Abstract: A computer-based method and system is described for representing, storing, analyzing, processing, and communicating conceptual and physical entities. On a computer display screen, means are presented for users to create a palette of elements to define and describe entities and matters of interest to them. With a palette that they create, or with a previously defined palette, users create computer-based maps containing specific instances, called items, of one or more elements in the palette. Users can link items with line segments, arrows, or other connectors to show the relationships between them. Data, visual, and other attributes may also be defined for the links between items, the maps on which the items and links are defined, and case folders which index the maps and other associated computer-based documents and objects.