them around.

Each item can be assigned a custom title and a text note. There are options for text editing, changing font styles, colors of the lines, canvas, texts and the background.

There are a few symbols that you can associate to an entry in order to view its status at a glance. The item can be marked as done, question, bomb, warning, idea, tip or an e-mail, a phone number, a plan, a bug, an URL. For easier identification, you can color ideas and branches.

Thanks to its tab-based interface, Mind Map Architect enables you to work with multiple projects at the same time.

While it does not offer as much as its competitors, Mind Map Architect remains a viable open-source alternative to more expensive mind map creators.

Of course, integrating flowchart templates, clip arts and more customization options could really add to its value.