Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Creative Thinker software. There are also extensive Help Files within the software. If you do not see the answer to your question please email it to us and we will be happy to help you.

Email: support@idonresources.com

Questions About the Technical Process

Questions About the Creative Process

About the Technical Process

What are the System Requirements?

Runs on most Windows platforms including: Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 & XP
Requires: 14MB hard disk space, 32MB of RAM

Will the Creative Thinker run on my Apple Mac?

No, the software runs on Windows only. You can, however, use a PC Emulator on your Apple Mac.

How do I install the Creative Thinker?

If you have the CD version then simply insert the disc into your CD drive. The software installation will then automatically begin. Follow the simple on-screen instructions.

For the Download version, the installation should automatically proceed. If not, click on Setup from the downloaded files and the installation will begin. Again, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

Why am I asked for a Printer Driver during installation?

For the installation to complete, you must have a Printer Driver installed on your computer. This is to check parameters for printing output. Any Printer Driver will do and can be downloaded from the Internet if you do not have a CD. A printer itself need not be physically connected.

Will I require lots of software or technical expertise to use the Creative Thinker?

No. The Creative Thinker software is intuitive and easy to use. Drawing and using text are kept simple, so as not to interfere with your thinking process. It is even used by young children in schools.

How do I get started with the Creative Thinker?

There are Quick Guides contained within the software, which will rapidly set you up to start modelling your ideas. For example, the Hexagon Modelling Tutorial will step you through everything you need to become familiar with the essential functions of the software while introducing a thinking method that will deliver you a result.

Is there a Print Preview function?

No, it is not required. The software prints out what is onscreen in front of you i.e. the default for printing is the Current View.

TIP: select landscape before printing.

What is a Text Report?

A Text Report is a version of your Hexagon model in “text” only form i.e. a linear representation rather than graphic. All Notes attached to Hexagons will also be displayed. Extremely useful for exporting to your word processor.

How do I generate a Text Report?

Select File from the drop down Menu from the top of your Toolbars and click on Text Report. By default, text will then be displayed from the first Hexagon or Cluster in the top left of your screen (topmost, leftmost) and works down to the bottom right. There is also an option to select sequentially by number, should that be required.

Why does each Hexagon have a number at the top?

Each object, or idon, created is assigned a sequential number automatically. It is useful for a number of reasons:

• You may wish to have an order to your ideas other than position;
• It is useful to identify certain ideas quickly during discussion e.g. ‘try putting number 9 with 28 and 14’;
• Where there are many hexagons onscreen, and you zoom out, the Hexagons will revert to a number (for ease of identification) when the text becomes too small to read.

Can I turn off the Bee Cursor?

Yes. Most find the Bee Cursor appropriate, unique and a little charming. If you find it in any way distracting to your thinking processes then you can easily opt for a standard cursor pointer. Select Edit from the drop down Menu and click on Options. De-select the box beside Bee Cursors, then click Apply and OK.

Why not just use a graphics software/package to draw Hexagons?

You can, but it will be laborious. The Creative Thinker is uniquely designed to specifically support the act of thinking and modelling ideas in real time. Graphic software places greater emphasis on presentation design features and is therefore too cumbersome and slow to capture thinking as it takes place.

I have mastered the Creative Thinker and would like additional knowledge management and thinking facilities. Is there an Upgrade?

Yes. It is called Idons-For-Thinking Version 2 Professional. For many years dedicated visual thinkers, entrepreneurs and corporations have primarily taken up this software due to its advanced creative thinking and knowledge management features.

Having evolved over the years this deluxe software now contains knowledge management features with the ability to store and easily retrieve a large number of ideas. Further modelling methods and corresponding idon shapes and templates are available such as scenario planning, dilemma modeling and concept mapping. There are also many enhanced graphics and text capabilities.

As an interactive knowledge exchange the Idons-For-Thinking software is fully compatible with the Creative Thinker which can act as a satellite software to receive or gather ideas from colleagues - exchanging and accessing knowledge.

Costs from $1097.00 / £600.00 / €898.00 per licence.

For further details see Software under www.idonresources.com

About the Creative Process

What is an Idon?

An idon is the basic building block of the creative thinking process. Ideas are formulated and summarised into an icon to produce an idon - derived from the combination of the words ‘idea’ and ‘icon’. So any idea written in a Hexagon (or any other shape), Cluster or on a connecting Arrow is an “idon”. Idons are grouped in patterns to categorise knowledge, depict a process or tell a story.

How can I find out more about Hexagon Modelling?

You can supplement knowledge provided in this software with our published book, ‘Thinking with Hexagons’. This book explains why Hexagon Modelling is such a useful tool and how you can apply it. You will discover additional practical thinking processes, how to facilitate groups and a guide to advancing your thinking capability through color coding your ideas. Click here for further information.

I already think, why do I need the Creative Thinker software?

Current research shows that we are using less than 2% of our brain capacity – so our thinking skills can always be improved - and a little improvement can go a long way!

Most of us received very little mention of developing such crucial skills in our education. Results from the work of Edward de Bono (Lateral Thinking), Howard Gardner (Multiple Intelligences) and Tony Buzan (Mind Mapping) have done much to redress the balance. Now you can use the practical Creative Thinker software as a mental gymnasium where we can exercise our minds and grow our capabilities, at any age. Enjoyable and better thinking will improve all aspects of our life and success.

How does the Creative Thinker help increase creativity and mental agility?

Research has shown that a significant way to improve our mental capability is to deliberately exercise the simultaneous use of the left and right sides of our brain - combining science with the arts. By doing this we significantly improve both our creative and logical capabilities - holistic, sequential, lateral and imaginative thinking. The Creative Thinker works by this principle.

Can the Creative Thinker help me become more organised?

We are surrounded by information overload. The fact is we can only think of a maximum of seven things at once – and most of us a lot less – so it is useful to represent our thoughts in a very visible and flexible way. Although ideas can be written on paper they tend to be fixed and linear. It is altogether more effective to represent information and ideas on Hexagons where they can then be moved around to form patterns of meaning and make new connections. Representing information in this way, we can more easily observe the overview or the detail as required. Once we have relieved ourselves of the burden of memory we are actually freer to play with ideas more effectively.

What is the significance of Color Coding?

Use color to tint ideas e.g. try using “red” to color any priorities, important issues or emotive ideas. This helps to indicate different modes of thinking e.g. “blue” for overview thinking, “green” for creative ideas etc.

Color palletes are at the bottom of your screen. Place the cursor over the chosen color to remind yourself of the suggested Idon color code. Yellow is the default color of Hexagons and for opportunistic thinking.

TIP: Use darker colors for Text, the lighter colors for Hexagons.

How will the Creative Thinker software help me think laterally or ‘outside the box’?

The software has built-in features that provoke creative thinking. For example, where an exercise encourages you to consider all relevant factors around an issue, or problem, you can use random provocation from a database of ‘Oblique Thoughts’. The Oblique Thoughts feature is designed to provoke fresh thinking e.g. how does this new idea affect the current pattern of thinking? This encourages us to look at the issue at hand in a way we might not have originally considered. Simple, but very profound!

In addition to features in the software, Hexagon methods encourage us to pattern, reflect and modify our thinking as deeper insight emerges. In other words, the act of restructuring our thought patterns gives rise to thinking in unexpected ways.

How will the Creative Thinker help me write better essays or reports?

Before writing, it is useful to have a plan. When preparing an essay or report, there are often many ideas which must be addressed - the Creative Thinker allows you to handle these ideas and help arrange them in a more coherent form that makes the task at hand more approachable. Use the Creative Thinker to create a Hexagon model to help outline your proposed plan. This outline will be flexible and can be reviewed or changed at anytime as fresh insight emerges. It is also useful that all notes and links contained in a Hexagon or idon will move with the Hexagon, so you never lose track.

TIP: Use the Text Report feature to export to your word processor.

Will the Creative Thinker help me study more effectively?

Yes. The Creative Thinker encourages you to fully engage and interact with the subject of study. Memory and understanding are greatly increased by creating a mental map of how the component parts of the subject fit together. Concepts are mapped, ideas easily connected and immediately to hand. Subjects or topics can all be visually enhanced with color for deeper understanding.

Do I need the Hexagons on whiteboards with the Creative Thinker software?

No. The Creative Thinker software is a stand-alone thinking tool in is own right. It can, however, be used additionally with a whiteboard and magnetic Hexagons to capture and annotate group or team thinking – for a permanent record, feedback and printouts.

Where can I find the Magnetic Hexagons on whiteboards?

We also supply these thinking tools, which are so ideal for facilitated meetings. Please see our web site www.idonresources.com for further details.