WikiMindMap produces a mindmap based on a search of Wikipedia

This is a great start for research and is especially useful for those visual learners - each level links or expands to provide more information

many thanks to Thunder

MindMeister supports all the standard features of a classic mind mapping tool - only online, and with as many simultaneous users as you like!

All online and free - just register 

 

http://www.12manage.com/images/picture_mind_mapping_process.jpg
thanks to edu.blogs
 

Want a quick way to jot down linked ideas - make an online brainstorm or mindmap.  The take a look at bubbl.us

The concept is pretty basic: you write your thoughts in bubbles, which you can then connect to other bubbles, eventually creating as complex (or not) diagram as you could possibly want. It's a great way to quickly jot down and map your ideas; and you can create as many of these as you want.

 

http://www.vusoft2.nl/mindmap.jpg

Also consider thinkature 

t's free and easy to use - via Lifehacker

mind map.jpg

I have been looking for free mindmapping software for a while now, and this looks like a good solution

Freemind 0.8.0 is the most recent version and will occupy about 8Mb to download so a broadband connection will be useful.

I have had a quick play and it all seems pretty simple

Quick tips

Pressing enter adds a new node. pressing delete gets rid of it, right click edits, so all pretty easy so far

Download it here