Tag: Mindmapping software

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More Power to your mind maps

Project and to-do list management are related and major categories of use for mind maps in business.  This has resulted in a healthy market in add-ins for popular mind mapping software.

MindManager was first to add project management data attributes, and several add-in companies have exploited the data to make our lives easier when we track our daily tasks and projects.

Nick Duffill is an old hand in this field but recently he came out with a new add in: Power Markers.

Power Markers

This is an add in to pull lists from MindManager maps automatically, and the lists are based on specified criteria.  So you get the best of both worlds – the freedom of mind maps and the quick view of a filtered list.  But there’s more to it than that, because “markers” may give the impression of something that you add to show, say, the importance of a task or node, but “power” in the name comes from the fact that these markers constantly check against targets and provide dynamically-changing colour indications on your MindManager map of where urgent attention is needed: For example, a task that is past due, or one where attention is required because it is due soon.

As the days pass, you will see other branches on your mind maps change colour.

The lists:  Well, off at the side, you’ll find a new tab “Hot Lists” with the Power Markers-generated list, and that also changes day by day, and as you mark tasks complete, or perhaps change dates.

This looks like a valuable addition to the range of productivity add-ins for MindManager.

Vic

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Think and GraphMind

Think

Think is a Free Web App created using HTML5, Django, Google App Engine, and jQuery.  In Think you can create and view mind maps that are called thoughts.

Touted as a mind mapping application, as can be seen from the screenshot, this supports concept mapping structures that depart from mind mapping’s hierarchical form.

GraphMind

GraphMind is a Drupal module (Drupal is a Content Management System).  Notable is the fact that it can import and export FreeMind maps.

I have only found one screenshot, but if this can be taken as a good example, it appears that this is a left-to-right mapper that is closer to being a graphical outliner

Vic

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DIY Chart and TreeGX

I have just added an online chart maker and a mind map building component for developers to mind-mapping.org.

DIY Chart

DIY (Do it yourself) Chart is a web-based tool that lets users make charts from static or dynamic data.  It operates on-line and responds dynamically to changes in the data, without a need to reload the web page.  These are just a few of the chart-styles available:

The charts/graphs can be generated using any scripting language.   And you can embed charts in web pages much as you do with YouTube videos  – by just pasting in HTML code.

TreeGX

TreeGX is a WinForms component for VS.NET developers to embed in their products, when they want to represent tree or outline-format phrases in a mind map or bubble diagram format.  It is not a stand-alone product.

The web site says “Visualize decision trees, create mind maps and more”.

Vic

Please subscribe to the RSS feed for regular posts and
follow me on Twitter for in-between items about visual tools you never knew existed.

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A couple of significant updates for 2010

Happy New Year!  Gradually catching up – more to go though.

Topicscape Pro

The beta version of Topicscape I wrote about last month has now passed out of beta and been formally released as a live version.  2D and 3D views below.  I’m using this and liking it a lot.  Give it a try.

Freeplane

The alpha version I wrote about last June is now into a more stable release – it’s in beta.  I tried it and had one problem, but that turned out to be an out-of-date graphics driver, so it’s fixed.  Try this one as well and report any bugs to the Freeplane team.  The appearance of the map owes a lot to FreeMind, naturally, and it has a pleasant uncluttered interface.

Regards
Vic Gee  (@VicGee on Twitter)
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

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Up next: MOT, RTIME, Thinking Space update

New on mind-mapping.org this week: MOT, RTIME and better information about Thinking Space.

MOT

MOT is an interesting knowledge-modelling tool.  The MOT acronym means “Modelling using Object Types”. A knowledge model is similar to a concept map, except that it is based on a typology of links and knowledge objects.  There’s a MOTPlus, as well.  I have no pricing information for these yet.

RTIME

RTIME is a software requirements and development lifecycle tool with a MindJet mind mapping front end.  In fact there are two products: RTIME which connects to on-line service and is aimed at the enterprise and MyRTIME a single user version.

 

Thinking Space

This went into mind-mapping.org in September with very little information.  Charlie Chilton, its developer, emailed me with details of his new website, so now the entry for this free Android phone mind mapper is more complete.  Just in time for you to get it for your sparkling new Google Nexus One!

There are many more to go folks . . . I’m aiming to catch up over the next few days with all the new stuff that needs to go in the Master List.

Regards

Vic Gee  (@VicGee on Twitter)
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

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SimpleDiagrams [updated]

New at the Master List: SimpleDiagrams.

SimpleDiagrams There’s a plethora of diagramming apps – web-based and desktop – I have a couple more waiting to be added.  But SimpleDiagrams is different.  It aims for a neat but definitely hand-drawn look.  It’s written with Adobe Air, so is platform independent, and is a desktop application, unlike most of the newer diagramming apps I’ve seen.  It’s in the early stages of development, and worth keeping an eye on.  Reminds me of the drawings in Dan Roam’s “The Back of the Napkin”.

Finally, I’m playing with middlespot.com‘s MashTabs.  It allows web searching with visual results that you can drag into a sheet and organize by clustering.  Interesting but held back by the fact that to get something onto the page you have to find it with the Middlespot search engine, and the fact that you can’t draw or write on the same sheet (AFAIK).  It does allow clustering, which is good, but I’d like to be able to send a web page, that I found by other means, straight to a MashTab, not have to search for something I already have in a browser.

[updated: 1/1/10] Middlespot tweeted back to me that their tools page has a tool for adding to MashTabs outside the middlespot.com interface.  It works with Firefox, Chrome or Safari.  Doesn’t help me, as I mostly use IE8 but maybe that will be supported later. [/update]

MashTabs can be shared.

More soon.  I was lazy over the holidays and need to catch up.

Vic            (@VicGee on Twitter)

http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

 

Update: Vunotes used to be here but has disappeared.

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Topicscape wants more users for new Beta

Here’s a turnup for the book – 3D Topicscape goes 2D! (in beta so far)

2D-Topicscape

I’m a bit late mentioning this.  I’ve written before that I’ve been using Topicscape since its first beta.  I use it every day for organising files for most of my projects and reference notes. 

Now, Topicscape have a Beta out that gives a new option for viewing all the information stored in a Topicscape – you can opt to see it in 2D.  And you can flip from 2D to 3D and back again.   I’ve tried it and it’s very cool.

Topicscape is not hard to use, but I’ve seen occasional comments from people who don’t tune in to the 3D style.  The 3D scene is different from any other application, but I found it pretty instinctive from the beginning.  For those who didn’t see how the 2D field of cones and zooming interface allow a much improved view on their carefully organised information database, the new 2D option provides something that makes Topicscape worth looking at again.

The 2D view makes use of 3D video cards by giving a ‘swinging’ map that lets you see more in an angled view as you slide along it.  Altogether better than scrolling.

It’s hard to avoid comparing this 2D view with PersonalBrain, because it really serves the same market although the appearance is different.  Introducing 2D is surely aimed at encouraging the comparison, and it stands up pretty well.

To try the new 2D view now, you have to apply for a ‘Beta User’ account.  The Topicscape wiki has more information.

Regards

Vic Gee  (@VicGee on Twitter)
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

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Cogspace

Cogspace is not software available for download or use in making your own maps, but it’s an interesting attempt at 3D information presentation.

Cogspace1

Cogspace2

The sole example, covers limited knowledge domains on three axes.  Though not strong on visibility, it allows some dynamic exploration by rotation and the recall of text notes associated with the small topic balls.

Explore here http://www.cogspace.net/index2.html
It moved: http://www.michaelgaio.com/cogspace/ [Updated by Roy: 7 Feb 2014]

 

Vic Gee  (@VicGee on Twitter)
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Google

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Creately, CUECards, MindDecider, SpicyNodes and Inflow

I’ve done separate posts about two recent findings over the last couple of days: Diagramic and the filling in of a historical entry.  Time now for the remaining new items in Mind-mapping.org:

Creately

Creatley is a nice on-line diagram-drawing software with mind mapping as one of the type of diagrams supported.  It has a free version, and a Plus version with a rather special subscription scheme: Pay what you think it’s worth, provided you spare at least US$1/month!  Creately can make Flowcharts, Network Diagrams, Organizational Charts, UML Diagrams, Sitemaps, SWOT templates, Wireframes, UI Mockups as well as mind maps.

T370-3

CUECards

CUECards is a hierarchical information store based on a ‘card’ metaphor – something of an outliner.

T371-2

MindDecider

MindDecider incorporates a form of mind mapping and uses it as a framework for information gathering, analysis and calculation that leads to decision support.

T375-2

SpicyNodes

I’ve seen SpicyNodes described as mind mapping software.  It really is not, unless you’re prepared to build a web site for each mind map you make.  But it does use the hierarchical mind mapping style for connections between nodes. 

Spicy nodes is a new approach to web site navigation.  It would be interesting to see mind mapping software that could export the code needed to build a SpicyNodes web

T372-2

InFlow

Inflow is social and organisational network analysis software with many ways of displaying relationships.  It appears to be aimed at enterprises rather than individuals.

T373-1

Hope to see you on Twitter before my next post.  Visit http://twitter.com/VicGee and click on the Follow button on the left.

Vic
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

Google

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Welcome to the ancient mindmapping-software vaults

Did you know that unless you dig deep, you’re only seeing part of  mind-mapping.org?  If you click through to the link above, for now, you’ll see 284 entries.  Observant readers will see that the top line adds “from a total of 349”.  So what’s with the missing 65?

That’s where all the dead mind mapping and similar software packages go to their final rest.  If you want to see them, go to the “Refine software list” tab, uncheck “Current software” and check “Historical software.”  Then press “Show selected items.”  These historic items are retained in the list partly for completeness (the pack rat in me) but also for any researcher who wants to track the development of mapping software. 

Some are worth knowing about anyway, even now, because they may no longer be supported or sold, but be available for download somewhere.  Cayra is an example.  Others are totally dead because no information is available, the original site has gone, and no download sites have a copy (hello GNletting Mindmap!).

Down to the point of this:  Long ago I heard of software called EGLE Mind Mapper*. From then until last week I had no information about this software. In 2002 I wrote an email, it came back adressee unknown.

Then last week, Dr Dirk Hopper wrote out of the blue and sent me information and even an installer (the licence encourages copying and sharing). At last I was able to see the type of map it produces and include a screenshot. It can be installed on Vista and XP, and works, but I found it to be a little buggy.  That’s not surprising on Vista – it was probably written for Windows 3, or at best 95.

EGLE Mind Mapper

Now my inner nerd is satisfied!  One of the potholes in mind-mapping.org is filled in.

I often get unexpected tips like this and they nearly always make their way into the list eventually.  So do let me know if you know of anything interesting that should be there.

Vic (@VicGee on Twitter)
http://www.informationtamers.com/mind-mapping/
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

* This software is not related to ‘MindMapper’ from SimTech Systems.

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