Axon Idea Processor

The Axon Idea Processor is a commercial Windows-based program that helps users visualize and process interrelated thoughts and ideas.

Development

Axon Idea Processor was written in Visual Prolog by Mr. Chan Bok from Singapore as a tool for computer-assisted thinking and problem solving. Mr. Bok is a life member of the [http://sunsite.nus.edu.sg/ORSS/ Operational Research Society of Singapore] .

Availability

The Idea Processor may be purchased from the project website (noted in References). A reduced-functionality free demonstration version is available.

Applications

The processor is used for organizing ideas, brainstorming, concept mapping, mind mapping, analysis, flowcharting, and creative writing. A highly heuristic multi-level user workspace is manipulated using a wide array of linguistic, analytical, graphical and compostional idea generation tools. As a sketchpad for visualizing and organizing ideas, the Idea Processor exploits visual attributes such as color, shape, size, scale, position, depth, shadow, links, and icons. Visual cues help the user to facilitate recall, association, and discovery. Diagrams assist modeling and solving complex problems. Visualization tools reinforce short term memory and stimulate creativity.

Pre-defined templates as well as models provided by collaborative users have been developed for a wide variety of pre-defined creative, analytic or problem-solving graphical formats, such as:
* hierarchical
* flow-chart
* critical-path
* logical
* data-flow
* associational
* contextual
* pathway

References and Sources

An example use of the program is for Paul Schroeder's Ph.D. thesis [http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~schroedr/ "Spatial Aspects of Metaphors for Information: Implications for Polycentric System Design"] .

Other applications of the Idea Processor include:
* RMIT University [http://aps.eu.rmit.edu.au/lsu/resources/links/think.html "Learning Skills Unit"] , Melbourne, Australia;
* University of Maryland, College Park [http://www.cs.umd.edu/class/fall2002/cmsc838s/ "Seminar in Advanced Usability: Creativity Support Tools"] in 2002; and
* the University of West Florida's Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, developing for NASA: [http://www.devplan.com/pvmm/cloud/conceptmaps.htm Sample concept map, "The Cloud of Knowing"]

External links

* [http://web.singnet.com.sg/~axon2000/ Chan Bok's Axon Idea Processor site]

Article Date

*September 16, 2004