Best Mindmapping Tool

e.calabio · 11-14-2009, 10:32 PM

Could anyone help me with what's the best business mind mapping tool? You could give me like a top 5 mind mapping tool and maybe a comparisons of the five. It doesn't matter if its free or not just as long as their great tools to use.

thunderbird · 11-14-2009, 10:53 PM

Free Mind is free, and certainly works well. Best, I don't know. Comparing mind maps you buy would involve shelling out big $$$ to compare (or the use of nefarious means to acquire said software). Frank Bruno has a nice Mind Map program going in his WSO for a mere $27 -- I've been using it myself, and like it.

kottke · 11-14-2009, 10:57 PM

I use FreeMind. It works well and is free. It does what what a mind map is supposed to do. To me, if you get to many features going, it can become complicated which goes against why I'm using a mind map to begin with - to keep things organized and simple.

Michael Stuart Kelly · 11-14-2009, 11:12 PM

I use Xmind. Also free (open source).

Basic functions are simple, which is where I am at right now, but it does a ton-load of other stuff, which is where I am gonna be later.

Lots of people who use it say it is better than Free Mind, at least prettier. I certainly think so.

Michael

e.calabio · 11-14-2009, 11:16 PM

I use Xmind as well but just want to know other people's opinion if there's a better one. Something that's good to use in the business area.

Rick Johansson · 11-14-2009, 11:20 PM

I use Mindjet's Mindmanager. It's expensive but I love the interface and (based on my experience) is more robust than the others I've tried.

Rick

nicholasb · 11-15-2009, 12:15 AM

I dont know if it's he best but I use bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online

Fox30 · 11-15-2009, 12:31 AM

I second Mindjets Mindmanager. It's awesome.

Tinkerbell · 11-15-2009, 12:38 AM

I used Freemind to map out a course I'm working on. It's easy to learn to use.

Richard Odell · 11-15-2009, 06:12 AM

Forget the mind-mapping stuff, this is free and far more powerful...

Compendium a software tool for mapping information, ideas and arguments.

Cooooool!

-Rich

Michael Stuart Kelly · 11-15-2009, 10:34 AM

Richard,

That thing actually is cool. And I only watched the first video so far.

I'm a writer and this looks like it already fits me to a tee. From what I have seen, once I have learned it properly, I can even clean up some of the clutter in my mind.

Thank you.

Michael

Richard Odell · 11-15-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Stuart Kelly

Richard,

That thing actually is cool. And I only watched the first video so far.

I'm a writer and this looks like it already fits me to a tee. From what I have seen, once I have learned it properly, I can even clean up some of the clutter in my mind.

Thank you.

Michael

Michael its a phenomenally useful tool. It goes far beyond what mind mapping can do.

The ability to pull in files, add hyper-links and add references, makes this such a power tool for research and decision making!

You can see why the likes of NASA and the Hewlett foundation are active supporters of it.

This tool saves so much time its unreal - highly recommended!

-Rich

stiznef · 11-18-2009, 02:02 PM

Check out the brain dot com.

It's pretty cool too.

Jason Ong · 11-19-2009, 03:50 AM

If you like Buzan style mind mapping, there's iMindMap.

Mind Mapping by Tony Buzan - iMindMap Official Mind Map Software

Colin Theriot · 11-19-2009, 09:15 AM

When I first learned what mind maps were, there wasn't any software for it. Being sort of meta-ADD (not diagnosed, just lack focus) I adopted it into the way I take notes, even back in school. It's sort of part doodles, part shorthand, lots of illustrations of ideas (I went to art school)...

The point is, I think a lot of mind map software really is just "an outline, but not a list" kind of software. It really doesn't "map" anything the way a real mind-map does. To me, a mind map is more about actually mapping out inter-related ideas in your head in order to either crystalize the connections there so you remember better, or spot "gaps" where you can strengthen or create new connections in order to better understand your subject.

In order for someone to make a "mind map" that another person can even comprehend just very much limits its usefulness, because it's no longer a map of your own mind.

If I was going to try to make a point to this comment, I guess it's that if you think mind mapping is just a neat way to make an outline, you're missing out on the most deeply stimulating and productive part of the exercise.

The brain is basically just a big pattern recognition computer that takes input from the senses and interconnects that input with abstract ideas and fragmentary memories to make up what we consider to be "experience" as we are able to recall it after it's already happened. This is not just theoretically true, but PHYSICALLY true as well. It's been proven that an idea can reside in a single neuron, and that the connections between neurons are literally what connect ideas. Smarter people's brains are actually denser due to the increase of connections between neurons.

Mind mapping is a way to extend that system which your brain uses onto an external storage and viewing space. It's like quantum computing - you can use resources outside your brain to extend its capacity and functionality.

I can still grab old college notebooks that are 10+ years old now, and they would look like doodles and weird diagrams to anyone else, but I can remember perfectly what class they're from, who taught it, even in some cases, what happened that day. Because all of those things are integrated into the map - placing new ideas I learned into the context of something that happened to me at lunch, etc.

Anyway - with that being said, the best mind-mapping tool is YOU, a pencil and some paper. If you MUST do it on a computer (and I dosometimes) I use a Wacom drafting tablet and photoshop.

Typing things into a mind-map software totally disengages the bridge between the creative and analytical mind that mapping was created to preserve. At least, that's how it's been when I've used it.

Hope that helps, even though it was probably useless to the OP.

Shannon Herod · 11-19-2009, 10:08 AM

I use Mindjet Mindmanager and mindberry for my blackberry storm.

mgkimsal · 11-21-2009, 03:53 PM

Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister

There's a free option and a pay option.

In both of the you can import and export FreeMind maps. I've used this to send my freemind map to colleagues, have them make mods, then let me export it back to my local freemind. Worked great.

marklyford · 11-21-2009, 05:35 PM

I have used Novamind for 3 plus years off and on. It isnt cheap but its great cross platform software ( Im a Mac user ) They are just bringing version 5 out which looks like its going to be awesome.

Just my 2 cents.

Sassee2 · 11-22-2009, 11:52 AM

I'm a Mac user and I've used freemind and mindjet - will check out some of the other mentions.

tj · 11-22-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryan85

What about tools that can be used to draw Process Maps? Any good FREE ones out there?

According to your signature

"Follow Me On Twitter, And You'll Make A Million Dollars Instantly

"

you can afford also Payware

Timo

keithng · 11-23-2009, 08:34 AM

I been using mindmeister.com lately, worth a try ...

infiniteperspectives · 11-25-2009, 12:35 PM

Does anyone know if any of these come with a good image library? From my experiences good images are the key to great mindmaps.

Frank Bruno · 11-25-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniteperspectives

Does anyone know if any of these come with a good image library? From my experiences good images are the key to great mindmaps.

Sent you a pm.

Frank Bruno

Joshua Aikens · 11-25-2009, 12:52 PM

I use Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister and have been very happy with them. Sorry I can't give a top 5, this is the only one I've tried and it works great. Although reading this thread has caused me to rethink how I use this tool and possibly look for other options as well.

JNFerree · 11-28-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Stuart Kelly

I use Xmind. Also free (open source).

Basic functions are simple, which is where I am at right now, but it does a ton-load of other stuff, which is where I am gonna be later.

Lots of people who use it say it is better than Free Mind, at least prettier. I certainly think so.

Michael

I'd have to agree with Michael. XMind is easy to learn, clean UI and the Free version is adequate for most users, although I think once I get more proficient with the comp copy, I'll pony up the $49 for the paid version so I can export to PDF, PPT and have more share option avail.

Here's my latest XMind Map production.

JNFerree · 11-29-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e.calabio

Could anyone help me with what's the best business mind mapping tool? You could give me like a top 5 mind mapping tool and maybe a comparisons of the five. It doesn't matter if its free or not just as long as their great tools to use.

I found this 411 and thought it might give you a decent reference point

Four Open Source Mind Mapping Apps to Keep You Focused Four Open Source Mind Mapping Apps to Keep You Focused

John A Goodwin · 11-29-2009, 10:33 PM

I use Mindjet Mindmanager, haven't tried any other software.

11-14-2009, 10:32 PM	#1
e.calabio e.calabio Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking	Best Mindmapping Tool Could anyone help me with what's the best business mind mapping tool? You could give me like a top 5 mind mapping tool and maybe a comparisons of the five. It doesn't matter if its free or not just as long as their great tools to use.

11-14-2009, 10:53 PM	#2
thunderbird Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada. Posts: 797 Thanks: 344 Thanked 492 Times in 371 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Free Mind is free, and certainly works well. Best, I don't know. Comparing mind maps you buy would involve shelling out big $$$ to compare (or the use of nefarious means to acquire said software). Frank Bruno has a nice Mind Map program going in his WSO for a mere $27 -- I've been using it myself, and like it.

11-14-2009, 10:57 PM	#3
kottke Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: , , . Posts: 95 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use FreeMind. It works well and is free. It does what what a mind map is supposed to do. To me, if you get to many features going, it can become complicated which goes against why I'm using a mind map to begin with - to keep things organized and simple.

11-14-2009, 11:12 PM	#4
Michael Stuart Kelly HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Evanston, IL, USA. Posts: 173 Thanks: 74 Thanked 258 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Xmind. Also free (open source). Basic functions are simple, which is where I am at right now, but it does a ton-load of other stuff, which is where I am gonna be later. Lots of people who use it say it is better than Free Mind, at least prettier. I certainly think so. Michael
	Know thyself...

11-14-2009, 11:16 PM	#5
e.calabio e.calabio Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Xmind as well but just want to know other people's opinion if there's a better one. Something that's good to use in the business area.

11-14-2009, 11:20 PM	#6
Rick Johansson Expert of HONEST Income War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 33 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Mindjet's Mindmanager. It's expensive but I love the interface and (based on my experience) is more robust than the others I've tried. Rick

11-15-2009, 12:15 AM	#7
nicholasb Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 1,910 Thanks: 85 Thanked 677 Times in 253 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I dont know if it's he best but I use bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online
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11-15-2009, 12:31 AM	#8
Fox30 Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: California Posts: 512 Thanks: 58 Thanked 80 Times in 31 Posts Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I second Mindjets Mindmanager. It's awesome.

11-15-2009, 12:38 AM	#9
Tinkerbell The Idea Fairy War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Here and there. Posts: 917 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 183 Thanked 295 Times in 56 Posts Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I used Freemind to map out a course I'm working on. It's easy to learn to use.
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11-15-2009, 06:12 AM	#10
Richard Odell Has left the building... War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,433 Thanks: 525 Thanked 216 Times in 172 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Forget the mind-mapping stuff, this is free and far more powerful... Compendium a software tool for mapping information, ideas and arguments. Cooooool! -Rich

11-15-2009, 10:34 AM	#11
Michael Stuart Kelly HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Evanston, IL, USA. Posts: 173 Thanks: 74 Thanked 258 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Richard, That thing actually is cool. And I only watched the first video so far. I'm a writer and this looks like it already fits me to a tee. From what I have seen, once I have learned it properly, I can even clean up some of the clutter in my mind. Thank you. Michael
	Know thyself...

11-18-2009, 02:02 PM	#13
stiznef Never Quit! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 63 Thanks: 33 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Check out the brain dot com. It's pretty cool too.
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11-19-2009, 03:50 AM	#14
Jason Ong Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 26 Thanks: 4 Thanked 16 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool If you like Buzan style mind mapping, there's iMindMap. Mind Mapping by Tony Buzan - iMindMap Official Mind Map Software
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11-19-2009, 09:15 AM	#15
Colin Theriot caveat lector,emptor fiet War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 657 Thanks: 133 Thanked 607 Times in 262 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool When I first learned what mind maps were, there wasn't any software for it. Being sort of meta-ADD (not diagnosed, just lack focus) I adopted it into the way I take notes, even back in school. It's sort of part doodles, part shorthand, lots of illustrations of ideas (I went to art school)... The point is, I think a lot of mind map software really is just "an outline, but not a list" kind of software. It really doesn't "map" anything the way a real mind-map does. To me, a mind map is more about actually mapping out inter-related ideas in your head in order to either crystalize the connections there so you remember better, or spot "gaps" where you can strengthen or create new connections in order to better understand your subject. In order for someone to make a "mind map" that another person can even comprehend just very much limits its usefulness, because it's no longer a map of your own mind. If I was going to try to make a point to this comment, I guess it's that if you think mind mapping is just a neat way to make an outline, you're missing out on the most deeply stimulating and productive part of the exercise. The brain is basically just a big pattern recognition computer that takes input from the senses and interconnects that input with abstract ideas and fragmentary memories to make up what we consider to be "experience" as we are able to recall it after it's already happened. This is not just theoretically true, but PHYSICALLY true as well. It's been proven that an idea can reside in a single neuron, and that the connections between neurons are literally what connect ideas. Smarter people's brains are actually denser due to the increase of connections between neurons. Mind mapping is a way to extend that system which your brain uses onto an external storage and viewing space. It's like quantum computing - you can use resources outside your brain to extend its capacity and functionality. I can still grab old college notebooks that are 10+ years old now, and they would look like doodles and weird diagrams to anyone else, but I can remember perfectly what class they're from, who taught it, even in some cases, what happened that day. Because all of those things are integrated into the map - placing new ideas I learned into the context of something that happened to me at lunch, etc. Anyway - with that being said, the best mind-mapping tool is YOU, a pencil and some paper. If you MUST do it on a computer (and I dosometimes) I use a Wacom drafting tablet and photoshop. Typing things into a mind-map software totally disengages the bridge between the creative and analytical mind that mapping was created to preserve. At least, that's how it's been when I've used it. Hope that helps, even though it was probably useless to the OP.
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11-19-2009, 10:08 AM	#16
Shannon Herod Focused2Win.com War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida , USA. Posts: 2,355 Blog Entries: 18 Thanks: 73 Thanked 519 Times in 231 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Mindjet Mindmanager and mindberry for my blackberry storm.
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11-21-2009, 03:53 PM	#17
mgkimsal HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 242 Thanks: 17 Thanked 37 Times in 31 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister There's a free option and a pay option. In both of the you can import and export FreeMind maps. I've used this to send my freemind map to colleagues, have them make mods, then let me export it back to my local freemind. Worked great.
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11-21-2009, 05:35 PM	#18
marklyford Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 606 Thanks: 317 Thanked 83 Times in 61 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I have used Novamind for 3 plus years off and on. It isnt cheap but its great cross platform software ( Im a Mac user ) They are just bringing version 5 out which looks like its going to be awesome. Just my 2 cents.
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11-22-2009, 11:52 AM	#19
Sassee2 Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I'm a Mac user and I've used freemind and mindjet - will check out some of the other mentions.

11-23-2009, 08:34 AM	#21
keithng > Live Life Passion < Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: KL Posts: 53 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I been using mindmeister.com lately, worth a try ...
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11-25-2009, 12:35 PM	#22
infiniteperspectives Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool Does anyone know if any of these come with a good image library? From my experiences good images are the key to great mindmaps.

11-25-2009, 12:52 PM	#24
Joshua Aikens Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. George Utah Posts: 32 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister and have been very happy with them. Sorry I can't give a top 5, this is the only one I've tried and it works great. Although reading this thread has caused me to rethink how I use this tool and possibly look for other options as well.
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11-29-2009, 10:33 PM	#27
John A Goodwin John A. Goodwin War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA Posts: 366 Thanks: 10 Thanked 44 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Best Mindmapping Tool I use Mindjet Mindmanager, haven't tried any other software.