Mind Mapping

• 
  The Mindjet Blog

• New Mindjet Catalyst Fall Update Released!

  MichaelDeutch

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:01 pm

  Last night, Mindjet Catalyst received its first update! Here are some of the improvements that our team implemented to make your collaboration experience even better! Share your best thinking with everyone! We all know that sharing is good! We’ve made it easier in this release to do so, adding some new capabilities and fixing up some issues [...]

• Update: MindManager 8 for Mac Release Plans

  MichaelDeutch

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:34 am

  Our MindManager 8 for Mac beta has ended, thanks for your participation! We’ve received great constructive feedback from our beta customers and internal testing and usability teams over the last couple of months. Our goal is to create an amazing experience for you, our customers. In an effort to ensure this, we’ve updated our plan and extended [...]

• Getting Things Done with Mind Maps

  MichaelDeutch

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:17 am

  Last week, I delivered a webinar presentation to David Allen’s GTD Connect community. It was great fun to both create and deliver. I mapped out everything that I had wanted to accomplish including the entire content of the presentation. Then, I built my PowerPoint presentation using my map as a guide. For a full replay of the [...]

• Calling All Beta Testers! MindManager 8.2 for Windows Beta Release is Now Available

  MichaelDeutch

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:23 pm

  Are you up and running on Windows 7 yet? Want to leverage your touch screens and tablets to create mind maps? We’re getting ready to launch an update to MindManager 8 for Windows to officially support Windows 7 and multi-touch mapping. Our beta is already very stable, in fact, it has already been certified as compatible [...]

• What’s the Value of Visual Thinking?

  MichaelDeutch

  4 Nov 2009 | 9:03 am

  I’m a fan of David Armano’s work. Here’s a great presentation from the recent BlogWorld 2009 conference in Las Vegas. It’s a fast but worthwhile journey, exploring how to Get Visual in 4 M’s and six steps to Getting Visual… Dave starts your journey with The 4 M’s to Get Visual… Metaphor Model Metaphor + Model Mindmap Next, he walks through [...]

• 
  Mind Mapping Software Blog

• Using a mind map to overcome a negative bias toward new ideas

  Chuck Frey

  19 Nov 2009 | 12:02 pm

  Most people, when faced with a new idea, find it easy to identify things that are wrong about it or reasons why it won’t work. Psychologists call this a negative bias, and it seems to be hard-wired into our human brains. A survival mechanism left over from our caveman days, perhaps? The problem with negative bias in the modern world is that it causes us to kill new ideas far too quickly. To balance this tendency, we need to get in the habit of asking ourselves questions with a positive bias, like these: What is good about this idea? What is amazing about this idea? What is potentially…

• Mind maps, deconstructed – valuable or not?

  Chuck Frey

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:46 pm

  As you know if you have been following this blog for any amount of time, I like to survey my readers to find out what you need – so I can supply it! One of the themes that has come through loud and clear is that you want someone to deconstruct real-world mind maps, to give you greater insights into what works and what doesn’t. Here is my first attempt to create such a report, which analyzes a personal organizer map that I found on BiggerPlate.com. In this “Effective Mind Maps” report, I will walk you through each part of the map, explain how it was created,…

• SciPlore: An offshoot of FreeMind for researchers

  Chuck Frey

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:49 am

  Jöran Beel, a Ph.D. student who is studying mind mapping, recently created a specialized version of FreeMind – which he calls SciPlore – that gives it several additional features that make it very attractive to researchers. Specifically, it can: 1. Import the bookmarks of PDFs. If you drag and drop a PDF file into a mind map, all bookmarks of the PDF are imported. That’s extremely useful for collegiate research, where all of the sources you use in a paper need to be cited. It’s cool that this application automates that process. 2. You can add reference keys to…

• What do you need to learn about mind mapping in 2010?

  Chuck Frey

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:23 am

  2010 is just around the corner – less than 2 months away! Have you given any thought to the key skills you need to learn about getting the best out of your mind mapping software in the coming year? Please share your thoughts here. The better I understand your needs, the better I can develop content that helps to meet them!

• Inspiration 9 to offer new presentation view, other enhancements

  Chuck Frey

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:06 am

  Inspiration Software recently announced that it will launch version 9 of its flagship mind mapping software in January 2010. This program is still primarily focused upon and sold into the education market, but also offers some valuable functionality that business people will appreciate. Inspiration 9 will offer these new features: New presentation manager: For students who need to present their ideas in class, Inspiration 9 adds a new presentation manager, which will help them to quickly and easily create slide shows from their maps. The program will give students the freedom to add,…

• 
  The mind-mapping.org Blog

• Help boost mind-mapping.org ! [Update]

  Vic

  25 Oct 2009 | 4:13 am

  Please vote for mind-mapping.org at http://eg-search.net/enter.php?user=sun_vivi&desc=Mindmapping%2C+concept+mapping+and+info…&req=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mind-mapping.org%2F It’s at position no. 10 right now.  Help take this ads-free site to the top! Much appreciated – thank you. [Updated 31/10/2009: We've reached position #2 in terms of number of voters, so far, but the rating is the highest of all, as 4.8 out of 5.  Thank you gain.] Vic

• Creately, CUECards, MindDecider, SpicyNodes and Inflow

  Vic

  19 Oct 2009 | 8:37 am

  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,…

• Welcome to the ancient mindmapping-software vaults

  Vic

  18 Oct 2009 | 6:30 am

  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…

• Diagramic – text to diagram

  Vic

  17 Oct 2009 | 1:24 am

  Up till now, I’ve known of three text-to-diagram applications: Mappio, Text2mindmap and Diagrammr.  Now I’ve come across another: Diagramic.  I just added it to mind-mapping.org. It’s a little web-based application, and as it stands it is fun but only useful for very simple cases.   Here’s an image with data I took from a paper by Scavarda, Bouzdine-Chameeva and others, about causal maps: I made this with simple text like this: “Cognitive maps” -> “Undirected graphs” “Cognitive maps” -> “Directed graphs”…

• Tweet, tweet, tweet

  Vic

  9 Oct 2009 | 12:48 am

  Feedburner tells me I have well over 3,000 subscribers to my feed.  I was surprised when I saw that.  And humbled.  My posts are sporadic, and yet still people follow this blog.  Thank you folks! Now, please come and follow me on Twitter, and you’ll be more up to date, with between-post happenings.  You won’t find out what I had for breakfast, when I got out of bed, or if it’s been a bad day for Vic.  Just tweets about mind mapping software news and related topics. If you’re not using Twitter yet, you may be staying away because you think it’s all about…

• 
  The Mindmap Blog

• 5 Keys to Wealth and Happiness

  Chance

  21 Nov 2009 | 7:17 am

  Recently, I noticed a book on my bookshelf that I had not picked up in many years.  The name of the book is “Unlimited Power: A Black Choice” by Anthony Robbins and Joseph McClendon III.  I took it off the bookshelf and began flipping through the pages.  What struck me immediately was how profoundly the content of this book has shaped my perspective on life.  Many of the principles and concepts I’ve integrated into how I see the world. Another thing that struck me was the date I purchased the book.  On the inside of the book I had written “Purchased…

• Important Events in American History: A Mindmap

  Chance

  14 Nov 2009 | 8:41 pm

  There are some events in American history that have impacted Americans in very profound ways. As an American, some of these events I’ve experienced personally, such as the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks where I was actually living in New York City when it happened.  While others I know only through history books. All these events have shaped the psyche of a nation.  As I reflected on these transformational events, I was struck by the sense of struggle and progress – as well as the tragedy and the triumph. Below is a mindmap I created to visually represent these events (with dates):…

• Defeat Burnout and Stay Motivated: A Mindmap

  Chance

  22 Oct 2009 | 8:19 pm

  I read a great article today on one of my favorite blogs, ZenHabits.  The article talked about avoiding burnout and staying motivated. So often when you are driven to achieve that drive can easily turn into burnout.  This article talked about 12 ways to defeat burnout.  But more than that it provided some great ways to stay motivated. I created a mindmap to capture the 12 points from the article (click mindmap to enlarge): For a full explanation of the 12 ways to defeat burnout and stay motivated, read the blog post here. Related posts:The Questions MindmapThe Law of Belief…

• Mindjet for the iPhone

  Chance

  7 Oct 2009 | 5:28 pm

  Mindjet, the maker of MindManager 8, has recently launched a mindmapping application for the iPhone. I’ve recently purchased it and I can tell you from first hand experience it’s wonderful.  Here are some of the key features: Attach notes to topics – with hyperlinks to phone numbers, websites, e-mail addresses and other Mindjet maps Wirelessly upload/download maps from your Mac or Windows computer using your favorite web browser Auto align and arrange topics relative to each other Zoom and scroll in either landscape or portrait mode Cut, copy, paste, move and merge topics…

• The Mindsets: What do you believe about intelligence?

  Chance

  27 Sep 2009 | 8:38 am

  What do you believe about intelligence?  Do you believe that intelligence is fixed? That is, either you have it or you don’t?  Or do you believe that intelligence can be developed? Dr. Carol Dweck explores these two mindsets about intelligence in her book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”.  This is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill self-help book.  This is a well researched, thought-provoking book that explores how having a certain mindset determines how you feel about challenges, obstacles, effort, criticism, and the success of others. Dr. Dweck’s research…

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  Idea Mapping

• Reminder: Take the PMP Survey Please

  jamie nast

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:28 am

  For anyone who has ever considered taking the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam, please take this survey which takes less than 10 minutes. You may will a gift! Full details in previous post.

• Take Short PMP Survey and Enter to Win Gifts

  jamie nast

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:01 am

  PMP or Project Management Professional is one of the most valued credentials in project management. The PMP credential assures organization that employees are committed to project management. According to a 2005 article I found on the PMI (Project Management Institute) website: “PMI’s PMP credential is considered by many as the “gold standard” of global project management certification. This credential, which is ISO 9001: 2000 compliant, connotes the holder as one who has demonstrated the knowledge, experience and leadership skills required to competently practice project…

• MindManager for Projects- 1 PDU

  jamie nast

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:48 am

  On November 17 from 10:00am – 11:30am PST and again on November 19 from 2:00pm – 3:30pm PST Warren Arbuckle will be giving a webinar on using MindManager for Projects. In this online course you will discover how building and tailoring a Project Dashboard (PD) to meet your needs will raise both your and your team’s level of productivity, communication and collaboration. In this condensed version of Warren’s MindManager for Projects online course (10 PDUs), you will learn to blend a solid project management foundation with the cutting-edge, collaborative technology of…

• EUROREG Recap – Idea Mapping in Poland Part 1

  jamie nast

  11 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am

  For the second year in a row I had a wonderful experience in Warsaw, Poland teaching Idea Mapping and MindManager software to some of the highest ranking leaders of Poland’s public sector. I was invited to come to Warsaw by Dr. Karol Olejniczak who is an Assistant Professor at the  University of Warsaw. He runs a program called EUROREG — an Academy of Evaluation which is financed and sponsored by Polish Ministry of Regional Development and the European Union. Here are a few photos from the first day of class where they applied a learning model to learn to juggle, had and introduction…

• EUROREG – Teaching Idea Mapping in Warsaw, Poland

  jamie nast

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:38 am

  Last year I was invited to come to Warsaw, Poland in November of 2008 by Dr. Karol Olejniczak who is a professor at the  University of Warsaw. He runs a program called EUROREG — an Academy of Evaluation which is financed and sponsored by Polish Ministry of Regional Development. 2008 was the first year for this program, and each participant had to earn their spot. It ran 9 months and a group of 50 of Poland’s most brilliant civil servants met for 2 days twice a month. As part of this program I taught a 6-hour workshop on Idea Mapping, learning and the MindManager software program.

• 
  Applications of MindManager

• Group Brainstorming with MindManager

  Andrew Wilcox

  8 Nov 2009 | 11:38 pm

  It is easy enough to do individually but MindManager's power is in quickly assembling maps from individuals.Here is a suggested process:Plan: Let individuals brainstorm first. Then combine into a group map for a further session of group brainstorming.Group members creat their brainstorm map around the question, theme etc.Ask users to add their name as a resource to all topics on their map:Select All (Ctrl-A) > Task Info > Resource name (Tip: make sure they have unique name. First and surname is easy, if a little formal)Combine the MapsLink individual maps to a central map. Then 0pen Mulitmap…

• Analysing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Mind Mapping Software Applications

  Andrew Wilcox

  16 Oct 2009 | 1:53 pm

  You can do this as a solo effort with MindManager. You could invite a few people to your Mindjet Catalyst account to add their comments but they would mostly be MindManager users only. With MindMeister you can set up a map which can be edited by anyone as a no cost Wiki Map. If you want to edit the map below, you will need a free (and limited) MindMeister account.There are customers for all the mind mapping applications but not all the potential customers can access all the applications or justify or need all the features of the more sophisticated ones. This is not about deciding which is…

• Using the new Share function in MindManager 8.1 via Mindjet Catalyst

  Andrew Wilcox

  6 Oct 2009 | 8:32 am

  The latest version of MindManager 8.1 has a new button which Shares a map and allows you to edit a list of your Shared Content.This afternoon I quickly created a map of the WinACC (Winchester Action on Climate Change) web site because I knew it would be useful to me and hopefully to some of their users. This is a good example of a map that works well in this new process.Last week I published a map of Gordon Brown's speech to the Labour Party Conference. It has some floating topics at the top of the map. Unfortunately these get displaced to the bottom in the shared version. I don't want to…

• Sharing MindManager maps via Mindjet Catalyst

  Andrew Wilcox

  5 Oct 2009 | 10:29 pm

  Mindjet have launched Catalyst today. This is a new collaboration and publishing tool for MindManager users. It builds on the previous Mindjet Connect product. Existing users get a seamless transfer to the new product (I did).A new feature of Catalyst is an easy process for sharing maps with non-users via a browser. A click on the share button creates a copy or snapshot of a map from your workspace. This is made available for anyone to read and download (if you choose). The readers see the map in a full screen window (best to press F11 or View > Full Screen on your browser menu) which has a…

• Gordon Brown's Labour Party Conference Speech in a mind map

  Andrew Wilcox

  29 Sep 2009 | 2:14 pm

  I thought I would run an experiment today, listen to Gordon Brown's conference speech on the television, map it and publish it. What would it say that the script and the video do not say?My process was as follows:Prepare web export template - minor edits to a clickable imagemap export I have used many timesCreate a folder on my conferenceREACTION web space.Tweet that am I doing it.Start mapping and try to ignore other interruptions e.g. a tweet from Maurice asking if I was there?During the speech I posted the map 3 or 4 times. Also added a bit of fill colour to topics and changed the…

• 
  Litemind

• Beat Parkinson’s Law and Supercharge Your Productivity

  Luciano Passuello

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:20 am

  Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. Even if you are not familiar with its name, I’m sure you’ve fallen prey to Parkinson’s Law countless times… what can we do to escape it? Do You Recognize These Symptoms?

• 6 Productivity Principles to Live By (My Personal Productivity Manifesto)

  Luciano Passuello

  27 Oct 2009 | 8:48 am

• How Can I Make Litemind More Useful for You?

  Luciano Passuello

  8 Oct 2009 | 3:10 am

  Will you help me make this website better? Today, instead of providing new content, I’d like to ask you to speak your mind and take this quick survey. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes, and your feedback will give me invaluable ideas and insights on how I can make the website better for you. Two quick things about the survey: All 5 questions are optional. The more feedback I get the better, but feel free to answer only the questions you want. Also, the more thorough your answers are the better, but feel free to be as brief as you want. Any information you can…

• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

  Luciano Passuello

  25 Sep 2009 | 6:55 am

• Overcome Fear of Failure, Part II — 6 Powerful Strategies You Can Use

  Luciano Passuello

  9 Sep 2009 | 5:46 am

  In the first part of this series, we focused on building an effective mindset for overcoming fear of failure. Now it’s time to get down to action: here are 6 powerful strategies you can use to conquer fear of failure right off the bat. 1. Acknowledge Your Fear

• 
  Visual mapping

• SciPlore MindMapping

  13 Nov 2009 | 10:59 am

  Based on Freemind and free, SciPlore MindMapping is the first mind mapping tool focusing on researchers’ needs by integrating mind mapping with reference and pdf management. SciPlore MindMapping offers all the features one would expect from a standard mind mapping software, plus the following features for researchers: Adding Reference Keys Manually This feature allows assigning a reference key to a mind map’s node. This way, researchers can organize their ideas and reference to the origins. Adding Reference Keys (BibTeX) AutomaticallyMost reference managers (e.g. JabRef, BibDesk,…

• The Digital Leadership of Google

  23 Oct 2009 | 2:24 pm

  A few days ago I attended a very interesting Conference about Web 2.0 in Madrid, Spain. David Weinberger, co-author of the Cluetrain Manifesto and author of Everything is miscellaneous, spoke about Digital Leadership, he used the Google Acquisitions and Investment Map to highlight the elements of the Google's Digital Leadership, showing the map's legend that summarizes the Industries where Google is present and how there are inter-connected. See the image below.I made a simple Mindmap of those industries that are contributing to Google´s Digital Leadership.

• The Benefits of Collaborative Information Visualization for Management

  15 Oct 2009 | 5:44 am

  Very interesting video based on solid Research by the University of St.Gallen

• Video : Google Wave explained

  9 Oct 2009 | 2:19 pm

• Systems thinking and the visual mapper

  5 Oct 2009 | 1:47 am

  By Wallace Tait and Philippe BoukobzaSystems thinking, what is it? Well, a quick web search and you'll be offered all kinds of links to systems and information management sites. Our definition of systems thinking at the core level: “Systems thinking is a consideration of data, information and knowledge as independent yet interdependent processes”. Systems thinking is, in our experience, realized when one starts to use the tools, methods and mindset of Visual mapping to map out processes, and at the same time see the bigger systems picture.Think of systems thinking as you would view our…

• 
  IQ Matrix Blog

• The Luck Factor: Attracting Good Fortune

  Adam Sicinski

  17 Nov 2009 | 9:31 pm

  Free DownloadIQ Matrix GalleryMasterMind MatrixFAQ Introduction It is said that Lucky things ALWAYS happen to Lucky people. Furthermore, it is said that you are either born Lucky or you’re NOT. Luck therefore is either a part of who you are or simply “apart” from who you are, and there is nothing you can do about it. This perception of Luck was obviously formulated by those riddled with what they would call “Bad Luck”, and is therefore not a result of anything that we can consciously control. Or is it? Even though attracting Luck into our lives is something that…

• Life Coaching Mistakes

  Adam Sicinski

  19 Oct 2009 | 6:19 am

  Free DownloadIQ Matrix GalleryMasterMind MatrixFAQ Introduction Working as a Life Coach for several years I have learned from personal experience and observed the many mistakes that are made within my industry. These mistakes often destroy the Coaching dynamics between the Life Coach and Client and they can literally push people away from Coaching all together. Many of these mistakes are rather obvious and can be avoided rather easily, while others are very subtle in nature, however their impact on the process of Life Coaching cannot be underestimated. This blog post and accompanying Mind Map…

• 6 Life Coaching IQ Matrixes

  Adam Sicinski

  18 Oct 2009 | 1:59 am

  We would like to announce the release of 6 New Premium IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are developed for Life Coaching or Self-Coaching purposes. Each of these Mind Maps outlines how I go about Coaching a Client over the first 3 to 5 Life Coaching Sessions. They present effective strategies and techniques that lay down the foundations and groundwork for future meetings. Moreover, they provide me with a deep insight into the Client’s psychology and habitual patterns of behavior, which are critical if coaching is to be successful in the long-term. There are 7 IQ Matrix Maps within this series,…

• 8 New Premium IQ Matrixes

  Adam Sicinski

  16 Oct 2009 | 11:50 pm

  We would like to announce the release of 8 New Premium IQ Matrix Mind Maps that will help you develop the necessary skills and insights to excel in any field of endeavor. Many of these Mind Maps unlock critical segments and components of the MasterMind Matrix Chart and thusly enable a deeper understanding of the primary psychological forces behind all successful life endeavors. Brain Power Language of Love Lifelong Learning Manifestation Process Reframing Reality Spiritual Consciousness Unstoppable Motivation Visualization & Affirmations Below we present a short description of each IQ…

• The Seasons of Transformation

  Adam Sicinski

  4 Sep 2009 | 11:19 pm

  Free DownloadIQ Matrix GalleryMasterMind MatrixFAQ Introduction When we take the time to reflect upon the natural environment around us, we begin to observe a complex yet very beautiful world cycling through patterns, phases and through stages of transition. We also quickly realize that nothing ever stands still, that nothing ever maintains its current state, identity or shape for very long. In fact, all of Nature cycles through Seasons of Change and transformation, effortlessly and naturally – just like we Humans transition through psychological and physical states of transformation…

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  Peace of Mind

• New Take on 6 Thinking Hats

  12 Nov 2009 | 1:31 am

  There is continuing interest in Edward de Bono’s famous technique for structuring responses and reactions to ideas. In meetings or workshops it is often employed to evaluate an idea or proposal from different viewpoints. Typically the meeting will be divided into sessions, each with a unique focus. De Bono’s 6 different coloured hats provide the focus for each session, each coloured hat symbolising a specific perspective. In summary these are: White hat: neutral; fact or information driven; trends; no opinions; gaps in knowledge Red hat: intuition or gut reactions; feelings; emotional…

• Workshop Techniques – How to “Train” the Attendees

  9 Nov 2009 | 10:29 am

  If your facilitated workshop includes sessions where the attendees work in small groups it helps if you can give them early confidence in the technique you want them to use. Wherever possible meet the attendees before the day of the workshop and explain and demonstrate the techniques. It is even better if you can get them to practice also. However you will often only be able to explain the techniques on the day itself. Use the first session of the day to explain the technique and allow the attendees to practice it. It is important that this first session does contribute to the overall…

• IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

  23 Oct 2009 | 1:16 am

  Steve Rothwell has achieved re-certification by the International Association of Facilitators as a Certified™ Professional Facilitator. Facilitation is a profession rapidly taking its unique place alongside those of consulting and training.  This is a specialist skill that can help deliver improved results you need through a mix of leadership, process, coordination and coaching skills.  The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) was formed by a group of professionals in January, 1994 to develop and promote these skills. Since then the IAF has grown to over 1500 members in…

• Idea Wall

  7 Oct 2009 | 11:47 am

  A common approach to parking ideas and issues during a meeting or workshop is to write them up on a flip chart set aside for this purpose.  A couple of examples below.           How about if you want to take this further and actively encourage people to fill a whole wall with their ideas, issues and realisations?  The answer is to create an Idea Wall.   The Idea Wall should include headings or questions to prompt the participants or to help them better categorise their thoughts.  Including something visual such as a diagram, key word or graphic may…

• Mindjet Catalyst is Launched

  5 Oct 2009 | 9:21 pm

  Yesterday I had the pleasure of listening and watching Michael Deutch of Mindjet introduce the brand new Mindjet Catalyst - launched today.  Catalyst is Mindjet's latest offering in the world of online collaborative working. You will be familiar with many of the problems we face at work today.  We tend to work more in silos and less with each other.  We receive a lot of information but don't act on it.  There is a lot of communication but less collaboration.  The challenge is how to help people produce usable things that lead to real action. Enter Mindjet…

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  MindMapSwitch

• We're Back!

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:55 am

  So after a week of preparing content and amending our Wordpress design to work with Posterous we're finally back up and running. I imagine your all wondering why the need for a change of blogging platforms for MindMapSwitch.For the last 18 months I ran the blog using Wordpress on a rented server. It started out okay, but in the last few recent months I noticed a performance drag in the website. I also found that maintaining the blog along with all the plug-ins that MindMapSwitch used was becoming quite a chore. I signed up for Posterous a few months ago and already use it for my software…

• Bring Your Mind Maps Alive With Dimensions

  3 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

  Mind maps are always 2-dimensional affairs. They're always created on flat surfaces whether it's on pen and paper or using software. So how can add depth and dimension to your mind maps and give your mind maps an edge? Using simple drawing techniques, you can add extra depth to your mind maps so that they emphasize or highlight a particular branch or idea. Instead of me waffling on about these techniques, check out the mind map below. Right it's only 4 branches but these four branches represent 4 different techniques that many people don't use in their own mind maps. 3-D The world we live in…

• Mind Mapping Links – October 2009

  29 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  There's been lots of great articles in the mind mapping community this month. However instead of solely focusing on links in the mind mapping community, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight a few mind mapping articles that highlight the benefits of mind mapping and would serve as good starting points for those new to mind mapping. The My Child website has interesting article about how mind mapping software can be used to help kids with dyslexia. The article points out that dyslexic learners are often conceptual and very creative. As a learning aid, mind mapping software is being…

• Monsters in Cupboards: A Mind Mapping Exercise for Parents and Children

  28 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  Encouraging your child's imagination and creativity is something that some parents might overlook because the parents themselves don't feel they have imagination and creativity. This is a simple exercise that anyone can do with their children and the variations on it are only limited by the imagination of your children. Recently Paul Foreman created a mind map for children that asked "What would you do if there was a monster in the bed?". I said a few weeks ago that I would try this with my own son to see what his reactions would be and to see if how his imagination works. Using the popular…

• My Mind Mapping Tools of the Trade

  20 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  Last week I wrote a post on my personal blog detailing the tools I use for writing software. It never occurred to me that I also have a set of tools for mind mapping! As a mind mapper I think it's important to have a good mix of tools for mind mapping using both software and pen and paper. Software I use Mindjet MindManager 7 on OS X almost daily. I run a personal dashboard mind map that links to other projects and ideas that are located in group or individual mind maps. Having come from a Windows environment where I also used MindManager, the OS X version isn't as feature rich. Hopefully…

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  Mind Map Inspiration

• Using 5W 1H as a 90-10 Solution Finder

  Paul

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:48 pm

  Here is a simple idea that has the potential to create dramatic change. I love the 5W 1H format; a basic yet brilliant formulae for exploring ideas and planning. Who What Where When Why How 5W 1H fires the imagination and focuses your attention, yet I feel poor little “H” is outnumbered. When 5W takes centre stage the danger is that analysis can have you turning in circles; stuck in analysis. I feel H deserves more time. In fact, I believe 90% is fair. Perhaps the 5W 1H formulae could be re-written to 5W(10)1H(90) This is something I am experimenting with and I invite you to try it too.

• Your best is effortless

  Paul

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:28 am

  Your special powers The things you love to do in life flow with ease. Hard work dissolves and is replaced with passion and pride; the joy of being on purpose. If you discover what you love to do time is irrelevant to a degree; the joy becomes timeless, enriching your present moments. Your best expands and life shines through you. You feel content and committed to the task; fulfilled in what you do. Whatever you find natural to you, the things you enjoy and love to do is what fulfils you, inspires you and adds meaning to your life. You are special and you have unique talents; a blend of…

• Positive Thoughts

  Paul

  12 Nov 2009 | 11:59 pm

  Several years ago I decided to start repelling negativity. I realised it never solves anything and that if I ever thought I could solve anything through negativity I was buying into an illusion. It shifted my outlook on life dramatically. I began to contemplate the roots of negativity by enquiring into why it occurred and what lead me to think negative thoughts. I looked at how negativity becomes a habit; how beliefs and opinions can result in programmed reactions and how often negativity was a learned response. I began to take responsibility for what I was thinking and what I allowed in. I…

• Unity

  Paul

  11 Nov 2009 | 12:09 am

  Unity A single bird A single hand A single sky A single sun A single cloud A single moon A single star A single planet A single flag A single message Unity – one Related themes: Pulling the Planet Together & How to have World Peace Mixing Problems to find Solutions Shortcut to Answer Mind Map Peace Mind Map I hope you enjoy viewing my Mind Maps – there are hundreds more planned here at the Mind Map Inspiration Blog plus ongoing creativity and drawing tips. If you are not already subscribed, why not do so now via RSS or Email Also available: E-Books designed to help you create…

• Three new Mind Map Sets launched

  Paul

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:39 am

  The following Mind Map Sets have now been added: Creative Mind Maps Set – added to the Fun and Creative category Uplifting ideas Mind Map Set – added to the Happiness and Motivation category Letting go Mind Map Set – added to the Spiritual Advancement category Here is the full list of Mind Map Sets available: Fun and Creative Sets: SET 01 Creative Thinking Mind Map Set Topical Ephemeral or Practical Immortal Mind Map Theory of the Brain Mind Map Planning Ahead and the Bigger Picture Mind Map Sparking Ideas Mind Map What is Original Mind Map Bonus Maps: Thinking outside the…

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  Mindmapping everywhere

• Stock markets analysis through Mindmapping techniques

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

  One of the hobbies I am suffering is the stock markets observation. I do remember those times when I used statistical parameters in the University. In this case I observe several stocks in different markets to determine tendencies by means of exponential moving average in different periods of time and analyzing crossed among them. I keep track of what it is observed by using a mindmap.

• Business Plan Guidelines

  24 Sep 2009 | 1:48 am

  My business year tis about to end this month, so this is a very good time to prepare Business Plan for the coming year.I have written down a little map with guidelines worth enought to prepare my own Business Plan to be presented to top management.

• Habits from highly effective people

  14 Sep 2009 | 6:00 am

  Several years ago I read some notes about how to increase productivity, beginning from oneself. Based on these lectures and some experiences on my own I did quickly draw a quite simple map. This one is part of the remembrances I usally post.I am sorry cause it is in spanish, I will translate into english later on and perhaps in a colorful version.

• Capturing ideas everywhere

  9 Sep 2009 | 3:25 am

  In one of the last posts we have been talking a little bit about how to handle the multiple tasks effectively by using mindmapping.Similar concept to GTD (Get the Things Done) but of my own.One of the topics whenever you want to use mindmapping to control your work is how to capture the multiple ideas that are constantly popping up.This issue turns out quite easy when you are at the office, just get another new branch in your map and you write it down. What does it happen when you are outside "on the field"?I am not a proud owner of a mindmapping-inside application portable device, so I…

• Mindmaps usage from a different perspective

  3 Sep 2009 | 4:55 am

  One of the topics I would like to cover is how other users are taking the most out of Mindmapping techniques, either hand-made or software-made.In this particular case, I show the case from Deepak Ravlani, who is a Business Development Manager at a smartphone software startup, who has also a very interesting blog.Deepak is a newbie working with these issues, although he foresees great potential for him from these techniques.Here it is showed a mindmap coming from him, where he takes advantage of the different mindmapping features (and specifically of the different software tools) to have…

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  MindMeister Blog

• MindMeister goes live at TEDxAmsterdam

  Dan

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am

  Since it’s inception in 1984, the TED events have been all about “Ideas Worth Spreading”. Realizing that they couldn’t be everywhere all the time, the TED group established the TEDx program, which allows private individuals to organize, design, and host events that are meant to provide attendees with a TED-like experience. Tomorrow, another TEDx event will be taking place in the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. Similar to other TED events that take place around the world, the TEDxAmsterdam event has a full schedule in place with speakers ranging from the Minister of European Affairs…

• Scheduled downtime on Sat Nov 7

  Michael

  2 Nov 2009 | 5:17 am

  We’ll be launching some new features and also conduct a major upgrade to our servers this weekend, starting Saturday November 7 at 10pm (UTC) until Sunday morning at about 6am (UTC). MindMeister.com will be unavailable during this period. To figure out when we are offline in your time zone please consult timeanddate.com. Please avoid taking your maps offline with Google Gears before the downtime as we’re also upgrading MindMeister’s offline capabilities.

• Happy Halloween – 20% discount on all account purchases

  Dan

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:58 am

  You may have noticed that the front page of MindMeister is wearing it’s very own Halloween costume today (you need to be logged out to see it). While technically Halloween doesn’t get fully underway until tomorrow evening, we’re betting that there’s some trick or treating already going on in your office, classroom, or anywhere else you use MindMeister. And as is customary with events surrounding All Hallows Eve, we’ve got a bit of Trick-or-Treating going on at the MeisterLabs as well. There were a number of ideas bantered around the office (inverting all maps color schemes,…

• New MindMeister team member: Dan Taylor

  Dan

  12 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am

  Hi folks! No new announcements regarding the MindMeister service and/or our iPhone app. Rather, I’d like to take this space to introduce myself. My name is Dan Taylor, I’m an American living in Vienna, Austria, and I’ve recently started working with the team at MindMeister. I must admit, prior to sitting down with Michael and talking through what MindMeister is, and what you can accomplish with it, I hadn’t really used a service like this before. Fast forward just a few days, and I’ve started mapping out a few projects that I’m working on, adding timelines, due dates, priority,…

• Introducing free Geistesblitz app for iPhone / iPod touch

  Dan

  5 Oct 2009 | 6:22 am

  Post-It notes are great for jotting down ideas, one liners, and reminders to grab some milk on the way home, but they do have limitations. How many times have you dashed down a though or idea on a post it, cocktail napkin, or scrap sheet of paper, only to go searching for it hours or days later? I’m fairly certain we can all relate to this situation. Enter, Geistesblitz. Much more than just a note taking tool, our new free iPhone application, Geistesblitz brings a whole new level to your ‘flashes of genius’ with on the spot submissions and online organization and storage. Users can…

• 
  Manage Life

• A New Religion

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:36 pm

  Two new branches in economics called behavioral economics and neuroeconomics attempt to explain the recent financial calamity. To explain briefly, the crisis is due to old thinking patterns that existed when man was living in the Stone Age. In other words, certain mental patterns or heuristics are hard wired in the brain and caused the bubbles and busts in the real estate and stock markets. These wrong patterns of though or inner bias are seen in overconfidence, herd mentality and knee jerk reactions to new information. These reside more in the intuitive process of making judgments than in…

• Investment Experience

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:19 pm

  From: http://www.wordle.net/I assessed my modest investments in stocks, Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and unit trusts today. Mainly to see if I have enough to pay for my kids college education. The results are mixed; roughly break-even considering those that increased and those that decreased at this nascent phase of the market recovery. It’s roughly an even performance because of the diversification from unit trust to stocks. But I am slightly positive mainly because of the company stock that I bought at an employee discount. This meager investment kept me positive considering all the…

• Asian Angst

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:47 pm

  At my age one can’t avoid worrying about the future, about life, about family and about one’s kids. Anxiety and dread fills you that one has an urge to compensate by the easiest thing possible. Often times this means spending money, to buy better things for one’s family. Perhaps it is a larger home, an exotic vacation, a new car and other trapping of the material middle class existence. What is lost is something more meaningful, to be able to feel a sort of substantive spiritual worth. Is that what most American authors write about? The spiritual decay in the modern affluent…

• Weekend Flow

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:50 am

  During the weekend I watched most of the DVDs I borrowed from the library as well as finished reading overdue books by Rummler-Brache and an excellent tome on old houses. I watched a documentary on the Khumb Mela festival in India, inspirational videos from Dr. Wayne Dyer, Paul Newman’s movie ‘Hud’, Robert Altman’s ‘The Prairie Home Companion’ and an excellent Mira Nair film, ‘The Namesake’ adapted from the book by Jhumpa Lahiri. I have read Lahiri’s previous book, ‘The Interpreter of Maladies.’ I liked her work initially to learn about India and its people. But I now…

• Green Card

  10 Nov 2009 | 6:52 pm

  We got our permanent resident cards today. It’s the final step in settling here. I expressed my thanks to the lawyers and staff that made it possible. For most people, this would be the happiest moment imaginable to legally live here. The ease to which the cards where given shows that proper connection counts in achieving seemingly difficult goals. Some people I heard have resorted to things like fixed marriages, forged documents or just extending their visas to live here. But strangely I don’t feel any elation as it came without any contrived plans or seeming difficulty. It’s as if…

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  Assistive Technology

• Acrobat.com Now Integrates Tables & Presentation

  21 Nov 2009 | 6:55 am

  I have been following Acroabt.com since its inception and today Adobe has finally integrated their suite of services under one roof. Acrobat.com is an essential service for Adobe since it is tightly integrated into Acrobat 9 line of products. If you have a copy of Acrobat 9 you can easily upload your PDF files to Acrobat.com come and share them with others by providing them with a URL that is generated. Acrobat.com can also be used when distributing PDF Forms and becomes the repository for the information that gets submitted.The Acrobat.com Suite now includes Buzzword, a collaborative word…

• Service Pack 2 Available for MindView 3 Business Edition

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:20 pm

  While using MindView 3 Business Edition today I was alerted that Service Pack 2 was available for download from Matchware. After you install the Service Pack your version of MindView 3 should be at Version 3.160. There is also Service Pack2 for MindView 3 as well.This Service Pack contains the following changes: Service Pack 2: New Features: MindView now supports pen input as well as standard keyboard/mouse input.MindView now supports the use of SMART boards. Timeline view: The detail level of the Timeline now matches the detail level used in the Timeline Outline. This means that only…

• Second Generation Pogoplug™ Unveiled Today

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:52 pm

  Next-generation Hardware Design and Software Provide Enhanced Storage, Multimedia and Social Media CapabilitiesSan Francisco, Calif. – November 20, 2009 – Cloud Engines, Inc. unveiled the second generation of the award winning Pogoplug multimedia sharing device today giving consumers more flexibility to store personal content safely in the home and access, manage, and share it from anywhere on the Internet. The new Pogoplug hardware sports a new design boasting multiple USB ports supporting up to 4 external drives for expanded data capacity. The new Pogoplug also gives users improved…

• Uploading your Captivate 4 Videos to BlackBoard

  15 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pm

  While presenting Delivering e-Learning Assets in PDF Format at the DevLearn 09 Conference a question was raised as to how do you go about sharing your Captivate 4 projects on BlackBoard. Now that you can save your video projects as a PDF file it is easy to upload them to your BlackBoard course as a simple PDF file. But if you would like, you have the option of storing your video project as a zip file on BlackBoard which gets unzipped when your students click on the link. There are a couple of details which are important to note when uploading your Captivate projects to BlackBoard in a zip…

• DevLearn 09 Follow-up

  14 Nov 2009 | 8:13 am

  After nearly a week out of the office attending the Adobe Summit and DevLearn 09 Conference I'm back in my office catching up. I met some really wonderful people and really enjoyed the conversations we had about the state of eLearning. It was very exciting to meet up with professionals in this area who I have only interacted with online for the past couple of years. To say the least, we are living through some really interesting and exciting times when it comes to learning and how to capitalize on the power of the web for eLearning.I had over 50 participants at my session Delivering…

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  Thinking & organizing

• 3D Topicscape: New Beta for download

  21 Nov 2009 | 12:28 am

  If you're a Topicscape Pro Beta user, you can download a new installer with various fixes now. Please first login then download. You can go here for more information.Argey

• The 2D - 3D switch for Topicscape mind maps : Now in Beta

  9 Nov 2009 | 12:41 am

  After months of quietly beavering away, 3D-Scape has announced the availability of a Beta version of Topicscape Pro that adds a 2D option to Topicscape for users new to 3D or for organizing smaller, simpler bodies of information.Now Topicscape is even further ahead of the pack of software for mastering information overload visually.You can apply to be a Beta User to try out this new approach to organizing information. If you have no login information, please give us some information about your PC via the application for Beta User form (to help us support you better), and if your computer…

• The new 3D Topicscape Pro 2 goes live

  7 Apr 2009 | 7:40 pm

  A major upgrade to Topicscape Pro, the 3D information organizer and mind map software, has just gone live.Pro 2 lets you add tags to any item, filter according to your tags, grasp visually and even more quickly the way your information is organized, find controls more easily, and personalize each of your Topicscapes. There's a lot more. For all the details, see the “What’s new”.1. Did you buy Topicscape Pro in the last six months?If you bought Topicscape Pro after October 1st 2008, please email us from the address used for the purchase and we will send you a Topicscape Pro 2 license…

• Topicscape update and soon-to-be upgrade

  29 Mar 2009 | 11:22 pm

  1. Topicscape Pro - a new release 1.64 - is on line,      and2. The 'final beta' of Topicscape Pro 2.0 is also waiting for Beta testers to grab.We're hoping to have the upgrade to 3D Topicscape Pro go live very soon.The Topicscape Pro 2.0 final Beta now lets you choose a skin for each Topicscape, so you can see which Topicscape you’re working on immediately. There are 21 skins, each of which can be adjusted to taste. Oh, and there's a new skin, to make it 21 now.A few other things too. Check out the pdf file that has been updated since the previous beta…

• 10 Feb 2009 | 8:43 pm

  10 Feb 2009 | 8:43 pm

  A new Beta of 3D Topicscape has just come out, and there's an opportunity for keen mind mappers to sign up as Beta testers. In case you don't know, Topicscape is an information organizer that uses a mind mapping approach to let you build a 3D information landscape. If you're interested in giving it a try, Please go to the Beta application form and choose a user name and password … http://www.topicscape.com/applybeta.php Full details of Beta 2.0 are in a picture-rich document here:- http://www.topicscape.com/download/Topicscape-Beta-2.0-what's-new-for-you.pdf Argey

• 
  Roy's Mind Mapping Blog

• New Beta installer for Topicscape’s upcoming 2D/3D version

  admin

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:43 pm

  Fixes in this installer for 3D Topicscape Pro 2.5: Self-running demo problems fixed: -     Both 3D and 2D “How Multi-parent topics work” no longer stop working part way through. -     “How Multi-parent topics work” 2D only: Placement errors fixed. -     2D flight demo: Speed problems tuned. -     2D operations demo: Import: The contents list and Halo Help now appear. “Cone” corrected to ”bar”. Minimization and restore preview in Topic Center with some customization settings fixed. Some references in 2D to…

• Importing PersonalBrain™ files to Topicscape Pro Beta 2.5

  admin

  13 Nov 2009 | 1:13 am

  For those trying out new 2D/3D Topicscape Beta, we just added a note to the wiki about importing PersonalBrain files when using the Beta. In brief: If you can run the current live version of Topicscape (licensed or still in trial), import with that, then open the imported Topicscape in Beta v.2.5. If you don’t use Tags, Labels and Types in PB, import as usual in the Beta. If your live version trial has expired, and you do use Tags, Labels and Types in PB, download and install the Extended PB Import Installer. More on the PB import help page. Roy

• Topicscape Pro adds 2D to its mind mapping capabilities

  admin

  9 Nov 2009 | 12:36 am

  3D-Scape is pleased to announce the availability of a Beta version of Topicscape Pro that adds a 2D option to Topicscape for occasions when smaller, simpler bodies of information are to be organized. Unique?  Well Topicscape was already that, but now it’s even further ahead of the pack of software that organizes information visually. Just about all of the functions of Topicscape in 3D are accessible in the new 2D view – with the exception of the broad view of the landscape, and the “sense of place” that tells you where you are instantly.  On a small or simple…

• Diagrammr

  admin

  8 Sep 2009 | 3:22 am

  Have you noticed the serious shortage of ‘e’s recently?  Here’s another site, hit hard by the e drought: Diagrammr What it does is intriguing.  Key in a series of propositions and, if they are sensibly related, it will produce a concept map for you.  Here’s an example: (click to see full size) Click here to visit the full concept map in diagrammr itself.   You’ll see that the propositions all follow the form “concept1 linking phrase concept2“.  If a concept requires two or more words, you’ll need to join them with underscores –…

• Do mindmaps on a computer first or on paper?

  admin

  2 Aug 2009 | 9:56 pm

  This is a response to a Twitter question from @danieljohnsonjr, but it is an often-discussed subject, so here’s my take (140 characters was not enough!) I most often use a computer for the first rough-out of a mind map, because it allows for continuing change, growth and maximum flexibility.  But this is probably because most of my mind maps are for my consulting business or clients.  Often I mind map to organize a lot of information.  Or to track information as I research a topic on the web.  Here too, a computer-based map (or 3D landscape in my case) is best. But – but…

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  Attraction Mind Map

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  NovaMind Connect

• Grupp 8

  Christer E. Ohlsson

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:03 am

  Mindmap av Förväntningar på dagen och vad deltagarna kan bidra med. Mind Map: FörväntningarMind Map: Bidra med

• Marketing Tip: Using Mind Maps to Help Identify Target Consumers

  Troy McCaw

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:14 am

  So you’ve got the perfect product. Maybe it’s an all-in-one toaster, omelet fryer, and coffee maker. Or a telephone that auto-dials contacts at pre-programmed times, making that Sunday afternoon phone call to mom easier to remember.When brainstorming to come up with your target consumer, designing a flowchart linking potential consumers to the product will, no doubt, be useful. Mind Maps are an effective and creative way to design product-to-consumer flowcharts, and they can help facilitate the brainstorming process surrounding identifying your target buyer.Mind Map: Product: Video Game…

• Using Mind Mapping to Easily Organize Marketing Research Projects

  Troy McCaw

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:18 pm

  When undertaking any marketing research project, the first step the market researcher needs to take is to determine exactly how the project will be carried out. Questions such as: “Will this be a phone survey or a computer survey?”, “How many respondents will be surveyed?”, and “How long will the survey be in field?” are crucial to answer before beginning the research project. It is often at this step that researchers can get a bit overwhelmed; successfully organizing a research project requires the fitting together of many components. Mind Maps can provide an easy and workable…

• Using Mind Mapping to Present Marketing Research Findings to Clients

  Troy McCaw

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:30 pm

  Presenting the findings of a research study to the client is the apex of the entire research process. Figuring out how to present these findings in way that the client can easily understand, is, therefore, a crucial part of any market researcher’s job. One way to present these findings is by using a Mind Map. Mind Map: Main Research Objective: To Find Out How Well the Big, Beefy, Juicy Burger Performed Among Consumers on the Dimensions of Taste, Name Preference, and Intent to Buy

• Using Mind Mapping to Prepare Lesson Plans for Students

  Troy McCaw

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:08 pm

  One of the greatest challenges teachers face is preparing an engaging and enriching lesson plan for students. There are many tools teachers can use to make this process easier. However, few of these methods will contain the advantages found in Mind Mapping. Mind Map: Key Objective: That There Are 26 Letters in the Alphabet