Microsoft Word 2008 ( ) in full-screen mode, but without all the palettes and menu choices, so you can focus on your idea.

For example, there are sidebars on the left for dropping artwork onto the page, and a symbol library where you can attach icons-such as a stop sign or a thumbs-up symbol-to any object. The current version streamlines the familiar MindMap interface so you can find clip art, tools, and document viewing options faster and more easily. Think of a good candidate for a Web design team you’re assembling? Suddenly inspired to build a canoe from scratch? MindMap’s open interface-really, it’s just a blank page with objects for text and artwork-is like the king of idea-generation because it doesn’t try to flaunt its powerful features. Desktop software such as ConceptDraw MindMap Pro can help you capture the thought just as easily. For most of us, jotting down that idea means fumbling for a pen and paper.

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, a new idea could spring to life.

Conceptdraw mindmap for ipad