The Mind Mapping Software Weblog

A new home for the Mind Mapping Software Blog

During the past month or so, I have been working with a developer and designer to create a new home for this blog, built on the popular WordPress platform. The new design resembles a news magazine, and is designed to expose more of this blog's content to you, the reader. It also gives me capabilities that just weren't possible on the TypePad blogging platform:

• Track the most popular posts
• Feature key posts on the home page
• Enable you to search the blog's full contents
• Add various resources to this blog
• Get posts noticed and favorably ranked in Google (which is almost impossible when your blog is a sub-domain of TypePad)

The new blog is at this URL: http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com.

Please update your browser bookmarks or favorites.

The new RSS feed is: http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/feed/

If you've been tracking the posts on this blog using an RSS feed reader, you must update to the new URL, because this blog will no longer be updated.

I hope you enjoy the new blog!

A challenge to developers of mind mapping software

In a recent blog post, Brett Bumeter took Mindjet, the developer or MindManager 7, to task for not keeping pace with users’ changing needs. That, however, is not the focus of this post. Rather, what I’d like to do here is take some of Brett’s key points and issue a challenge to all developers of mind mapping software. I believe that he has identified some real needs here that ought to be addressed by them. Here are some examples:

Web 2.0 awareness: Recent developments in what is popularly called Web 2.0 (social networking, blogging and user generated video) are not yet reflected in today's mind mapping software. Mind mapping software needs to be able to interact with a variety of popular tools, including Digg, Linkedin, blogs and YouTube. Improved RSS support would be a big plus, too. Brett points out that MindManager’s RSS capability doesn't interface with FeedBurner, the largest and most dominant feed management system on the Internet.

Improved Office integration: Integration with Microsoft Office applications is sometimes troublesome; most recently, several bloggers have reported that Microsoft's most recent update to Outlook has broken MindManager's Outlook linker.

Integration with corporate databases: Integration with databases has remained at rudimentary levels. With much of today's corporate data residing in ERP systems, CRM and other high-end databases, it is impossible to connect this data into visual maps today. Imagine if you could query your corporate database from within your favorite mind mapping program, add the resulting data set into your map and then maintain a live connection to it.  This would take the idea of mind map "dashboards" to the next level!

Improved collaboration: In the last year or so, a whole new genre of web-based mind mapping tools has emerged, which make it much easier for users to collaborate on visual maps. Other than Mind Technologies adding a client/server version to Visual Mind 9, very little has been done by software developers to enable real-time collaboration on mind maps. According to the surveys I have done, collaboration is of great interest to users of mind mapping software. Clearly this is a need that should be addressed by developers.

More innovation: Innovations in the world of mind mapping software need to move beyond the realm of cosmetic changes, such as adoption of Microsoft's fluent UI (the love-it-or-hate it ribbon toolbar).

Help in managing large maps: Brett also points out that users need a more effective way of managing large, complex maps. Perhaps developers need to consider rendering maps in 3-D, or some other tech make could be developed that would help users to work with complex maps more effectively.

I think there's still plenty of room for innovation in the world of mind mapping software. What do you think?

Winners of my e-book give-away announced

Thank you to all of the visual mappers who submitted entries for the opportunity to win a free copy of my popular e-book, Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software. The stories were so good that it was hard for me to choose just one winner. That’s why I decided to choose three:

• Lee Gilbert, a retired businessperson in Singapore who has begun a second career teaching business students (tomorrow's visual mappers!)
• Anthony White, who is working for a legal aid agency in California, a firm that helps people who can’t afford an attorney to have legal representation in court.
• Lisa Metzer, who is spreading the word about mind mapping at her employer, National Geographic, an amazing organization that teaches more about the fascinating world that we share.

Congratulations to the three of you!  I hope my e-book helps you to take your visual mapping skills to the next level!

Hog tied by SmartDraw 2008

Last week, I needed to create a diagram for a new e-book I'm working on. I needed to depict the flow of information into and out of a mind map, and I needed to get this illustration done in a hurry. Sounds like a perfect job for SmartDraw. So I opened up the new 2008 version, which I have installed on my laptop but haven't had a chance to use yet. SmartDraw and I go back a long way; I've been using the program for years to create business diagrams, and I consider it to be the best program in this genre of software.

When you first open SmartDraw 2008, you are greeted by a wizard, one of those dialog boxes on steroids that helps newbies to get started with a complex program. This wizard contains numerousa types of diagram templates from which you can choose. I spent a few minutes looking through these selections, but didn’t find one that seemed to meet my needs.

So I experimented a bit. I chose one type of diagram, and immediately discovered that it only gave me access to a small fraction of the program's extensive symbol libraries. There didn't seem to be any option to exit out of this filtered set of resources. So I was forced to exit the program, reopen it and try a different type of diagram. No luck.

Next, I looked for a menu selection or button that would allow me to exit out of this wizard and create a blank diagram, with full access to all of SmartDraw’s libraries and resources. Maybe I'm missing something, but I wasn't able to find one. In desparation, I clicked on the big round button that is the anchor of SmartDraw's ribbon toolbar - unfortunately, the only command that wasn't grayed out was "open." I couldn't even use it to create a new, blank document! So I finally gave up in frustration, and used another program to create my diagram.

SmartDraw.com has done very well over the years by catering to the needs of people who occasionally need to create colorful, memorable diagrams. Historically, it's ease-of-use has been unrivaled by any program in the business drawing arena, in my opinion. But I'm afraid that this time they've gone too far. Here’s what I mean:

Developers of graphical programs face a unique challenge: they need to make their applications easy enough for first-time users to get things done without becoming overwhelmed, while at the same time meeting the needs of their more experienced users. Microsoft Publisher does this well. When you start up this popular desktop publishing program, it displays an extensive wizard that helps you to select from literally hundreds of possible projects, with thumbnail images of each choice.  But - and this is the important part - it also provides a command called "create a blank publication," which more experienced users can utilize to exit from the wizard and create their own publication from scratch. That's what's missing from SmartDraw 2008. Or if it is there, it needs to be made more obvious.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not out to trash SmartDraw. I just felt hog-tied by this program, which really limited my options and made it impossible to meet my needs!

Learning to love the ribbon toolbar

In my recent "Hot or Not" survey, the ribbon toolbar was rated the least popular of 19 features. In addition, based on what I've read in several online discussion groups, it appears that users have a love-hate relationship with this dramatic new productivity feature, which is available in MindManager and NovaMind.

I'm not quite sure what all of the consternation is about.  I have come to really like the ribbon toolbar, and here's why:

Microsoft did a lot of usability research on the ribbon toolbar (what they call the Fluent UI) before rolling it out in Office 2007 suite. Click here for more details on Microsoft's thinking behind this interface innovation. Some solid thinking went into what is arguably the biggest advance in software interfaces in some time. The key points of Microsoft's backgrounder are these:

Why was a new interface needed? “In previous releases of Microsoft Office applications, people used a system of menus, toolbars, task panes, and dialog boxes to get their work done. This system worked well when the applications had a limited number of commands. Now that the programs do so much more, the menus and toolbars system does not work as well. Too many program features are too hard for many users to find.”

What are the benefits of tabs in the ribbon UI? “The tabs on the ribbon display the commands that are most relevant for each of the task areas in the applications… These tabs simplify accessing application features because they organize the commands in a way that corresponds directly to the tasks people perform in these applications.”

The big button. In earlier versions of Office, file-level features were mixed in with authoring features in the suite’s menus and toolbars. The big button in the upper left corner of programs with the ribbon toolbar now centralizes everything you can do with a document in one place, such as share it, protect it, print it, publish it and send it. “It simplifies the core authoring scenarios and allows the ribbon to focus on creating great documents.” This applies in MindManager and NovaMind as well.

More visual cues help you to see what you can do. In the new ribbon toolbars, the buttons tend to be larger and more visual, depicting to a greater extent what will happen when you click them (a good example is the "topic shape" or "growth direction" buttons in the format menu of MindManager). Microsoft calls the larger, more detailed drop-down lists in the new ribbon UI “galleries.” They replace complex dialog boxes with numerous options in older versions of the Office applications with drop-downs that actually show you what will happen if you invoke them. According to Microsoft, galleries simplify the process of producing professional looking work.

In my opinion, the ribbon toolbar is much more driven by functionality than the old toolbar design was, especially in MindManager and NovaMind. With the new toolbar design, you first consider what it is you want to do (such as format map topics) and click that command. This exposes a toolbar populated with commands and functions that you can carry out related to that general task. Meanwhile, the rest of the toolbar remains hidden behind the other tabs, reducing visual clutter. I think this is far superior to the old fashioned arbitrary horizontal rows of toolbar buttons. Was the old style of toolbar familiar? Definitely. Was it logical? More often than not, no.

I believe that a large number of people hate the ribbon toolbar design because it's simply different. They've gotten used to the locations of the commands and buttons they use in their old software, and they don’t want it changed, dammit! But I'm confident that once users get over the initial dislocation (“Where the hell did that button go??”), a large number of users will come to really enjoy the productivity increase that the ribbon toolbar makes possible.

Survey results highlight the most popular features of mind mapping software

In my recent “What's Hot or Not” survey, I asked readers of this blog to rate a series of mind mapping software features on a scale of one to 10, where one equals "not hot" and 10 equals "hot."  Sort of like the popular site that enables visitors to rank pictures of men and women based on their “hotness” (or lack thereof), only my survey was focused on popular features of mind mapping software.

Almost 350 of you responded, and the results were quite interesting. Here's how you ranked the features, from most to least popular:

1. Making presentations with mind maps - 8.1
2. Drill down/focus on branch - 7.8
3. Storing task information in topics - 7.7
4. Add-ins for more functionality - 7.6
5. Brainstorming mode - 7.5
6. Overview navigation map - 7.2
7. Outline view - 7.2
8. Integration with Microsoft Word - 7.1
9. Reviewing maps with others - 7.1
10. Integration with PowerPoint - 7.0
11. Filter topics using icons/markers - 6.9
12. Collaboration - 6.9
13. Topic boundaries/borders - 6.8
14. Filter topics using keywords - 6.7
15. Right-click commands - 6.6
16. Open source mapping software - 6.4
17. Web-based mind mapping tools - 6.4
18. Integration with Outlook e-mail messages - 5.8
19. Ribbon toolbar - 5.6

Surprised?  I certainly was. First, I had no idea that making presentations with mind mapping software, ranked number one at 8.1, would be so popular. Over 37% of respondents ranked it a 10, which means you feel quite passionate about this feature. I assume that many of you utilize your mind mapping software to develop an outline of your presentation, and then exported it too PowerPoint. Boy, was I wrong!

On the other hand, I was not surprised to see drill down/focus in ranked number two, with a score of 7.8.  This feature, which has been available on Inspiration for many years and was recently added to MindManager in version 7, enables you to display only the currently selected topic and subtopics; the rest of the map temporarily disappears from the screen. This enables you to reduce visual clutter and focus your mind on fully developing that specific section of your map. Once you have done so, you can "focus out" to display the entire map once again. I am easily distracted, so I find this feature to be very valuable, and it looks like you do, too.

Storing task information in topics was ranked number three, with a score of 7.7. That's a no-brainer, considering the number of you who utilize your mind mapping software for project management. Tracking tasks in a map is an excellent way to increase your productivity, and I'm glad to see so many of you recognize that!

Add-ins for more functionality was ranked number four, with a score of 7.6. Over 32% of you ranked it a 10, which means this is another point of passion for respondents. This surprised me a little bit because, until recently, MindManager was the only mind mapping software program for which developers are creating add-ins. What I don’t know is if respondents are actually using add-ins with their mind mapping software, or if it sounds like a desirable enhancement that they may purchase in the near future.

Brainstorming mode was another hot button for respondents, who ranked it fifth with a score of 7.5. Significantly, nearly one-third of you (29.2%) ranked it a 10, which means you really love this feature. I do, too. Anything that allows me to record ideas quickly in a mind map and keeps my creative “flow” going is a great thing!

One of the biggest surprises to me was the low ranking that web-based mind mapping tools received; they were third from the bottom of the list, with a score of 6.4.  Considering the amount of buzz that these web-based applications have been receiving lately, I thought this would have ranked higher than it did.

I also found it interesting that the ribbon toolbar came in dead last, with a score of only 5.6. Apparently, users of mind mapping software have a love-hate relationship with this productivity feature. I like it very much, because it exposes more of the program's features in fewer clicks; I find it’s a real time-saver. But I also know, based on several discussion threads that I’ve read in online forums, that some people really hate the ribbon toolbar. I’ll admit that it does take some getting used to, but I'm surprised that it scored this low in the survey!

What sticks out in your mind as you view the survey results?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section of this blog post.

New contest: Enter to win a free copy of my Power Tips & Strategies e-book

2008 is off to a great start for me, and I'm in a giving mood today.

I have decided to give away one free copy of my popular e-book, Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software Second Edition, to a deserving reader. It contains a wealth of ideas, strategies and best practices that can transform you into a master visual mapper - one who is able to conquer information overload, make better decisions, reach clarity faster on key issues, manage projects better and solve problems creatively.

To qualify, here's what you need to do: Using the comments section of this post (below), tell me a brief story about why you need it, and how you plan to utilize the knowledge it contains to make a difference in your work and life. Hint: If you want to know what the e-book contains, please click here. Please don't e-mail me. Only stories submitted via the comments section of this blog will be considered for this free drawing.

The deadline for your submissions is midnight, Central U.S. time on Tuesday, February 26th - one week from today. I will review all of the comments submitted, and will select the writer of the best story to receive a free copy of this 110-page, information-packed resource guide.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Mind mapping software: What's hot, what's not

It's time to have a little fun. A popular website is HotorNot.com, where visitors get to rate pictures of men and women on a scale of 1-10, corresponding to how "hot" or "not hot" they are. I've decided to adapt this idea to mind mapping software, to get a feel for what features and capabilities you think are "hot" and which ones are "not."

Please click here to participate in this fun survey.

The results will be shared in this blog in a week or two. Have fun!

2007: The year in review

2007 was an amazing year in the evolution of mind mapping software, and this weblog was there every step of the way, alerting you to the latest news, research, trends and best practices in this software genre. Here are some of the most important posts of 2007 from the Mind Mapping Software Blog:

January

• I reviewed NovaMind v3.2 for Windows, which contains many valuable features for business users.
• Nick Duffill shared with us a template for outcome-based planning.
• I interviewed Peter Maddern from Speech-Enabled Computing about utilizing speech recognition software with mind mapping software – a very cool combination!
• I interviewed Tony Buzan, the father of mind mapping. Read on to hear his surprising thoughts about mind mapping software.

February

• I shared with you an intriguing method of improving your decision making with mind mapping software, from Marcus Ingemann, author of the Mind Mapping Power Pack.
• I launched a “lens” about mind mapping software on Squidoo, which contains an executive summary of the best resources for mind mapping software in one convenient location.
• Wallace Tait outlines his valuable T.A.P. process for creating effective mind maps. You read it here first, folks!

March

• I reviewed Open Mind 2 Business Edition, a full-featured, business-focused program that could challenge MindManager for leadership at the top end of mind mapping software market. Read on to learn why.
• I published a chart that compares four web-based mind mapping applications.
• I published the results of a survey of users of mind mapping software. Issues covered in it included the biggest benefit they’re getting from utilizing mind mapping software, the issues they’re struggling with, and the future functionality they would like to see.

April

• I provided you with tips on how to manage meetings using mind mapping software.

May

• E-productivity expert Eric Mack explained how he utilizes MindManager for knowledge management.

June

• I previewed PersonalBrain 4.0, a new version of a unique visual mapping/knowledge management tool that offers some powerful new features.

July

• I launched a significantly expanded and updated Second Edition of my popular e-book, Power Tips & Strategies for Mind Mapping Software, which features 20 case histories submitted by real-world users.
• I gave reviewed Ontaris’ intriguing new OutlookLinker add-in for MindManager, which enables you to access all of your Outlook e-mail messages, contacts, tasks, notes and appointments without leaving MindManager.

August

• I shared with you 10 mistakes that you should avoid when working with mind mapping software.

September

• I reviewed MindMapper 2008, which I christened “the most improved program of 2007.” Read on to learn why!
• I gave you a preview of a fascinating new mind mapping tool developed by a group of Bulgarian college students. Called Bookvar, it integrates images into visual maps in a distinctive way.

October

• Wallace Tait issues a challenge to the developers of mind mapping software: embrace elements of concept mapping and flowcharting software to spur future growth of visual mapping.
• I reveal how to utilize mind mapping software to improve your life planning – you know, your personal goals and your plans to achieve them?

November

• I published my review of XMIND 2008 Pro. In a word, wow!
• I published the results of my survey of users of web-based mind mapping tools. This research shed some light on the advantages, disadvantages and future potential of this exciting new technology.
• VizThink, a new conference for visual thinkers, was announced. I gave you all the facts directly from Tom Crawford, the conference organizer.

December

• I revealed to you the 8 best ways to improve your mind maps. Don’t miss this important post, so you can start out 2008 on the right foot!

Happy New Year!

R.I.P. Marc Orchant

It is with great sadness that I must report that fellow technology blogger and mind mapping fan Marc Orchant passed away this morning, a week after he suffered a major heart attack. Details on funeral arrangements can be found here.

I remember Marc's keen sense of humor during our one and only phone conversation, in which I interviewed him about his use of mind mapping software on the Tablet PC platform. I also remember how he never failed to promote any project I was working on to his readers, including my e-books and surveys. He always made me feel valued, and I always appreciated his support! Marc lived his life with passion, and made many, many friends along the way!

I also enjoyed sharing in some of Marc's personal joys, even from a distance - when he noted on his Facebook page earlier this year that he turned "The Big 5-0" (my wife turned 50 in September, and I will hit that milestone next May, God willing) and during the summer, when he noted that he and his wife Sue were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary (Anne-Marie and I celebrated ours in September), I sent him a congratulatory e-mail, and he of course reciprocated.

My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Sue and their two children at this difficult time...