Yesterday I started to talk about some tools that have served me well over the years. I talked about operating systems (of which I strongly prefer GNU+Linux), and an office suite (of which I strongly prefer LibreOffice). The last two tools I’m going to talk about are the Gnu Image Manipulation Program (commonly known as GIMP), and FreeMind. First up: the Gnu Image Manipulation Program.
GIMP: Despite having an unfortunate acronym, the Gnu Image Manipulation Program is a powerful tool. While in school (and as an instructor) I often had reason to create small graphics to assist in teaching or explaining certain concepts. At any rate, I also ended up becoming an in-house graphic designer. I started out with proprietary software I couldn’t afford (but the university was able to), but once I found GIMP I never went back. Free cost, freedom, and powerful tools. If you’re uncertain if you need that other program or not — you don’t. Download this and check out some tutorials online. It could have the tag line of “More powerful than you need.”
FreeMind: A mind mapping program for assisting people who don’t think linearly (like me). Also known as a “brainstorm” method. This is typically used on whiteboards, chalkboards, and big meeting paper displays in order to quickly think of a lot of ideas around a central subject (things bubbling out from a central point). It doesn’t require linear thinking, but instead allows all sorts of tangential thinking to take place at the same time. The best ideas (in theory) emerge. Connections (hopefully) can be made. Structure (possibly) can emerge. Digitizing this process allows you to think non-linearly, but export in an outline form. Unbelievably useful. I started all of my large projects and papers with this program.
What programs have you found indispensable?