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Using mind maps to scaffold your landscape
A great sense-making tool (one of the oldest) is mind-mapping.
FreeMind (available from
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) is a free mindmapping tool (in order to have it work on Vista you have to download the JRE, as it is implemented in Java.) You'll also probably find the
pdf version of the instructions useful.
What to do
Mind maps are an open-ended tool meant to help you organize the information you are accumulating, and uncover how you associate, organize and interpret that information.
You don't have to use formal mindmapping tools to make a mind map - you can use any software, as in this map of Ifi's:
[see also UnderstandingANewField]