Qashqarian

Whether you are studying, in business or you’ve got a complicated plan to execute, and you’re having trouble getting your thoughts in order, you should take a look mind mapping software. Mapping the mind - ordering thoughts as a diagram - is an excellent way of organizing your thoughts, forming plans and completing a job and, best of all, there are excellent free tools available to help you.




SimpleDiagrams



SimpleDiagrams is an uncomplicated mind mapper that’s easy to pick up and use. It’s a bit light on features, but if it’s your first run in with a tool of this type, it’s a good place to start.



Freemind



Some would argue the original and best. It’s hugely popular and simple to use, but it’s not the most advanced free mind mapping software out there. Ironically for something that should help you organize, its interface suffers from a lack of organization and clarity.





Cayra



Cayra is open source and very attractive. While totally functional for basic tasks, like organizing personal plans and study, people who want mind maps for business or multi-leveled tasks might want to look elsewhere.



XMind



This is a great tool that is suitable for more complex tasks. It’s perfect for working in groups, as XMind is compatible with other mind mapping tools such as MindManager and FreeMind and, if you sign up for an account, can also be shared online.



Bookvar



Bookvar is another simple app, but don’t let that deceive you. This app stands out for its full multimedia support, making it the perfect app if you want to add video, music or images to your master plan.



CMapTools



What CMapTools lacks in looks, it makes up for in functionality. Any kind of map or diagram is absolutely no problem, and the app makes even the most complicated maps simple to edit and use. It’s perfect for users who are looking for a no-frills, straightforward experience.

File have a nasty habit of getting very messy, very quickly, especially if you are a keen downloader, photographer or music buff. If your folders look like the computer equivalent of a teenage girl’s bedroom, take a look at my guide to keeping your files in top condition.
Get rid of the duplicates - this should definitely be step 1 in any re-organization. Duplicate Cleaner is top of my list - it’s fast, free and has all, if not more, of the features of its pay-for cousins.
Protect sensitive data - if you want to prevent your info from falling into the wrong hands, erase any secret files that you no longer need with Freeraser. Now create safe folders for the files you do want to keep with My LockBox.
Get rid of unnecessary folders - use Suction. This pint-sized app will suck the files out of your folders, so it’s prefect if your folder structure has become messed up over time and you want to start over.
Take care of major renaming - Batch File Rename Utility will help you get your file management back on track. It’s perfect for large collections of photos or music and is really flexible, so you’ll have no problem finding a quick and easily-accessible naming convention for your files.
Move blocked and locked files - they’ll only hinder your spring cleaning, so try using Unlocker Portable to shift them out of the way. If you get too enthusiastic while organizing, Recuva is your best option to recover deleted files.
By now, your files and folders should be model examples. Keep them that way by installing a few apps that will allow you to handle your file management like a pro. Q-Dir is a file explorer that’s a step up from Windows Explorer - it gives you considerably more control over your files, and will even let you color-code them, which I find really helpful.
Last but not least, help yourself find all these beautifully managed folders  Google Desktop is a powerful search utility. It’s as user-friendly as Google’s other products and if you’re still struggling with pre-Vista search, it’s a revelation.