Mindmeister (www.mindmeister.com ) is the coolest thing to happen to mind mapping since, well… since mind mapping software was created.
For those who don’t know, mind mapping is a way of outlining your ideas, thoughts and lists into an easy to understand visual. It allows you to group thoughts, attach notes, and define with icons.
Personally, I can’t live without mind maps. Whether it’s outlining a new web site or brainstorming on our next eBook, mind maps help me keep all my thoughts in one location and in an organized manner. They help you see the “big picture”.
Up until now, mind mapping software was just that… software. You could share maps, but it was difficult and many times required a special viewer. Collaboration was very limited, if available at all, and outside of the open-source Freemind, the software could run from $100 to $300 or more.
Introducing Mindmeister
The mind map above was created in Mindmeister, and thanks to the collaboration abilities and publishing functionality, I had it placed within the blog post with a few mouse clicks.
Currently, there are few people collaborating on this mind map and if you would like to be one of them, drop a comment below and I will invite you!
Current collaborators:
- www.keymc.net
- www.n-re-k.com
- R. Alexander
This requires only flash to use. Mindmeister is all DHTML/CSS and JavaScript. No plug-ins required.
What else can it do?
First off, I want to say that Mindmeister has not asked us to write any of this. We are just impressed and like to share great creations.
- Maps can be saved for both private and public viewing
- Collaboration is easily achieved through an invite system
- Never worry about loosing your maps or using different computers, they are all online
- Connect through Skype while directly while you are collaborating
- Get notifications through email and/or Twitter of map updates
- Easily included in blogs and web pages (they provide the code snippet)
- Import mind maps from Freemind and MindJet MindMapper
- Take notes and use icons
- Automatically saves your maps and keeps a history of changes
- The basic package is free
Yes, MindMeister is one of the best, but it’s hardly the only one.
These are the other on-line mind mapping apps that I know of: bubbl.us, bubble-mind.com, comapping.com, glinkr.net, kayuda.com,
mapio.com, mapul.com, mind42.com, mindomo.com, wisemapping.com, webofweb.net. And the rather special wikimindmap.org that builds mind maps from wikimedia articles.
There are several free generic diagramming tools that have built-in functions to help with mind maps as well.
Regards
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software
Great stuff Vic! Thanks for the addition.