The Mind Mapping Software Weblog

A unique combination: Mind mapping plus idea catalyst

A recent article in a European engineering magazine suggests that you can get more out of mind mapping tools by utilizing them in conjunction with a brainstorming program like IdeaFisher (actually, now called eXpertSystem). This program contains a sizeable library of associated words and phrases, plus a "QBank" with thousands of questions focused on common business and ideation tasks. One way that mind mapping software can be used together with this ideation tool is to utilize eXpertSystem's stimulating questions to help fill in the gaps in your maps. The article also suggests that eXpertSystem's tools can help mind mapping users to "find indirect, associated ideas that might not emerge from the usual linear thinking process."

I can see how this technique could work very well for many users of mind mapping software. After all, even though the visual interface of the typical mind mapping program is creatively stimulating, it's still possible to get "stuck" - in a place where the ideas have stopped flowing. In a situation like this, thought-provoking questions and intriguing keywords can jump-start your brain in some fresh, new directions, which can then be captured in your mind map.

First impressions of FreeMind

I recently downloaded a copy of FreeMind, an open-source mind mapping program written in Java, and have started to play around with it. When I looked at it a few years ago, it still appeared to be a bit rough around the edges. But it has certainly matured significantly since then. FreeMind now boasts a very polished user interface and many nice features. Significantly, it supports numerous keyboard commands for common operations, which enables you to add content to your map and modify it quickly. The program offers a full set of topic formatting and linking options. And I also like the ability to quickly "fold" and "unfold" map branches with a single keystroke.

Watch for a full review of this much-improved program in the next several weeks on InnovationTools.com.

New MindManager Add-ins

Mindjet has released several interesting add-ins to MindManager during the last few weeks:

Google Trip Planner add-in: You put your starting point in one topic, your destination in another, and then join them together with a relationship line. Then right click on the relationship and click on the "get route" command.  A web page launches to a Mindjet site with Microsoft Virtual Earth embedded with a map and driving directions. In addition, a callout topic is created off of the relationship, which contains the directions (in the notes field) and a hyperlink to the Virtual Earth map.

MindManager Presenter: This add-in enables you to create and show presentations with a webcam that are embedded in and linked to a map. This tool adds two task panes to MindManager: MindManager Presenter and MindManager Recorder. Using these task panes in conjunction with a map, a presentation can be recorded, embedded in the map and played back. When the presentation is played back the topics selected during the recording are focused on and synchronized with the audio/video content. This could actually be pretty cool for recording lectures and other types of presentations!