Do you use Mind Mapping Software?
What mind mapping software do you like, pros/cons?
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Feb 10, 2013
I use MindNode Pro on my iPhone and Macbook. It helps me setup structures for solving new problems and isolating issues that have become cluttered in my mind. The diagrams developed on my iPhone update to my Macbook and vice versa.
The biggest value for me is that it allows me to create new approaches very fast.
Feb 12, 2013
Joseph, MindNode would be great but my client has a PC and has a Blackberry, so no go.
Feb 10, 2013
I looked into mind mapping software about two years ago- seems like there are some improvements in the industry. While I am a visual person, i prefer to sketch out and storyboard my ideas with pen/pencil. Having a designer background, it just works for me. But I may check out some of the suggestions in the other answers.
Feb 13, 2013
You are a man after my own heart, Benjamin. It may be an archaic approach but works beautifully granting an accelerated edge over the digital packages. Kudos.
Feb 12, 2013
I have been using Mindjet Individual for the last few months ($16.50/month). Easy to use in general, and has lots of nice maps and other visual options. I am running it on a Mac, and I've noticed a few quirks - zoom in/out keyboard shortcuts don't seem to work on a Mac, and sometimes the subtopic creates a 'phantom' link and I have to delete and re-add the subtopic. I am trying to share it with a client who is on an older version of OSX, which is evidently incompatible with MindJet.
Feb 12, 2013
Thank you Brian. It looks great, but my client just wants to buy the software ONCE, does not want to pay monthly.
Feb 12, 2013
Hi Salma, I think they have annual subscription plans as well. I am doing the monthly as an 'extended' (paid) trial, as I have not decided yet if MindJEt is the long term solution for my business.
Feb 8, 2013
No, but have experienced the concept and worked with some of the early developers of and contributors to the concept.
Pros: Organized thinking, a visual representation of how pieces fit together.
Cons: Can become unwieldy, gnarly and unreadable with defeats the purpose of organized thinking.
I don't particular care for them, but have seen huge value in them when used correctly. Correct usage is simply keeping the process simple. I'd rather see many small ones that illustrate a concept, than one so packed with data as to render it unreadable. No one is helped by that.
What I use is a simple 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper with a pencil to sketch a concept. Works for me, but I don't recommend it. It is really a preference.
Hope this helps.
Feb 9, 2013
Yep... very usefull with new concepts... Try this: http://cmap.ihmc.us/. I'm waiting for the iOS versión.
Feb 12, 2013
I use MindMeister which integrates seemlessly with Google Drive allowing you to store your mind maps on Drive. Works on a PC and also has mobile apps so you can access your mind maps with almost any device. It's monthly though.
If you need a one-time payment, you may want to check XMind. They offer both single-license and subscription options. I personally haven't use XMind.
While a one-time payment to purchase the software outright does eliminate the monthly fees, subscriptions typically provide continuous upgrades and ongoing customer support. Companies usually drop support and upgrades of non-subscription software after a few years. Just something to consider when deciding between one-time payment and subscription options.
Feb 12, 2013
Thank you Gareth, I have MindMeister on my Android phone and need to play with it. I will also check XMind. I will keep your two cents on one-time payments vs. monthly plans in mind when I pass along my findings to my client.
Feb 12, 2013
You might want to have a look at Freeplane a better version of Freemind.
You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeplane
And download it here:
http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
I do not have enough time to include the pros/cons. However, it works good. Try it. It is great and completely FREE!
Thanks
Feb 12, 2013
Hi Salma check out an early episode of our web-tv show on mind mapping. We rated iMindMap by Tony Buzan. Goo luck in your search and all the best. Taner
Episode: http://smebiz.tv/episode-1-getting-your-business-idea-off-the-ground-a-4-part-series/
Feb 12, 2013
I've used SmartDraw for years. Mindmapping helps me easily and quickly do a mind dump, and then organize my thoughts. SmartDraw makes it easy to export your maps to Word and PowerPoint. I plan my presentations in SmartDraw and then export them to PPT. It is easier to make the charts look good, and there are lots of templates and images that come free with the program. You can use it for project management, and share with others on the team to keep it up to date. It has a lot of features, including linking to other documents on the web and on your computer. www.SmartDraw.com.
Feb 13, 2013
I've used Personal Brain (www.thebrain.com) off and on for over 10 years. I've tried a number of different products including MindJet's Mind Manager, but I keep on coming back to Personal Brain. When you first start using the software, the user interface is very simple, but there is a lot of capability under the hood. Starting to use the software is easy, once you get your head around the concepts of the software. Learning to use all the features has a bit of a learning curve. I use it as my central organizing tool to keep track of concepts, relationships, related files and such. They have both a PC version, a Mac version and a Web based version, all of which talk to one another... pretty cool stuff.
b
Feb 10, 2013
I have not as yet but have done extensive research and if/when the need arises I find there are some free packages available and FreeMind seems to be the one I would use
Feb 12, 2013
I use mind maps extensively to plan out video productions. You can get free software from Freeplane. BUT, mind maps that assume one central hub with spokes radiating out are a poor substitute for a multi-hierarchical tree KnowledgeBase where you might want for example to inventory an organization's offices, products, competitors, legislation etc. and do searches across the entire space. Important to pick the right tool based on what you want to do.
Feb 12, 2013
Yes true Karl, I am researching for a client, so what we use for mind mapping now, might change on his needs. I will keep your comment in mind, thank you.
Feb 12, 2013
I use MindGenius Business 4. In addition to the standard mind mapping capabilities, it has additional views and functions to provide support for project management and task/resource management.
Feb 12, 2013
Most of the software is available by paying once. You might like to look at Xmind too. It is free as long as you don't want to use 'professional' features. Mindjet is the big daddy I guess and is very professional at a professional price.
Hope this helps
Steve
Feb 12, 2013
Salma - I do use Mindjet as mind mapping software and I found this very helpful during team/brainstorming or even self branstorming to collate ideas.
Feb 12, 2013
Thank you Sharad, I will check out Mindjet with the other suggestions.
Feb 12, 2013
I use Inspiration. Used it for years and love it for idea creating. It is a little clunky when it comes to exporting your diagrams to other tools. I think this is because it was developed for the Mac environment and ported to PC. I use a PC, so this may be a limitation of the technology.
- Dino
Feb 12, 2013
I like using XMind, which is free mindmapping software with a few templates to make it easier to start. You can also try FreeMind.
Feb 12, 2013
I use www.mindmeister.com. It is in the cloud, i can collaborate and i can go to any status in the past.
Feb 15, 2013
My favorite mind mapping tool is Lucidchart. It is web based and integrates with google drive so you can access your work anywhere.
I don't have a lot of experience with it, but I know MindNode is pretty popular for this stuff.