Tag Archives: mind mapping

MindMeister updated

Screenshot of the MindMeister mind map editorImage via Wikipedia

MindMeister, an online mind mapping tool I wrote about a while back, has recently been updated.  Some highlights:

New Features:

  • Links on ideas (URL and email links, links to other maps and nodes)
  • Note and link previews
  • Automatic layouting (no overlaps)
  • Automatic canvas resizing (for large maps)
  • Export as PDF
  • Start new map from idea
  • Changes view date slider
  • Browse public maps (with rating)
  • Zooming in public maps (iframe)
  • Team Edition
  • MindMeister API

Enhancements:

  • Reworked, more organic lines
  • Enhanced printing (choose size)
  • Remove icon via right-click
  • Display only changes since last visit
  • Cut & Paste between maps (not only copy)
  • Link to node (in Copy as Text)
  • Simplified main menu

Steady improvements to MindMeister have really made it a powerful online, collaborative mind mapping tool.

Revisiting PersonalBrain

I’m constantly on the lookout for better, more productive ways to manage information at a personal level (Personal imageKnowledge Management – PKM). One of the more unique PKM tools out there is this product called PersonalBrain, made by TheBrain Technologies. PersonalBrain operates very much like a three dimensional mind mapping tool. I’ve tried PersonalBrain in the past, but never really got the hang of it. TheBrain has just released a new version, which addresses much of the quirkiness of past iterations. Michael Sampson has posted a nice summary of the new features

Jeremy Wagstaff, most notably of the Wall Street Journal, has been writing a lot about PersonalBrain on his weblog. He recently posted an excellent example of how he uses PersonalBrain. I’m still not quite sure how I’d use it, but an upcoming webcast by the folks at TheBrain may help a bit. If you’re interested in checking out this unique knowledge tool, you’ll need to quickly sign up for the July 31st Webex session at TheBrain’s website.

Mindomo: Yet another online Mind Mapping tool (from Europe)

I’m not sure what it is with the Europeans, but they seem to be obsessed with Mind Mapping. I just wrote about MindMeister, an excellent online mind mapping tool that is in private beta at the moment (I’ve still got invites available if you’re interested). Along comes Mindomo to up the ante. Thanks to Nick Duffill, a principal at Gyronix – Mind Mapping and Productivity Consultants – to pointing this one out on his blog.

As Nick points out, this online application is simply stunning for it’s ‘desktop like’ interaction and flexibility. You have the ability to assign task information (due date, start date, task assignment, etc.), associated graphics (both default graphics, and importable ones), and change the layout of the map, just like MindManager.

Similar to nearly all online applications today, Mindomo’s abilities from a collaboration level also shine. Nick’s gone as far as to explain the Wiki-like qualities that collaboration may enable with Mindomo.

Mindomo can import MindManager files just like MindMeister, but just like MindMeister, some formatting features are lost. I’ve just started to play around with Mindomo, but can already tell that this is one heck of an online application.

There is a standard ‘free’ edition, and three other options. This one is definitely worth checking out.

MindMeister beta invitations for anyone who is interested

Last week, I wrote about a great new online mind mapping tool called MindMeister. Well, as it turns out I have 20 beta invitations to hand out. If you are interested, leave a message on this post (remember to put your correct email address in the email address section), and I’ll send out an invitation.

MindMeister takes mind mapping online

Just a couple of days ago I wrote about a new online brainstorming tool called bubbl.us. That application seemed a little too simple and off the standard mind mapping approach to be of much use to many. A commenter left a note about an online mind mapping application that was closer to traditional tools, known as MindMeister. I signed up for access to the private beta, and was approved within a few minutes. The online tool is still in that private beta stage, but I can tell you that it looks spot on when compared to traditional mind mapping tools.

Mind maps generated inside MindMeister are easy to setup and manage. Maneuvering inside MindMeister is similar to FreeMind and MindManager, although keyboard shortcuts aren’t as intuitive (or similar) to either offline application. Dragging nodes around is identical to offline applications. In fact, it’s easy to forget that MindMeister is an online application. There is version control, allowing you to revert back in a fairly granular fashion.

Like nearly all online applications today, one of the core features of MindMeister is to enable collaboration on maps. A map can be shared in a true collaborative environment or as view only. Another powerful feature of MindMeister is the ability to import FreeMind or MindManager files. This feature alone makes MindMeister incredibly useful. In the private beta, text formating, icons, and fancy layouts of maps are lost during the import process, but all text nodes are retained. Exporting, at the moment, is not as evolved as the application only lets you export as a graphic file or as a bulleted text file in RTF format.

MindMeister is in early stage beta, so I’m sure there will be many improvements along the way. The developers are looking to offer a standard and premium version of the tool at some point, as the ‘my account’ page indicates. Most of the premium features of MindMesiter are available in this beta phase. Overall I’ve been very impressed with the way it handles and feels, and can’t wait to see this application evolve into a full blown mind mapping tool.

bubbl.us: A light, freeform brainstorming tool

The guys over at Download Squad just pointed us to a new ‘mind mapping type’ online tool called bubbl.us. I’ve been searching for an online mindmapping application, and to be frank, bubbl.us falls far short of the mark for any serious mind mapping. Like most online applications nowadays, bubbl.us incorporates the expected collaborative capabilities. The application still has the look of being in the early stages of development, so it may evolve into something more meaningful from a mind mapping perspective. In the meantime, I’ll continue to rely on FreeMind for my personal mind mapping needs. Hopefully we’ll see an online mind mapping tool emerge soon.