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Lovely Charts is a free web-based tool for creating flow charts, site maps, network diagrams, and other visualizations with a drag-and-drop interface and a look somewhat upscale from black-line boxes and polygonal boxes.

You'll be zipping through charts after a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the layout of the tools—I made the basic network diagram above within the first minute I was on the site. You can customize nearly everything: icon size, labels, the size and shape of the connections between the icons, and so on. One feature that's missing, but in the works, is the ability to upload your own icons and artwork. Good thing, too, since my network map won't be complete until I can add a little Xbox icon.

You can export your charts as JPEG or PNG files at the size you specify. Lovely Charts has free and professional accounts, the primary difference between the two being that free accounts are restricted to saving a single chart. You can create and export as many charts as you want, but are restricted to saving one chart for future editing. If you need the ability to edit and save multiple charts but would like to avoid paying for a service, take a look at previously reviewed open-source application Dia.