The Mind Mapping Software Weblog

CS Odessa announces plans for ConceptDraw Office visual project management program

CS Odessa, the developer of ConceptDraw MINDMAP, has announced that it plans to launch a new software program called ConceptDraw Office that will seamlessly integrate the capabilities of ConceptDraw (for business diagramming), ConceptDraw Project (for project management) and ConceptDraw MINDAP into one powerful visual documentation tool.

"The key innovation behind ConceptDraw Office is that for any particular project scenario there is an appropriate visual representation for the respective information. Sample usage scenarios include brainstorming project ideas using a whiteboard-like view, organizing results into highly informative mind maps, and transforming data into detailed project plans and Gantt charts," the company explained in a news release dated May 6th.

ConceptDraw Office appears to be designed to provide project managers with an end-to-end solution - covering everything from brainstorming the front end of a new project (utilizing the brainstorming mode from ConceptDraw MINDMAP), developing detailed project plans (again in mind map mode), and producing GANTT charts and Work Breakdown Structures. Project monitoring and progress tools will include project resource usage reports, a visual project dashboard and other reports, task lists and task status reports (presented in map mode), plus a project summary report.

Other programs enable you to manage part of this "birth to death" project process, but to the best of my knowledge, no one has offered an end-to-end, visually oriented project suite like ConceptDraw Office. It will be priced at US$499.

Click here to learn more about ConceptDraw Office, and here to view screenshots of this new productivity tool.

Developer adapts Labyrinth open source map app for Nokia N800

One of the beauties of open source software is that any programmer can take its existing source code and add to it - or "branch" it off in exciting new directions. Eugene Antimirov recently reported in his blog that he has created a version of Labyrinth (an open source mind mapping app written in Python) that is adapted for the Nokia N800, a clamshell style cell phone/PDA, utilizing its Maemo open source operating system. He reports that it's still in "alpha" stage (not ready for prime time, probably still a bit buggy).

For more information about Labyrinth, please visit its web page.

Thanks to Kevin Tofel from the jkOnTheRun blog for uncovering this little gem.

Mind mapping software comparison chart now available - for a limited time only

During the last year or so, I have maintained an extensive chart that compares the features of 22 desktop mind mapping programs. Normally, I only make this available as a bonus report for my e-books. But because it has generated such strong interest from so many people, I have decided to make it available as a separate report, for one week only.

The Mind Mapping Software Comparison chart covers over 80 features and program characteristics - the most exhaustive summary of these programs you'll find anywhere. Categories covered include:

• Operating system(s) supported
• Program versions
• Map formats/views offered
• Topic features
• Map-level features
• Advanced features
• Tablet PC support
• Overall interface features
• Microsoft Office integration
• Export formats supported

This information-packed chart is regularly updated as new versions of these software programs become available. In fact, for the sake of accuracy, I ask each software developer to update its own listing with all of the latest information, rather than relying on me visiting each developer's website. Several developers also recommend new features to be added to the chart, ensuring that it's as accurate and complete as possible. The chart even contains links to each developer's website for your convenience.

Because I have offered this comparison chart as part of a premium e-book package, I need to attach a value to it, so I don't upset my existing customers. Therefore, you can purchase it for only $9.95 - but only for a limited time – one week. After Friday, May 9, 2008, it will only be available as a bonus report once again.

So if you've ever wanted to know what other mind mapping software programs are on the market and what they have to offer, now's the time to invest in this inexpensive yet comprehensive software comparison chart.

Click here to order it

MatchWare launches OpenMind 2 for Mac Edition

MatchWare, the developers of the excellent OpenMind 2 for Windows, recently launched a Mac OS X version of their flagship mind mapping software program. It appears to have all of the features and functionality of the Windows version, including export to Microsoft Word, HTML websites and an interactive Timeline view. OpenMind Mac Edition is priced at $279 USD; the program is available at select Apple retail stores or directly from MatchWare.

Mindjet debuts beta version of shared workspace tool for MindManager

For the past several weeks, a select group of MindManager users (including yours truly) got to participate in the first phase of a private beta program for Mindjet Connect, a new online collaboration tool that will allow MindManager 7.2 users to create secure workspaces and share their maps and attached files with others. Mindjet just announced that the non-disclosure period for Mindjet Connect has just been lifted, so I can finally tell you about this exciting new tool.

You start by downloading a MindManager 7.2 update, which installs a Mindjet Connect sign-in button at the bottom of the program's workspace. You can use this button to login and create a new workspace, invite others and set several levels of access control for them. When you're connected to the Mindjet Connect server, a new Mindjet Connect tabbed window appears; you can easily toggle between the Mindjet Connect window for workspaces and MindManager for mapping.

The Mindjet Connect window contains a ribbon toolbar similar to MindManager 7, which provides a convenient set of tools for creating new workspaces, adding users, and managing documents and maps. Users can be invited to participate in a shared workspace via e-mail. You can designate users as owners, who have full rights for access management and adding and editing content; authors, who can only add and edit content; and readers, who can only view content. The toolbar also offers two online meeting tools: an instant meeting that is similar to a WebEx or GoToMeeting session, and online chat.

You can easily create new documents using the Mindjet Connect window, or import them from your PC. MindManager maps, Microsoft Office documents and other files that have been created or uploaded to a workspace are displayed in a clean, easy to understand tabular format.

MindManager maps created using Mindjet Connect or imported to a workspace are shared maps; that is, multiple members can edit the same map at the same time - in other words, real-time collaboration - cool! When you're "co-mapping" a map, Mindjet Connect gives you a visual indication of the other members who are viewing or editing the map.

The chat function of Mindjet Connect functions very similar to other instant messaging applications, appearing in a separate window. The Instant Meeting application enables you to share your screen with other members of your workspace. Within this collaboration tool, you can communicate with each other via text chat, voice or video transmission. It also provides whiteboarding tools, which you can use to mark up the map that is shared on the screen.

The bottom line is that this new collaboration tool significantly extends MindManager's capabilities into some exciting new areas. The Mindjet Connect workspace appears to be robust, well designed and fairly easy to use.

Users of mind mapping software have been asking for years for more tools that will enable them to share their maps with others and collaborate more easily. In the last year or so, developers of web-based mind mapping tools have answered this call, but we haven't seen much movement from the major developers of desktop mind mapping software. It's great to see that Mindjet has decided to move aggressively into the world of online collaboration!

Mindjet hasn't announced a release date or pricing for Mindjet Connect; the next step is for the developer to expand its beta program to additional MindManager users. It will be interesting watching this new tool evolve into its final form!

MindPlan integrates mind mapping, project management to an unprecedented level

I recently discovered a mind mapping program for Lotus Notes that integrates project management tools to an extent that I have never seen before. MindPlan was created by a German developer, Haus Weilgut, and it makes project management tools like GANTT charts, milestones, resource allocation and progress tracking an integral part of the application, not an afterthought.

I wasn't able to run the trial version of MindPlan on my laptop because I don't use Lotus Notes, but I did download a very impressive PowerPoint "demo" (click on the "MindPlan Usage" button) that does a surprisingly good job of highlighting the program's main features. Here are some of the things that impressed me the most about MindPlan:

• You can start to develop an outline of your project plan in a mind map view that appears to be well designed and easy to use. A right-hand panel contains a very helpful tab called "your next steps" that makes it easy to understand what you can do at each step of the project definition and management process. Each task is a hyperlink; when you click one, a dialog box pops up on screen that enables you to carry it out. This is a very nice usability enhancement that should be appreciated by new users!
• You can insert pre-defined map segments with a single mouse click. The PowerPoint demo shows a "project structure" branch being added to a sample project map, which already contains sub-topics for project concept and planning, realization (implementation) and project closure. Nice!
• The task and activity dialog boxes are quite comprehensive, with multiple tabs that let you do everything from noticing a task's estimated duration and who is responsible, to attaching supporting documents.
• An integrated GANTT editor lets you view your developing project in a tabular view, with all topics and sub-topics in a hierarchical outline view.
• As part of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) process, costs for activities are accumulated and consolidated numbers are compiled at each topic and sub-topic, making it easy to see total estimated costs for a project in a very visual presentation.
• At the top of the workspace, tabs provide access to numerous views and reports, including resource allocation, milestone and date overview, activities that are exceeding their target duration or where actual costs have deviated from estimated costs. These views provide a depth and clarity of reporting that is really quite impressive!
• Nearly all projects require meetings of team members, so it's not surprising to see that MindPlan provides tools for adding meeting planning details (an agenda, send meeting invitations via Lotus Notes, etc.) to your project maps. MindPlan can automatically calculate meeting duration from the estimated times you have entered for each agenda item.

If my brief description of MindPlan's notable features sounds intriguing, then I recommend that you download the PowerPoint demo (available as a ZIP file). This page also contains 2 Flash presentations that are designed to familiarize you with the program's key features.

The only disappointment, in my opinion, is that MindPlan is only designed to work in Lotus Notes environments. Hopefully, Haus Weilgut will expand support for other operating systems in the future!

XMIND 2008 v2.3 features MindManager integration

Mango Software has just announced the launch of XMIND 2008 version 2.3, which enables XMIND users to import maps from MindManager, as well as export XMIND maps to the native MindManager file format. According to the updates page, apparently XMIND could import MindManager files before, but not without some problems. The process has been improved, so map layout, relationships, boundaries and other map enhancements can be reliably imported into XMIND, with all of the details intact.

XMIND 2008 v2.3 also features some enhancements to the map filter. By default, no map markers or labels are selected by default, so your entire map is displayed. Clicking on a map marker or label immediately filters your map's contents to show only those topics that are so marked. Selecting additional marker or label continues to add them to the filter. Clicking on the "remove filter" button returns you to a full map view.

Finally version 2.3 contains some improvements to map printing, including measuring margins by metric (mm) or English (inch) measurements.

For more information about this major update, please view the XMIND news page.

Cayra announces map viewer service

Cayra.NET, a developer of a new mind mapping/concept mapping application, has just announced the availability of a Cayra maps online viewer. At first, I thought this was an application that allowed anyone to view Cayra maps, even if you don't have the program. But in reality, it appears to be an online repository, where you can post and share your maps with others.

You can easily upload your maps here, but I had a hard time figuring out where the main map library page is that lists all of the maps uploaded so far. Apparently you must share at least one map in order to view the file library.

Visual Mind 9 opens new ground for collaboration with mind maps

I recently published a review of Visual Mind 9 from Mind Technologies AS, in which I explore the newest and most notable features of this well-designed, full-featured mind mapping program for Windows.

The biggest news in this version is the launch of a client-server version, which makes Visual Mind it the first desktop-based mapping program to enable real-time collaboration. It also contains several other new productivity-enhancing features; you'll have to read my review for all of the details.

TPAssist version 1.3 improves task management, Outlook integration

The developers of TPAssist 2007, a task and project management add-in for MindManager, have introduced a new version of it with numerous new and improved features. If you haven't seen this add-in before, I definitely recommend that you take a look at the videos on the TPAssist website, which clearly explain what exactly this add-in does.

If your mind maps contain a lot of task data, then you're probably aware that much of this information is hidden, unless you expand every topic and branch. TPAssist gets around this limitation by "rolling up" project and task information into higher-level topics, so it's more readily visible. It also synchronizes tasks created in TPAssist with Outlook; this capability can be configured on a per-task basis, giving you a very finite level of control over the amount of data you pass to Outlook and vice versa.

The new version of TPAssist 2007, version 1.3, enhances the add-in's Outlook integration to include support for existing Outlook item categories. Apparently it used to ignore these categories.

You can also designate topics as "research/notes topics," which means TPAssist will ignore all of its sub-topics. This makes it easy to combine research and task-related information in the same section of a map.

TPAssist integrates with Excel to produce a series of project and work breakdown reports, based on the task data incorporated into your map. Topic titles used to build topic summaries can now be customized, which should help you to differentiate between task names in the program's project reports.

TPAssist v1.3 also contains numerous small improvements to the program, to make them more intuitive and easier to use. For all of the details, please visit the TPAssist Blog.