Month: March 2011

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A call to mind mapping software publishers [Updated]

Many users of mind mapping software use it for project management (amongst other things).

Some mind mapping software has the ability to record task information, like start date, due date, estimated working time to complete, dependencies and percent complete.

In addition, some packages can give alerts on approaching or past due dates, make Gantt charts, and export data to Microsoft Project and Outlook.

Gantt chart for project planning and management

These are the mind mapping applications (and add-ins) I know of  that support Gantt charts:

  1. ConceptDraw MINDMAPS (Project version) and Office,
  2. DropMind (task info, no Gantt charts, but can export to MS Project).
  3. FreeMind (attributes can hold task info, no Gantt charts, but can export to TaskJuggler). [Update 28 Aug 2011]
  4. Freeplane (attributes can hold task info, no Gantt charts, but can export to TaskJuggler). [Update 28 Aug 2011]
  5. iMindMap4,
  6. MindGenius,
  7. MindManager,
  8. mind2chart (with MindManager),
  9. MindMapper,
  10. MindPlan (with Lotus Notes),
  11. Xmind Pro,
  12. MindView,

I have six questions to the publishers of mind mapping software (please reply in comments here or email from the “Send us an Email” link on the right):

  1. Can any software that stores task data, export it in a form that can be read by OpenProj? OpenProj is an open source package claiming to be a substitute for MS Project.
  2. Is there any software, other than those I have mentioned, that allows task data to be stored?
    I am aware that FreeMind and Freeplane can store attributes of the user’s choosing against a node, and could be adapted to do this, but for the purpose of this exercise, I am looking for software that is specifically designed to store project task information immediately on installation.
  3. If so, can it make Gantt charts?
  4. Can it export to Microsoft Project?
  5. Can it export to Outlook?
  6. Are there any errors in the list above?

[Update 1.  1 April 2011 (not an April Fool’s update)
Andrew Wilcox has pointed out that iMindMap4 has task info and a Gantt chart view.  Thanks Andrew.  I should have caught that, as my image above includes iMindMap5.  Now I’ve added it to the list.]
[Update 2.  1 April 2011   Questions extended.]
[Update 3.  28 August 2011   FreeMind and Freeplane export to TaskJuggler added.]

Vic

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More visual genius of Walt Disney

I’m sure you’ve seen the brilliant and ground-breaking concept map that Walt Disney drew in 1957. You should have, it’s been on Mind-mapping.org since mid-2008, but if you’ve missed it so far, it’s in our history article here: Roots of visual mapping.

Well, here’s another piece of outstanding visual thinking and communication apparently from even earlier – 1943 – and yet it looks fresh enough to have been designed yesterday: The Disney organization chart.  As it says at the foot, “This Chart Designates Operations and Not Authorities.”


Click the image to see the largest size I have.

Vic

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MindV – a new online mind mapper

MindV is a new browser-based mind mapper that uses Silverlight.  It has a ribbon interface and a surprisingly good selection of mind mapping functions for a version 1.0 product, with new features promised (more later).  There are one or two rough edges, but the user interface and feel when editing maps already make it more like a desktop product.

It should be useful for project management – basic task information and other items can be stored with each node:

  • Start and due dates,
  • resources
  • duration,
  • priority and completion flags. 
  • rich text notes panel
  • multimedia
  • URL attachments
  • local maps

If you have FreeMind  files (.mm) or MindManager files  (.mmap), you can upload these and it will display them in MindV.

Here’s an imported FreeMind file showing the original and a thumbnail of its appearance in MindV:

The original was not very beautiful, and MindV does a good job of reproducing it, other than the outline shape.  Next is a MindManager map as it appears after import.  It was a large map so many branches are minimized:

Again, a good reproduction of the original.  MindV cannot re-export to either FreeMind or MindManager formats yet, so no round-trip is possible, but MindManager export is expected “next month”.   There are already important export options though, and I’ll get to those later.

Maps can be saved to your ‘folders’ online, or locally as a .vmap file on your PC.  A .vmap file is  actually a compressed (zip) file, containing XML, XSD and an image of the map.  The XML file does not appear to be using a schema that other mind mapping software can use directly.

Online maps can be encrypted when saved, and made ‘private’ or public.  They can be shared with others for viewing or editing, according to how you set permissions.

Export options at present are to the following:

  • Text
  • Html in the form of indented outline text with bullets
  • PNG image
  • JPG image
  • MS Word
  • PDF document
  • MS Project XML
  • and the site can generate code for you to embed in a web page.  There’s an example at the foot of this post.

Maps are locked when a user is editing them, so even shared maps do not support simultaneous multi-user editing.  The developers say they plan to introduce this function around the end of this year. 

I am chatting with the developers via email and will update this post as things progress.

Vic

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Organisation charts with backing – OrgPlus

OrgPlus is desktop software for enterprises.  It is a visual front-end to an employee database back-end, with query functions to support Human Resources planning and, of course, organisation charts.

OrgPlus provides a useful blend of serious data manager and attractive visual presentation.

Vic

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Cogimap – first mind mapping app for Blackberry PlayBook

Before the Blackberry Playbook is even on sale, there’s a mind mapping app: Cogimap.  If the popularity of mind mapping apps on the iPad is a good indication, this one will be welcome to future PlayBook users.  I often see comments that the iPad is worth it just for the ability to map on the move.  But iThoughtsHD and iMindMap for iPad set a high bar.

Shockingly priced at US$1.99, its developer promises more features at the release of the Playbook.  To judge from the image, ability to export to MindManager and FreeMind are planned.

Vic

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