The latest update on mind.mapping.org brings a new entry, Hortus, and a significant change to XMind.

Hortus

After my previous post about a nascent mind mapper for Second Life, there’s another Second Life story.  It is Hortus, part of the ICTS immersive training suite.  It is a graphical story planner.

XMind

A few days ago, XMind went to an open source model.  So XMind can be used on your own desktop, free.  They also have a web-based server and you can upload your mind maps for all to see.  If you would like to control who sees your mind maps, you can subscribe to a ‘Pro’ version at US$6/month that allows this.

There’s an on-line example here:

Regards

Vic

http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I’ve been writing about the future of mindmapping recently, and decided I’d better mention updates to the Master List of mind mapping software.  Three new packages have appeared recently, all of them free, and their records are now in the mind-mapping.org database. 

CoFFEE

CoFFEE has concept mapping as a minor capability in its function as a groupware application for digital discussions in live classrooms.

Hypergraph

Hypergraph specialises in making hyperbolic maps and is already a capable and interesting piece of open source software.

js-mindmap

js-mindmap is in the very early stages of development.  It aimes to take a sitemap or similar in HTML and produce a mind map from it using Javascript.  Could be useful in jazzing up dull lists of links.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Update Nov 20th 2008:  This was published in error on Nov 9th as a page instead of as a post.

Jeff Lowe of the ThinkBalm Innovation community posted recently about on-line brainstorming session using a 3D mind mapper that he had developed.  Naturally, I wrote off to find out about it and he quickly gave me a couple of links.

These are early times - I can’t even point to the site for the software itself, so it doesn’t earn a place in the mind-mapping.org database yet, but it’s newsworthy and something to watch out for.  There are not many 3D mind mappers out there, just Conspicio, MindScene, Morsego, Nelements and Topicscape (the last of which I use daily).

This so-far-unamed software operates in Second Life.   Here’s what it looks like:

Being in Second Life, it looks as if this could shape up to be the first collaborative 3D mind mapper. 

Regards

Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I thought a review of comments and communications would be good at this half-way point of the competition, after I followed the suggestion to extend it.

The response is encouraging and some good ideas are coming out.  This is how the suggestions have built up so far, most recent first:

Chance Brown has posted a comment about his map setting out the advantages and nature of mind mapping called “How Mindmapping Can Help You.”  If potential mind map users don’t see what’s in it for them, they won’t try mind mapping, so this map is important.  Can you add to it, dear reader?

Paul Foreman emailed me another entry called “EG” for “Exponential Growth“.  This aims directly at ideas for expanding the numbers of people who know about mindmapping - a key need.  Please look at this in detail and see if it sparks further ideas.

Matthew Lang wrote that mind mappers with their own sites and blogs should work together to get the word out, contribute their favourite mind map to an e-book, with a description and their thoughts about benefits.  This would be highlighted on each contributor’s web site and be promoted in all our emails and other forms of communication like Twitter, Pownce and other social networking sites. A very simple website should be setup where people can read about mind mapping and download the e-book.  I believe this is a good idea because it is very do-able.  Would it work for you?  Comments please!

@mdalves saw a picture of Dr. Gregory House writing linear notes on a flip-chart and thought “this is the answer to Vic’s question!”  Send a direct message to the general public, he says.  “What about Dr. Gregory House mind-mapping their brainstorms instead of writing boring lines of text? People would talk, ask about it, discuss in the forum, imitate him and start mind mapping on their own.”  Whilst this would not be easy to put into practice, if we could achieve it, it would have the greatest leverage and effect I believe.  Any ideas on how we might get the message over to a TV producer, and how we could motivate them?

John Taylor emailed this mind map with the modest comment “My small attempt.”  John proposes tighter integration between mind mapping and other types of software; mind mappers openly using the technique and describing its benefits as a matter of routine; thought leaders in the field making a collective effort; and an analysis of barriers to expansion with a response.

Oprah has written about mindmapping, and apparently Al Gore does it.  Any leverage there folks??

Vic

I’ve had off-line suggestions that the objective of the “expand mind mapping” competition is so great that a month is not much time to pull it all together.  We’ve had some good ideas already, which may set us on the right track, but I haven’t seen what I feel is that “killer idea” yet.

I’m more interested in getting a result than closing off the competition, so I hope those who have already submitted ideas won’t mind, but I am now extending the deadline to 3rd December.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

A few days ago, I blogged about my competition for suggestions to expand the population of mind mappers exponentially.  It’s time to give my thoughts, though I’m not an entrant in the competition.

We have to ‘normalize’ mind mapping; make it seem like something that people do as a matter of course.

When Tom Cruise controlled a computer screen by waving his hands in front of a computer-generated image in Minority Report it made a strong impact.  Many people remember that.  There was no such technology at the time, but with the iPhone, iPod Touch and MS Surface, the capability is coming closer.  I’ve seen news very recently of a working gesture-in-the-air interface though the display is not the floating-in-air style to match.  That movie scene changed how people thought about interacting with a computer.  But I mention that, not because I think we need spectacular technology, but because it stuck in the mind and has really changed things.

mdalves, in a comment on my original post wrote “What about Dr. Gregory House mind-mapping their brainstorms instead of writing boring lines of text?”.  This is an example of the approach that may give a way forward, in my view.  The TV program makers have to see something in it for them though - something to attract viewers’ attention, make them remember their show and watch again next week.  But first we would have to get the message out to them.  Ideas for that welcome!

The leverage will come from mind mapping being seen as a part of popular culture.  Oprah (well, the O magazine) had something about this, I saw here. 

Mindmap analyses of the Presidential Candidate debates may have some effect.  I wish I knew how many people watch at those.  Not mind mappers, people who have never seen mind mapping before.  What did they make of it?  Did you watch any of these?

Having mindmapping and concept mapping in an educational setting seems good at first sight.  It can’t do any harm, because we would expect students to appreciate it (if it fits their thinking style) and go on to use it in the adult world.  But that that’s where mind mapping (and concept mapping) were first introduced more than 30 years ago and it hasn’t proved to be enough.  Some students don’t like it, but are forced to hand in concept maps or mind maps as homework.  Others think it’s OK but see it as something to be left behind when they leave school or college.  Some take it on into adult life and never stop.

Let’s have your ideas - comment here, or on the original post, both count towards the competition for that free iMindMap Ultimate license. 

Regards
Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Chuck Frey, over at his blog, asks what future mind mapping software should look look like.  He predicts that:
- Connectivity with Web 2.0 applications will play a growing role
- Connectivity with corporate data sources will be essential
- A more unified approach to searching and displaying rich content within a mind map is inevitable
- Mind mapping software will increasingly enable users to manage their attention more productively, acting as a “digital assistant” to help them zero in on the most important information faster

What do you think?  Visit his blog and speak up.

Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I have a free license for Buzan’s iMindmap to give away for the best answer to a competition.  This is it:

Many, many people have never heard of mind mapping.  Others have heard of it but have no idea what it is or how it might help them.

Write a comment to this post (and/or send a mind map!) suggesting how to achieve exponential growth in the numbers of people doing mind mapping.  This needs an idea that will motivate committed visual information mappers and at the same time can leverage the whole mind mapping community to get the word out, explain, demonstrate, tell stories, show all different styles of maps, all uses. 

I shall judge the winning suggestion (my decision will be final!) and pass (only) the winner’s name and email address to Buzan Online so that they can deliver the license.  Judgement will be based on originality, practicality and opportunities to obtain best leverage of existing mappers’ contacts.  If you decide to send a mind map to illustrate your ideas or thinking, please send a png or jpg image to vic [at] mind-mapping [dot] org.  I will arrange for it to be embedded in comments (max width 590 pixels).

This competition will run from 4th October to 3rd November inclusive.

Regards
Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

PS  You probably know that some people know about mind mapping or other visual information mapping techniques and do not like them, and will not use them because they have their own thinking style.  They find that visual representation gets in the way and they don’t need introducing to it.  I’m sure we all respect that and got over it long ago. 

These are not the people this competition aims to find ways to reach out to.   VG

In the big-screen world of computers there is a seemingly endless supply of developers keen to give us mind mapping software.  Are we going to see a repeat on the iPhone and iPod Touch?

A few days ago there was MindMaker (US$5) - the first contender.  It has some way to go, but does show promise and they have a roadmap.  Its most obvious limitation is that it does not provide a landscape view when the device (mine’s an iPod Touch) is rotated. 

Now there’s iBlueSky (US$8) - to my eye a more stylish entrant, and one that already offers portrait mode. 

Not quite mind mapping software, but capable of making hand-drawn maps is Zeptopad (US$10).  They even choose a hand made mind map as their screenshot illustration (but I don’t think it would come very high in the hand made mind maps survey that the Mindmaps Directory people have going on):

And there I was thinking I’d have a quiet week…. 

Regards
Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

My focus at mind-mapping.org is on software-made mind maps - well obviously, I do claim this as “the master list of mind mapping and information management software”, after all.  But in the past, I have pointed readers of this blog at a couple of resources for attractive hand made maps. 

Now, here’s some more: A collection of hand made mind maps the Topicscape people have at their blog.  Called “The Great Hand-drawn Mind Mappers Face-off” they have five makers of hand drawn maps in one post, and a survey to find your favourite.  To see the enjoyable work of these rather special mind map makers, please go to this link:
http://www.topicscape.com/blog/2008/09/22/the-great-hand-drawn-mind-mappers-face-off/. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Cheers
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Over at LifeHack, Joel Falconer is spreading the good word with a list of 11 free mind mapping programs - a mixture of desktop and web-based ones.

Mind-mapping.org shows ‘em all, I think, but you have to check for those showing Free in the price box so it’s useful to have Joel’s list.  Maybe I’ll add a “list free ones” function to the site one day. 

Meanwhile here’s the skinny on all the web based mind mappers (15 of them) and outliners (3) showing what’s free and how much the subscriptions are for the others.

Cheers
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

On Mind-mapping.org this week there are four new entries in the master list - three graphical and one a related development platform.

bCisive

bCisive is software for business decision making and diagramming.  It supports building and communicating business cases as well as documenting the reasoning behind decisions.

GenIE & SMILE

GeNIe is a user-friendly development environment for graphical decision-theoretic models. It is the Windows user interface to SMILE, which is a portable library of C++ classes implementing the models.

Outliner 2.0

Outliner is an outliner for mobile phones and PDAs.  It lets you create your outlines with desktop software and import them.

Vic

http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I’ve written before about how Mastering mind mapping can help at work  especially as recession looms. Well now, Chuck Frey has interviewed Jamie Nast on a closely-related topic.  Chuck has entitled the piece “Learn to think visually - or else”.

Jamie says “To this day the majority of people have not heard of mind mapping or idea mapping”.  This is amazing, but true, and it’s what motivates me most in maintaining Mind-mapping.org as a directory of information mapping software, repository of articles, and a go-to place for information about visual thinking.  And I regularly comment on blogs all over the web to get the message out about different ways of seeing and presenting ideas, plans, creativity and information.

We’ve heard Buzan say that mind maping has gone mainstream, but sadly, it really hasn’t yet, though it is increasingly popping up in unexpected corporate environments. Two of the people responsible for that are Nast and Frey!

Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

For too long now we have had many statements about the origins of visual mapping but there are too few examples, to my way of thinking.

I’ve just written about early visual thinking maps and included a couple of cases.

If any can add to the list by providing other early examples, I’d love to have the chance to display them (with acknowledgement and link back) in this newly-begun collection.  Please email me: vic [at] mind-mapping [dot] org.  Idea Sunbursting is a particular case I’d like to carry an example of

Vic

For too long now we have had many statements about the origins of visual mapping but there are too few examples, to my way of thinking.

I’ve just written about early visual thinking maps and included a couple of cases.

If any can add to the list by providing other early examples, I’d love to have the chance to display them (with acknowledgement and link back) in this newly-begun collection.  Please email me: vic [at] mind-mapping [dot] org.  Idea Sunbursting is a particular case I’d like to carry an example of.

Vic

 [Update, 27th Aug: linked fixed, thanks to Matthew of Banxia.]

One of my informants, the ever-helpful Sue, has pointed out to me that Giveaway of the day has a free download and license for EDraw MAX but there’s a mere five hour timeslot left to get this.

Sue also provided this information: “FYI — Registration is a little tricky. Open the ReadMe file. Copy the name and number, then paste them into the spaces… oh? Where are the spaces? After installing the program, when it launches for the first time: Click on help; click on BUY/register; paste in the name and number from the ReadMe file; click activate & all should be well. That registers this as a purchase; otherwise it remains a trial version that will expire.”

Thanks a bunch Sue.

Now get over there and grab it the rest of you!

Vic Gee

http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

One of my informants, the ever-helpful Sue, has pointed out to me that Giveaway of the day has a free download and license for EDraw MAX but there’s a mere five hour timeslot left to get this.

Sue also provided this information: “FYI — Registration is a little tricky. Open the ReadMe file. Copy the name and number, then paste them into the spaces… oh? Where are the spaces? After installing the program, when it launches for the first time: Click on help; click on BUY/register; paste in the name and number from the ReadMe file; click activate & all should be well. That registers this as a purchase; otherwise it remains a trial version that will expire.”

Thanks a bunch Sue.

Now get over there and grab it the rest of you!

Vic Gee

http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I decided I’d add some of my knowledge of mind
mapping to Google’s Knol, their competitor to
Wikipedia.  That’s just a snippet over on the right.

I’ve tried to keep this a neutral definition, and I’d
welcome comments.

Vic Gee

Oh yeah, and I’m working on one about concept maps,
but it still needs some examples.

Up to now, I would have said that uses of mind maps could fit under four main categories: Learning and teaching; creative idea generation and brainstorming; planning and managing tasks or projects; and organising  information.  Always in these, we would expect the items under a branch to be logically related to concepts or topics higher in the hierarchy.

But now, I’ve seen signs in two places of another direction.  Not an attempt to replace the others, but something refreshingly new in mind maps (to me anyway): Free association.

Mikky J has a poem and mind map combined called “Frozen” where he free associates his way down each branch.  Mikky asks people not to copy it, so please follow the link above to see it.

And Paul Foreman, who has appeared in the mind-mapping.org blog before, has a “flip it” mind map where, to fight off negative thinking, he suggests we reverse words, and look for free associations that reverse the starting point to become a positive thought.

My favourite branch is the one for “bored”.  Paul allows copying if there’s a link back as well, so you can take a look by clicking on the thumbnail here or the link above:

Always good to see creative new ways of using mind maps.

Vic

(With apologies to the person whose famous epitaph I paraphrased in the title.)

My hosting company rolled out a fix in the underlying PHP software that runs most of mind-mapping.org on July 22nd.The fact that this had broken the site was brought to my attention by a helpful user (thanks Sue), saying “Oh, no! I just posted a link to you.  Have you gone for good?”

Well, fortunately not.  It took a bit of communication with the host-company support staff to find out what had happened (and get an apology) but now the hiccups are over and it’s back.  A case of one bug hiding another apparently.

Vic Gee

http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

New on mind-mapping.org this week, there are even more new, browser-based mind-mapping apps, and some bits and pieces of news about other events.

Ekpenso

Ekpenso is a new, web-based mind mapping application in the first stages of development, but they are offering off-line use with Google Gears from the get go.

Footnote: According to their web site, “Ekpenso” is Esperanto for idea or thought.  Not a lot of people know that…

Mindjet Connect

Given MindManager’s reach — almost certainly greater than any other commercial mind map software — the most important announcement recently must be the web server application launched by Mindjet.  This works with MindManager to support collaborative use of mind maps. 

I’ve got a couple of questions in at MindJet about the clients it works with and pricing anomalies.  Will fill in on these later.

Second footnote: OK, all you FreeMind folks, I know you almost certainly have way more downloads than any other mind map software, but I carefully wrote “commercial mind map software”, OK?)

Mind42 no longer Beta

Mind42 has come out of Beta.  It is still free, but they say they’re working on a ‘pro’ version.

Wisdomap

A new web-based mind map application from the UK, this one focuses on associated clips, images and other and multimedia related to a mind map but separated from the map itself to reduce confusion.

More about Chuck Frey’s re-organization of his blog

After his move, Chuck has gathered all his valuable reports and research in one place here: http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/research-reports/ 

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Here’s a quick update after my recent post - I found an on-line mapper showing the relationships between words, called Visuwords.

This has similarities to VisualThesaurus but it goes a stage further because it seeks to show the relationships between words using colour and shape-coded connecting lines.  So what you get is a type of concept map.  The part-of-speech of each word is colour-coded as well.  You can’t build your own maps with it, but put in a word and you’ll see it build the relationships in front of your eyes.

A bonus: Unlike many of these on-line applications, it has an option to take advantage of a large screen.

Vic
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

New on mind-mapping.org this week are three map-related tools: C-TOOLS, CharTr and Mind2Chart.  And two that have been updated are VUE and MindVisualizer.

C-TOOLS

C-TOOLS is a server / web based combination for making concept maps in an educational environment.  It even has an automated mark-students’-work-as-you-go capability.

CharTr

It’s early in the life of this project but it is making progress.

Mind2Chart

Not a mind mapping product, but an add-on for MindJet’s MindManager that can produce Gantt charts from a mind map with project management data included.

MindVisualizer

MindVisualizer has been upgraded with multi-centred mind maps, and the association descriptions needed for proper concept maps.  Well worth a look.

VUE

 I have been hoping for screenshots from VUE and now I’ve found some on the site.  VUE recently became VUE 2.0, by the way.  Aimed at education, this has intereting possibilities for presentations.

That’s it for this week.

Vic

First it was Paul, now it’s Chuck.  Chuck Frey, author of one of the leading mind mapping blogs has moved to a new address: http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com

Well, I’m off to change his entry in on my list of the canonical mind map sites, mindmapsearch.org as well. 

Is this the start of a trend?  Where shall I go then? (No rude answers please!)

 Vic

No, it’s not me that’s moving.  Nor this blog. 

I just heard from that exciting producer and publisher of hand-drawn mindmaps, Paul Foreman, that his site has moved to http://www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk 

Although his site is not mentioned in mind-mapping.org because that focuses on articles and mind mapping software, it has a well-deserved place on my list of canonical mind map sites, mindmapsearch.org, which now points to the new location.

Vic
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

New in the Mind-mapping.org database this week:

Text2Mindmap

Using a simple indented outline-format text file (no section numbers, just tabs) this web-based application can build a simple tree-structured mind map.

Thoughtograph

This is mind mapping software that shows a tightly-integrated outline on the left, with the map on the right.

GNletting Mindmap

A basic concept mapping / mind mapping browser-based application.

For details of these, see their entries at the main site.

Regards

Vic

Most people accept, I believe, that we are on the verge of recession.  Maybe already in the downturn in parts of the western hemisphere.  So what’s that got to do with mind mapping?  Survival!  I’ve just put up a few thoughts on how you can use mind mapping skills to better your chances if downsizing looms:  Visual mapping and recession-proofing your job 

 Tip of the hat to Chuck Frey for suggesting this topic to me.

Vic Gee
http://www.mind-mapping.org/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Pretty fluid, cool, and oh yeah, expensive? … once they’re past the proof-of-concept stage.

wikiWall - Stefano Baraldi’s Master’s Thesis.  Projected from above.  Watch it in action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkKLLhlWm0E

 And this one would catch the kiddies’ attention when they complain about having to do concept maps for homework.  The Surface-like tabulaTouch.

Catch it in action at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpJKCb8hL4g&NR=1

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Chuck Frey has done a comparison of the functions of some of the web based mind mapping services.  Starting from Tiffany Brown’s comparison chart that I blogged about almost a year ago (here: “Valuable comparison of four web-based services“), he did a great job of updating that and adding the new kid on the block, MeadMAP as well.  With Tiffany’s permission, he has now published this extended, in-depth comparison.  And what’s more, you can download it free.

For each of these web apps: MindMeister, Mindomo, Mind42, Comapping and MeadMAP - he has covered over 60 features and capabilities, including an overview (versions, pricing); map formats supported; map level features; topic-level features; import options; export options; publishing options; collaboration and other features.

Combined with Mind-mapping.ORG’s price and summary information on the Nineteen web-based mind mapping applications this makes a Vital addition to the information available to those needing help in making a choice.

Great job Chuck!

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

New entries in the Mind-mapping.org database this week:

MeadMAP

MeadMAP is new.  It inherits Comapping’s left-to-right structure.  Their emphasis is on use by students and in the educational field.

Spinscape

Getting to use Spinscape is by invitation only at present.  Bravely ignoring the 12 existing browser-based mind mapping applications, some of which go back to 2006, they claim in a press release that their “goal is to create the next level of mind mapping, Mind Mapping 2.0″.  Not much information available at present - I’ll update the database when there is.

Imindi

I had some more information from Imindi in a comment to this blog (thanks guys), so I’ve been able to add a couple more screenshots and description to their entry in the database, but this is in private Beta, so there’s still not a lot available. 

Vic