Downsides of Mind Mapping Applications

What issues do mind mapping applications present? (Note that I said applications, plural.)

Firstly, these tools impose limitations on your mind map's structure. They need to do so to manage new nodes properly. While good applications provide various layout options, as shown by iThoughts:

Despite the variety of layouts, this can be quite frustrating. Can you predict what your mind map will look like based on those names? I certainly can’t.

I usually select the layout that seems closest to my vision and dump ideas onto it. Unfortunately, I often forget the appearance of previous mind maps.

As I delve deeper into my project, nodes seldom land where I intend, leading me to experiment with other layouts. It rarely feels right, indicating that developers recognize this challenge.

Assuming I find an acceptable layout, I generally need to start typing. While some prefer this method, it tends to slow me down when I’m trying to grasp the broader context of a project.

Research suggests that handwriting can enhance creativity:

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What truly hinders my workflow, though, is the inability to jot down thoughts in the spaces between nodes. Applications like iThoughts allow for adding comment notes, but this adds unnecessary complexity, requiring me to remember the process.

While none of these issues are catastrophic, they create friction that stifles creativity. When ideas flood in, I want to capture them swiftly and without hindrance.

Why Whiteboard Applications Are Superior

Initially, I referred to whiteboard apps as infinite canvas tools. You might notice this in the whiteboard I used for this article.

The concept of an infinite canvas is what gives a whiteboard application the edge over a mind mapping tool. It's not that the whiteboard offers a physically larger space; rather, it allows for freeform creativity across the entire canvas.

• You can design any mind map layout that suits your needs, or even use several at once.
• Want to integrate a flowchart? Go ahead.
• Scribble freely wherever you wish.

Embrace whatever approach feels natural to foster creativity. You can always tidy it up later, akin to having a massive whiteboard at your disposal.

Some may find this freedom overwhelming, but it’s precisely what is needed during the early stages of the creative process. Structure will emerge later as you draft outlines and documents.

That said, there are challenges with this method, which I will revisit.

Requirements for a Whiteboard Application

Essential Features

• An infinite canvas that allows seamless writing and drawing anywhere.
• Intuitive zooming capabilities without losing clarity.
• A bookmarking or pin system to easily locate important sections as the canvas expands.
• The ability to export all or part of the canvas as a PDF or image.
• Text input options.

Desirable Features:

• Good document management, including folders, tags, and version control, which is almost essential.
• Options to add media and link to or embed documents, creating a centralized hub for your project.
• Custom stickers for easy navigation when zoomed out.
• A search feature for the canvas content and any referenced or embedded items.
• Collaboration tools, which may be crucial for many users but aren’t strictly necessary.

Nice to Have:

• OCR capabilities for text and object recognition to prevent images from becoming information voids.
• Widgets such as timers and calculators, which can be useful, though I haven’t utilized them yet.

Exploring Whiteboard App Options

This is not an exhaustive review of whiteboard applications, but here are a few I considered after rediscovering the whiteboarding concept.

• Prodrafts (iPad/iPhone only)

This app introduced me to the world of whiteboarding!

Pros:

• Reasonable one-time purchase price.
• Focused on whiteboarding, minimizing distractions.
• Excellent navigation system using pins.
• Smooth zooming, writing, and scrolling.
• Ability to add stickers, etc.

Cons:

• I haven't found collaboration features, but I don't currently need them.
• Microsoft Whiteboard (multi-platform)

This is a reliable whiteboarding tool, though I initially overlooked it. After using Prodrafts, I took another look.

Pros:

• Appears to offer a solid infinite canvas.
• Allows for adding notes and embedding shapes, as seen in the screenshot below.
• Free and accessible across multiple platforms.

Cons:

• I struggled to find a navigation equivalent to Prodrafts’ pin system.
• It integrates you into the Microsoft ecosystem.

Note-taking Apps with Infinite Canvas Options:

• Microsoft OneNote; free and multi-platform.
• Nebu; free; iPad/iPhone only.

Pros:

• All options provide a free infinite canvas for drawing.
• They also offer strong note-taking features.

Cons:

• They do not primarily function as whiteboard applications.

Prodrafts in Action

Here’s the whiteboard for this article:

• Notice the small pins on the whiteboard, which facilitate navigation even when zoomed in.
• The app employs standard iPadOS pen tools, allowing for writing, highlighting, and selecting on the canvas. A ruler is also included for alignment.
• The right panel showcases embeddable elements. The Calculator and Timer are widgets that can be added to the canvas while working. While I haven't used them yet, I may find them beneficial in the future.
• The Paster feature allows the addition of bitmap images, similar to stickers. I don't frequently use them, but I feel I should!
• The Sketchpad function lets you insert template documents onto the canvas, such as a Cornell notes page, which I may utilize eventually.

Creating a mind map is incredibly straightforward; you simply start drawing and writing. Zooming in and out reveals new areas for notes. I mark important locations as I go, turning my pin menu into an outline for the whiteboard.

When I'm ready to draft a document, I take a screenshot of the pin menu and embed it on the whiteboard. This helps me cross-reference and develop a structured outline. While this may be a workaround, it is highly effective.

What happens when your project expands and you need to add a new section? Simply zoom out and draw a line into the open space. Create a pin to ensure you can easily find it later.

I could enrich the whiteboard with stickers and forms, but I tend to keep things minimal and only add text links to websites.

The Book Project

After years of hesitation, I've finally gathered enough ideas to write fiction. Unsurprisingly, it will be a series of fantasy tales that may evolve into a book or multiple volumes.

I don’t anticipate selling a million copies—or even one. This endeavor is purely for enjoyment.

The stories will be loosely inspired by the world of Skyrim, and I’m using Skyrim on my iMac to explore ideas further. Here’s how I transformed my iMac:

<h2>How I Transformed my Mac Into my Dream Games Machine for $200</h2>

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Here's my current whiteboard:

It’s already substantial, so I rely heavily on the pin navigation system. Despite its size, I find it manageable on the 11” iPad Pro.

Downsides of the Whiteboarding Approach

• A well-maintained pin navigation system is essential; without it, locating information becomes challenging. Discipline is key.
• The flexibility of a whiteboard can also be a disadvantage; without enforced structure, it can easily become chaotic.
• Exporting content in formats like OPML for outlining tools isn't straightforward. While you can reference the whiteboard, exporting a PDF of some or all of the board is feasible.

Key Takeaways

The sense of freedom, coupled with an efficient pin navigation system, drew me into the realm of whiteboards. As I progress in creating long-form fiction, I’m uncovering various techniques and research insights. It’s comforting to know that there's always a spot on the whiteboard for my ideas.

Will this be my sole tool? No. This represents merely the initial phase of a creative journey, ultimately leading to a more structured and organized product, such as an outline. The whiteboard is my space to brainstorm, analyze the broader picture, and determine my next steps.