The Mind Mapping Software Weblog

Mindjet launches new Mac version of MindManager 6

Well, Mac fans, your wait is finally over: Mindjet officially released the new Mac OS X version of MindManager 6 today. This isn't just a simple "port" of the Windows code to the Mac operating system, either. Mindjet's software engineers built it using Apple's OS X software development tools, to ensure that it would take advantage of all that the Mac OS has to offer. For example, it utilizes the powerful Spotlight search tool to quicly locate specific information within your map topics and notes. In addition, tools for adding map markers, setting tasks, attaching files, adding hyperlinks and adjusting other characteristics of map topics are all centralized within an "inspector" palette, similar to other leading Mac OS X programs.

Also significant is that MindManager 6 Mac utilizes a cross-platform fle format, so you can exchange files between the Mac and Windows versions of the program. For more information on all that MindManager 6 Mac has to offer, please click here to view the Mindjet product page.

Considering the number of creative people (ad agencies, writers, corporate marketing communications departments) who use Macs, it's nice to see that they can finally take advantage of this powerful visual information management solution, just like their colleagues who have been using it on the Windows platform.

New version of Pocket Mindmap to support MindManager 6 Pro

According to JKRB Software, the developers of Pocket Mindmap, the new version now undergoing beta testing will support MindManager Pro 6. Other new features will include:

• Support for Windows Mobile 5
• Import of Pocket Outlook contacts
• Floating topics that can also have subtopics
• Style templates
• And more

JKRB hopes to have the release version ready to launch around the end of this month.

Using a mind map as a personal idea file

Dorai Thodla recently added a post to her blog about using Microsoft Outlook as an idealog – a repository for his ideas. That got me to thinking about how to develop a more visually oriented idea database, one that would be based upon a mind map. Here’s how it could work:

Adding and classifying ideas: You could easily add nodes to your map for new ideas at any time, and drag and drop them at will to different locations within your map. This would enable you to create primary topics to classify your ideas. These topics could be organized any number of ways, based on the type of idea (i.e., product, service, business model, etc.), its status, what department or operational area it could be used in, and so forth.

Tagging ideas with symbols: Ideas could be visually “tagged” using symbols. In fact, you could categorize and “tag” ideas as needed, with a high degree of flexibility.

Filtering ideas: You could leverage mind mapping software’s powerful filtering capabilities to show only those ideas that meet certain criteria, which contain certain keywords or which are tagged with certain symbols. The ability to show/hide branches would also help you to manage your ideas.

Linking related information to your ideas: Hyperlinking makes it easy to connect background information to the ideas in your map, either within a topic note or via a hyperlink. Most mind mapping programs enable you to attach links to documents, web pages (and, in the case of MindManager, even individual e-mail messages from Microsoft Outlook) to topics in your map. This means that, no matter where your idea originated, you can maintain connections to the thoughts that inspired it.

I think this idea has a lot of possibilities!

Nice map of mind mapping software resources

In its monthly e-newsletter, Mindjet has included a link to a MindManager map of mind and visual mapping resources on the web. It includes an extensive collection of links to the best sites, blogs, discussion forums, training resources and more. If you're a MindManager user, this is a must-download resource. It even includes a number of sites that I wasn't previously aware of!

MindManager 6 Service Pack 1 is available

Mindjet has announced the availability of Service Pack 1 for its MindManager 6 and MindManager 6 Pro applications. It contains updates that offer application reliability and performance, program compatibility, security and more. One new feature: a Lotus Notes Hyperlink, which enables MindManager users to link to Notes documents in Mail, Calendar, Address Book and To Do applications.

MacWorld review of Inspiration 8

MacWorld has just posted a review of Inspiration 8 for Mac OS X. Overall, it's very positive. Although some of the program's resources seem to be focused on the educational market, the reviewer concludes that there's plenty here for business users to love as well.

What they liked:

• The new version's enhanced RapidFire brainstorming mode
• Expanded symbol collection
• The ability to integrate QuickTime video clips into your maps

What's not to like:

• A few minor interface quirks.

Overall, the MacWorld review gave this newest version of Inspiration 4.5 stars out of 5, and called it "an excellent tool for teachers, students, or anyone else who needs help organizing their ideas. The addition of new symbols and the ability to import movies and sounds only add to the program’s great value."

Watch for my in-depth review of Inspiration 8 for Windows in the next week or 2!

New ConceptDraw MINDMAP 4.4 exports files to the iPod

CS Odessa has announced that its new version of ConceptDraw MINDMAP is the first application that brings mind maps to iPods. With ConceptDraw MINDMAP 4.4, users of the iPod can view their maps, outlines and text notes, present thoughts and explain concepts to other people using the popular multimedia player. How does this work? CS Odessa provides this tutorial, which explains everything. Basically, you export your content to a GIF or JPG image, and then use Apple's iTunes application to transfer the resulting image to your iPod. Outlines and text notes can be exported in a text format to the iPod.

Non-profit version of VisiMap Professional 4.0 now available

CoCo Systems Ltd., developers of VisiMap, recently announced new non-profit pricing for VisiMap Professional 4.0. The full licensed price of this mind mapping program is GBP 69.00 (approx. US$130); the new non-profit license is GBP 19.00 (about US$36) -- a substantial discount. Strict terms and conditions apply, however. See the VisiMap website for details.

New mind mapping video training program available

Arjen ter Hoeve, the publisher of the Mindmap Podcast, just announced the availability of a new video training program on how to create effective visual maps using mind mapping software. Previously, Arjen has made these programs available via e-book/PDF; the video format is designed to provide a more visually-engaging platform for his training content. Here's a link where you can learn more.

Mobile mind mapping with Pocket MindMap

Brad Isaac, author of the Achieve-It! blog, recently wrote up a nice review of his experiences using Pocket MindMap on a Pocket PC. Despite the diminutive screen size of the Pocket PC, Brad says Pocket MindMap is actually quite functional, albeit a bit on the pricey side. This is a well written, brief perspective on a remarkable program that I reviewed several years ago. To the developer's credit, he continues to update and improve Pocket MindMap on a regular basis. For more information about this mobile mind mapping tool, click here to view the product tour.