Difference between revisions of "Collaborating with mind maps"

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== Collaboration options ==
 
== Collaboration options ==
Not so long ago, anyone wanting to collaborate with mind mapping had only two options:
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Just a few years ago, anyone wanting to collaborate with mind mapping had only two options:
 
::* Stand in front of a flip-board, whiteboard, or round a conference-room table with co-workers;
 
::* Stand in front of a flip-board, whiteboard, or round a conference-room table with co-workers;
 
::* Work on a mind map in software, email it out to your colleagues.  On receiving their replies, try to make suggested and agreed changes, co-ordinating discussion where changes conflict.
 
::* Work on a mind map in software, email it out to your colleagues.  On receiving their replies, try to make suggested and agreed changes, co-ordinating discussion where changes conflict.
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::* [http://bubbl.us/ Bubbl.us] is free, and almost allows drawing concept maps, because there is no forced hierarchy, so anything can be connected to anything.  You can even have multiple, separate islands of hierarchy. It does not make provision for linking phrases.
 
::* [http://bubbl.us/ Bubbl.us] is free, and almost allows drawing concept maps, because there is no forced hierarchy, so anything can be connected to anything.  You can even have multiple, separate islands of hierarchy. It does not make provision for linking phrases.
 
::* [http://www.comapping.com/ Comapping]  A subscription-based mapper with an idiosyncratic layout (i.e. 'radiant' is not an option).
 
::* [http://www.comapping.com/ Comapping]  A subscription-based mapper with an idiosyncratic layout (i.e. 'radiant' is not an option).
::* [http://mindmaps.kayuda.com/ Kayuda] (beta)  This is free, and can make proper concept maps including link descriptions.  The site has been inactive for many months, but works.
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::* [http://www.mapul.com/ MAPMYself (formerly Mapul)]  Free.  The only web-based mind mapper that makes maps with with an organic appearance.
::* [http://www.mapul.com/ Mapul]  Free.  The only web-based mind mapper that makes maps with with an organic appearance.
 
 
::* [http://mind42.com/ Mind42]  Free web-based mind mapper.  
 
::* [http://mind42.com/ Mind42]  Free web-based mind mapper.  
::* [http://www.mindmeister.com MindMeister]  In terms of features and active development, this appears to be the market leader for web-based mind mapping applications, with many options including off-line editing with Google Gears.
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::* [http://www.mindmeister.com MindMeister]  In terms of features and active development, this appears to be the market leader for web-based mind mapping applications, with many options including off-line editing with Google Gears. <small>(Google Gears off-line editing is rather iffy at present, please see this [http://blog.mindmeister.com/2010/04/19/upcoming-changes-to-offline-mode/ Mindmeister blog April 2010 entry], and also check for the latest status.  They promise an HTML5 solution later.)</small> 
 
::* [http://www.mindomo.com/ Mindomo]  Subscription web-based mind mapper.  
 
::* [http://www.mindomo.com/ Mindomo]  Subscription web-based mind mapper.  
 
::* [http://WiseMapping.com/ WiseMapping] (beta)  Free web-based mind mapper.
 
::* [http://WiseMapping.com/ WiseMapping] (beta)  Free web-based mind mapper.
  
Most subscription applications have a free options with just a few maps and limited access to services.
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Most subscription applications have a free options with just a few maps and limited access to services.  See also ''[[Best mind mapping software#If you often work in dispersed teams or groups|If you often work in dispersed teams or groups]]''.
  
The business models of companies offering free services mean that you should be cautious with your work left on their servers.  Most of these applications have the ability to import and export FreeMind maps, and some Mind Manager maps, so backing up locally is not hard.
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Most of these applications have the ability to import and export FreeMind maps, and some Mind Manager maps, so backing up locally is not hard.
  
This page is kept reasonably up to date [http://www.mind-mapping.org/web-based-mindmappers/details.html web-based mind map application details]
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The business models of companies offering free services mean that you should be cautious with your work left on their servers.
  
 
== Stand-alone mind mapping software with web applications ==
 
== Stand-alone mind mapping software with web applications ==
  
Publishers of stand-alone mind mapping software are now responding with servers to support collaborative efforts.  MindJet, publisher of MindManager, has MindJet Connect, Inspiration has Webspiration and 3D Topicscape has Topicsight for web publishing.  
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Publishers of stand-alone mind mapping software are now responding with servers to support collaborative efforts.  MindJet, publisher of MindManager, has MindJet Catalyst, Inspiration has Webspiration, Xmind has a web option and 3D Topicscape has Topicsight for web publishing.
  
 
== Whiteboard web applications ==
 
== Whiteboard web applications ==
Another web application which is not specific to mind mapping, but that can be used to make simple mind maps may be considered as well:
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Another class of web application which is not specific to mind mapping, but that can be used to make simple mind maps may be considered as well: Whiteboard apps.  Here are some:
[http://thinkature.com/| Thinkature]. with this you can draw basic mind maps, add images and chat.
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::* [http://www.twiddla.com/Home.aspx Twiddla]
 +
::* [http://www.dabbleboard.com/draw Dabbleboard]
 +
::* [http://www.imaginationcubed.com/LaunchPage ImaginationCubed]
 +
::* [http://www.scribblar.com/ Scribblar]
 +
 
 +
With these you can draw basic mind maps, add images and chat.
  
 
== Personal presence ==
 
== Personal presence ==
Despite all these technology options, meeting in a room, with a good, even inspirational, facilitator can generate an energy that is difficult to reproduce on line.
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Despite all these technology options, meeting in a room, with a good, even inspirational, facilitator can generate an energy that is difficult, maybe impossible, to reproduce on line.
  
 +
== Reference ==
  
== Reference ==
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There is a good summary of information about these web-based products at [http://www.mind-mapping.org/web-based-mindmappers/graphical.html mind-mapping.org] - it was my main source.
  
There is a good summary of information about these web-based products at [http://www.mind-mapping.org/web-based-mindmappers/graphical.html mind-mapping.org]
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[[Category:Business]]

Latest revision as of 23:51, 7 June 2010

Collaboration options[edit]

Just a few years ago, anyone wanting to collaborate with mind mapping had only two options:

  • Stand in front of a flip-board, whiteboard, or round a conference-room table with co-workers;
  • Work on a mind map in software, email it out to your colleagues. On receiving their replies, try to make suggested and agreed changes, co-ordinating discussion where changes conflict.

All this changed in 2006-7, when collaborative web-based platforms appeared that allow mappers to work together. Now, it is not even necessary to install software because these web applications operate in a web browser.

Web-based mind mapping applications[edit]

Now, many web applications are available for collaborative mapping. The order is alphabetical:

  • Bubbl.us is free, and almost allows drawing concept maps, because there is no forced hierarchy, so anything can be connected to anything. You can even have multiple, separate islands of hierarchy. It does not make provision for linking phrases.
  • Comapping A subscription-based mapper with an idiosyncratic layout (i.e. ‘radiant’ is not an option).
  • MAPMYself (formerly Mapul) Free. The only web-based mind mapper that makes maps with with an organic appearance.
  • Mind42 Free web-based mind mapper.
  • MindMeister In terms of features and active development, this appears to be the market leader for web-based mind mapping applications, with many options including off-line editing with Google Gears. (Google Gears off-line editing is rather iffy at present, please see this Mindmeister blog April 2010 entry, and also check for the latest status. They promise an HTML5 solution later.)
  • Mindomo Subscription web-based mind mapper.
  • WiseMapping (beta) Free web-based mind mapper.

Most subscription applications have a free options with just a few maps and limited access to services. See also If you often work in dispersed teams or groups.

Most of these applications have the ability to import and export FreeMind maps, and some Mind Manager maps, so backing up locally is not hard.

The business models of companies offering free services mean that you should be cautious with your work left on their servers.

Stand-alone mind mapping software with web applications[edit]

Publishers of stand-alone mind mapping software are now responding with servers to support collaborative efforts. MindJet, publisher of MindManager, has MindJet Catalyst, Inspiration has Webspiration, Xmind has a web option and 3D Topicscape has Topicsight for web publishing.

Whiteboard web applications[edit]

Another class of web application which is not specific to mind mapping, but that can be used to make simple mind maps may be considered as well: Whiteboard apps. Here are some:

With these you can draw basic mind maps, add images and chat.

Personal presence[edit]

Despite all these technology options, meeting in a room, with a good, even inspirational, facilitator can generate an energy that is difficult, maybe impossible, to reproduce on line.

Reference[edit]

There is a good summary of information about these web-based products at mind-mapping.org – it was my main source.