The Mind Mapping Software Weblog

The online mind map smackdown

During the last year and a half, a number of web-based tools for mind mapping have evolved quickly into competent business applications. Several of them are now approaching the functionality of desktop mind mapping software.

I've been planning to create a comparison chart that details how the offerings of each of the major developers of web-based mind mapping software tools compare, but just couldn't seem to get around to it - until recently. During a recent web search, I came across a chart produced by blogger Tiffany Brown that compared MindMeister, Mindomo, Mind42 and Comapping, and provided brief reviews of each of the programs. It was dated July 2007 - almost a year old, an eternity in Web 2.0 terms - and so I contacted Tiffany to see if I could use her chart as a jumping off point to an up-to-date comparison. She said yes!

I first made a detailed set of features and performance criteria, drawn from a similar chart that I offer for desktop-based mind mapping software, and added in other capabilities that are unique to these web-based tools. I then sent the form to each developer, asking them to fill in the required data. Finally, I compiled their answers into a detailed side-by-side comparison chart, which is now available for you to download.

This detailed chart covers criteria such as:

• Overview (versions, pricing)
• Map formats supported
• Map level features
• Topic-level features
• Import options
• Export options
• Publishing options
• Collaboration
• Other features

This is the most comprehensive comparison of web-based mapping tools ever created. And it's yours by clicking here.

By the way, if you're interested in reading Tiffany's original report, my comparison chart contains a link to her blog post at the bottom of the last page.

Beyond hierarchies: A better paradigm for mind mapping?

Shelly Hayduk, writing in TheBrain Blog, recently posted an article that suggests that traditional hierarchical mind maps may not be the best way to present complex information and knowledge. She points out that almost all software interfaces today are limited to organizing information into hierarchies, where a piece of information can only be categorized into one place. A case in point: the traditional file manager view in Microsoft Windows, where the directory tree resembles an expandable and contractible outline.

Here's where things get a little controversial: While Shelly acknowledges that mind mapping software offers an improved information hierarchy, it shares the same limitation as the directory tree of your computer's filing system, because each topic can have only one parent. If you want to create a link from one topic to a branch that is distant from it, this is somewhat hard to represent visually, especially in a very large map.

In contrast, PersonalBrain, the desktop software developed by her employer, is designed to create complex connections between widely disparate topics. Each node in the visual map can have connections to numerous other topics, enabling you to display non-hierarchical relationships between pieces of information. As a result, Shelly says TheBrain can be used to display and manipulate maps consisting of several thousand nodes, while giving a more complete picture of each node's multitude of relationships.

Please note: This isn't meant to be a commercial for TheBrain, but to highlight the philosophical differences between TheBrain's approach to visual information management and that of "traditional" mind mapping software.

What do you think? Have you downloaded and evaluated PersonalBrain? What was your experience? How well does it do at helping you to visualize relationships between ideas in your maps? I look forward to your feedback.

Using mind mapping to clarify and strengthen your business

Gideon King, the founder of NovaMind, is a big fan of Squidoo, a free service that enables registered users to create resource pages on various subjects. But rather than create a set of links to cool mind mapping resources, Gideon has decided to take a different approach: to utilize this service to develop a series of articles about applications of mind mapping software.

This Squidoo "lens" on Using Mind Mapping to Clarify and Strengthen Your Business is a case in point. In it, Gideon explains how to use mind mapping software to create a company mission statement, how to set goals, plan your website and sell your ideas, all illustrated with brightly colored mind maps. They all recommend that you download and utilize a copy of NovaMind to create these maps, of course, but thankfully Gideon employs a "soft sell" approach. The bottom line is that he has created an informative article that many new mind mappers are likely to appreciate. He has also created lenses on How to Mind Map and Business Continuity.

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.

Mead Corporation launches web-based mapping tool for students: MeadMap

According to a report on Web 2.0 blog Mashable.com, Mead Corporation recently launched a new web-based mind mapping tool for students called MeadMap. The technology for MeadMap is provided by Comapping, which entered into a strategic relationship with Mead to provide a web-based visual mapping tool for the education market.

The interface looks just like Comapping, with a ribbon toolbar and a main topic in a gray vertical pane on the left side of the workspace, with branches radiating to the right. Mead and Comapping executives say that the two Web 2.0 applications will become more differentiated in the near future, as Comapping continues to target business users and MeadMap becomes more customized to meet the needs of students. Mead has deep roots in the education market, and could give this new Web 2.0 venture some major traction. It will be interesting to see how MeadMap evolves in the months ahead!

If you'd like to play around with MeadMapping, the two companies have graciously agreed to provide the readers of this blog with a special promotional code that you can use to sign up for 6 months of access. Normal pricing is US$12 for 6 months, or US$20 for a year. The Mind Mapping Software Blog promotional code is MINDTYP01, and is good for the first 500 users. Click here to register for MeadMap.

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

"Visual thinking school" reveals how to solve business issues, communicate better - with pictures

Dave Gray, the CEO of XPLANE, has launched a multi-part "Visual Thinking School" on Squidoo. It consists of a series of "lenses" (resource pages) that together form a "mini-course" on various facets of visual thinking, including:

• An introduction to visual thinking
• Visual communication skills - how to make your messages more clear, concise and consistent
• Visual vocabulary - Learn about a set of elements, or visual "words" that make communicating visually possible
• Visual thinking tools - This lens is still under construction, but Dave's tools of choice are pencil/pen and paper.
• Visual thinking spaces - Some work spaces are more conducive to visual thinking than others. Dave shares some tips for setting up your workspace to support it.
• Sketching - All about learning to "see" visually - it's not as hard as you think!
• Signs, symbols and icons - These elements are ways to represent a complete thought in a simple way. Dave explains how to utilize them.
• Information design - This is the discipline of developing structures which allow people to find information that's relevant to them (e.g., website design and structure is a great example)
• Visual mapping - A way to think through complex problems or solve problems - visually. This mini-course does focus on mind maps, concept maps, flow charts and other techniques.

Dave is a pretty brilliant guy. Even though most of these presentations don't deal directly with mind mapping or mind mapping software, many of the underlying principles and concepts are here, and are explained briefly and clearly. I highly recommend that you check out these visual thinking resources!

Developer of Mind42 provides update, new features

After several months of silence, Stefan Schuster, the developer of Mind42, recently posted an update to his blog about this web-based mind mapping application. After working his way through some server issues, he has returned to developing new features for Mind42, which he hopes to move out of beta testing in the near future.

New in the latest build are these features:

• An improved map dialog, which now includes thumbnail previews of each of your maps stored on the web service.
• Image/PDF export, one of the most wanted features by users of Mind42. You can now export your maps to PDF or PNG (an image format).

It's nice to see that Mind42 continues to move forward. After a strong start, this collaboration-focused visual mapping tool appeared to be dead in the water. That's the problem, I suppose, when the developer is one person - he or she may get sidetracked by other priorities for a period of time, and then the application languishes for a while...

MindMeister 2.0 launches with numerous enhancements

Developer Codemart GmbH announced the launch of MindMeister 2.0 yesterday. MindMeister has been one of the most popular web-based mind mapping tools since its introduction in 2007. This new version of the application includes many new features, plus a new Team Edition. Here's a summary of what's new in MindMeister 2.0:

• Task support: Topics can now contain task information, such as priority and percentage complete.
• File attachments: Premium users of MindMeister can attach files to map topics.
• WunderLink performs a Yahoo search and inserts the number one search result in your map. Why would you want this? It could be a terrific way to bring new creative stimuli into your mind map - sort of an idea catalyst - cool!
• WunderNote performs FreeBase (a competitor to Wikipedia in the collective human knowledge space) look-ups based on the name of the currently selected topic, and inserts the results in a topic note.
• Sub-sharing for maps: People you have approved to collaborate on a map can now invite others to edit it. Of course, this is an option you can turn off if you're not comfortable with it!
• Formatting and navigation enhancements: You can now apply text styles selectively to child ideas. MindMeister 2.0 now offers improved formatting of first level branches, and the ability to expand and collapse map levels.
• Note and link enhancements: The notes editor is now larger, and offers more text formatting options. MindMeister 2.0 adds a links widget in the sidebar, plus a "Show popular links" command for more idea stimulation.

The Team Edition of MindMeister, previously available as a web service, also gains some new features. For example, you can brand the login page with your corporate logo. You can also access your team's MindMeister workspace through a branded subdomain (such as acmecompany.mindmeister.com). You can also import your team list into MindMeister Team Edition using a CSV file, which should help you to get your team collaborating faster than ever with this robust, web-based mapping tool.

I can see that I'm going to need to spend some serious time with MindMeister 2.0 to find out how all of this cool new stuff works. I'll let you know what I think of it some time next week, I hope!