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Mindmap users... I would be interested in feedback.

by Tom B Banned
26 replies
Well hello.. thanks for stopping by.

I was hoping to get some feedback from the mindmap users in our community. Particularly how you use mindmaps in your day to day activities and how the process of mindmapping has helped you.

Also, if you have a particular software you love and what about it made you love it.

Dump all your thoughts here if you don't mind. I was hoping to see any and all ideas you have on mindmapping which is why I didn't ask too many questions.
#feedback #interested #mindmap #users
  • Profile picture of the author Taniwha
    Paul Myers (a mod here) has some incredibly detailed mind-maps, albeit for sale. Haven't seen him post for a a while though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Taniwha View Post

      Paul Myers (a mod here) has some incredibly detailed mind-maps, albeit for sale. Haven't seen him post for a a while though.
      Thanks Taniwha. Do you find it easier learning from mindmaps like Paul's?
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  • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
    I have tried mindmaps repeatedly and absolutely hate them. Without a huge format printer, like an architect uses, the ones I have seen require constant scrolling and I still lose track of what's being presented.
    Signature

    Robin



    ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by RobinInTexas View Post

      I have tried mindmaps repeatedly and absolutely hate them. Without a huge format printer, like an architect uses, the ones I have seen require constant scrolling and I still lose track of what's being presented.
      Thanks Robin! I appreciate the feedback.

      Yeah, you can get lost in the more extravagant maps. Some have a quirky navigation to them so I can see your point of view.

      When you talk about presented, do you mean presented in a webinar or is this just you working through the mindmap?

      It sounds like you would rather print it off and work from paper.
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      • Profile picture of the author WikiWarrior
        I've been using mindmaps for 5+ years, specifically Mindmeister, an online software tool. I have about 7 maps currently, that help me keep my ideas organised.

        How I use mindmaps:

        1) 1 map I use for idea dumping - business ideas, interesting keywords, domain name ideas.
        2) 1 map I use as a sort of C.V. to list my skills, strengths, passions, niches I'm most interested in, habits I'm trying to cultivate etc. I also put a personal mission statement there for each year. Every now and then when I feel I'm going off course in my business or losing motivation, I just look at this map to re-centre myself.
        3) Another mindmap has a "spoke" for each of my main websites I'm working on. Each one has a few more spokes listing my next actions I need to take, like a to-do list.
        4) For some of my websites I have individual mindmaps, where I've fleshed out my ideas with details on what I want to offer people, seeing where the value is, USP, monetization methods, to-do's.

        What I love about using mindmaps is that it keeps all my ideas organised so they don't take up mental space and I don't feel like I need to think about them constantly. This is something I found really useful when I ran my own mail-order business years ago. At the end of each day I'd write a list on a paper notepad of all the things I needed to do the following day. I found that once I had "dumped" all these thoughts on paper, I could finish work and forget about it, confident in the fact my notepad had everything stored. I still keep a notepad and the mindmaps have become an extension of this for higher level/project level stuff.

        The only possible drawback of mindmaps is if you make them too complex to see everything, as Robin mentioned above. I keep mine very compact and if something goes off the page I can always just create a new mindmap, and link from the old one.

        I use Mindmeister because it's really easy to use, the developers are always updating it, it's colourful, with icons and font/background colours etc, lots of useful features like each spoke having it's own tooltip notepad, and it's cheap.

        As a learning tool I think a process map would be better than a mindmap.
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        • Profile picture of the author Tom B
          Banned
          Awesome feedback WikiWarrior. Thanks a lot!
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          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            I primarily use them as an outlining tool. Trying to do traditional outlines while also accommodating the flashes of inspiration either gets very messy or things get lost. With the mind map, I can just loop back and point at something.

            Truth be told, my favorite tool for mind mapping is still a pencil and a blank sheet of paper. For some reason, the manual connection from hand to brain flows more easily for me. I've tried several software programs, but keep going back to my #2 pencil and a sheet of sketching paper.

            Something I may try in the future is using mindmap software with a graphics tablet and stylus, maybe get the best of both worlds.
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            • Profile picture of the author Tom B
              Banned
              Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

              I primarily use them as an outlining tool. Trying to do traditional outlines while also accommodating the flashes of inspiration either gets very messy or things get lost. With the mind map, I can just loop back and point at something.

              Truth be told, my favorite tool for mind mapping is still a pencil and a blank sheet of paper. For some reason, the manual connection from hand to brain flows more easily for me. I've tried several software programs, but keep going back to my #2 pencil and a sheet of sketching paper.

              Something I may try in the future is using mindmap software with a graphics tablet and stylus, maybe get the best of both worlds.
              Thanks John!

              I started using mindmaps in the same way. Mainly mapping out functions for a software program I wanted to create. It helped me visualize quickly how I wanted things to connect and flow.

              I ended up going back to my diagrams more and more using them as a way to stay productive and keep track of progress. I had always looked at it as a way to work through ideas but the way I use them and want to use them has evolved quite substantially now.
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              • Profile picture of the author Lance K
                I've used software in the past. SmartDraw and a couple of others that I don't remember the names of off the top of my head.

                Now I just use pencil and paper or a whiteboard. I like using a whiteboard when fleshing out a new project. When I'm done, I just snap a picture with my phone so I can have a digital copy to review on my tablet or laptop. I typically don't add to my mind maps over time so this works for me. If I do happen to expand on the project in the future, I just make a separate mind map on the whiteboard and save the new image in the project file.

                Another thing I've noticed is that I tend to be more focused when I get out from behind the computer screen and actually draw/write my mind maps out by hand.

                Also, the learning curve for effective use of a whiteboard & dry erase markers or a pencil & paper aren't all that steep.
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                "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
                ~ Zig Ziglar
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                • Profile picture of the author Tom B
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by Lance K View Post

                  I've used software in the past. SmartDraw and a couple of others that I don't remember the names of off the top of my head.

                  Now I just use pencil and paper or a whiteboard. I like using a whiteboard when fleshing out a new project. When I'm done, I just snap a picture with my phone so I can have a digital copy to review on my tablet or laptop. I typically don't add to my mind maps over time so this works for me. If I do happen to expand on the project in the future, I just make a separate mind map on the whiteboard and save the new image in the project file.

                  Another thing I've noticed is that I tend to be more focused when I get out from behind the computer screen and actually draw/write my mind maps out by hand.

                  Also, the learning curve for effective use of a whiteboard & dry erase markers or a pencil & paper aren't all that steep.
                  Great idea on taking a picture. I wouldn't have thought about doing that. I do like whiteboards just for the fact it feels like you're looking at it from a different angle compared to a computer screen.
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            • Profile picture of the author knishida
              Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

              Truth be told, my favorite tool for mind mapping is still a pencil and a blank sheet of paper. For some reason, the manual connection from hand to brain flows more easily for me. I've tried several software programs, but keep going back to my #2 pencil and a sheet of sketching paper.

              Something I may try in the future is using mindmap software with a graphics tablet and stylus, maybe get the best of both worlds.
              I agree with JohnMcCabe re: personally using pen and paper for brainstorming. For me it must be something about the sensory experience.

              I have used mind mapping for outlining and brainstorming product ideas and courses. But when putting together teaching/training materials, I often use PowerPoint presentations or old fashioned outlines.

              However, I have been getting feedback that my students love learning from mind-maps vs. outlines, so I have experimented with different programs.

              Many of my colleagues use and love Freemind, but for some reason, I just can't get the hang of it.

              The program I have been using and loving lately is the free version of XMind. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Pro version soon.

              Kim
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      • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
        Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

        Thanks Robin! I appreciate the feedback.

        Yeah, you can get lost in the more extravagant maps. Some have a quirky navigation to them so I can see your point of view.

        When you talk about presented, do you mean presented in a webinar or is this just you working through the mindmap?

        It sounds like you would rather print it off and work from paper.
        The ones I've seen, only allow a small portion on the screen unless the typesize is too small to read, and I have 20/20 with my glasses. I recall Paul Myers' guide to the Warrior forum when it was a PDF and was great. The mindmap format IMHO sucks and I stopped promoting it.

        Why force users to add a piece of software?
        Signature

        Robin



        ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
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        • Profile picture of the author Tom B
          Banned
          Originally Posted by RobinInTexas View Post

          The ones I've seen, only allow a small portion on the screen unless the typesize is too small to read, and I have 20/20 with my glasses. I recall Paul Myers' guide to the Warrior forum when it was a PDF and was great. The mindmap format IMHO sucks and I stopped promoting it.

          Why force users to add a piece of software?
          Ah, it sounds like you are talking about mindmaps as a consumer of other products and not so much as an avid user.

          A pdf should be available when talking about products that have mindmaps. Software should also be available because some people want to add their own ideas to already conceived mindmaps. Not everyone though as you pointed out.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcbmark20
    Hi,

    I use mind maps for some of my products and services.

    They're not just useful for me they're useful for my students as they
    learn from what I teach and then are able to stay on track and focused
    by having a detailed mind map to refer back to at any time.

    There's literally limitless ways to use mind maps once you get creating new
    ideas and more and more ideas follow as you get into a daily routine with using them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by gcbmark20 View Post

      Hi,

      I use mind maps for some of my products and services.

      They're not just useful for me they're useful for my students as they
      learn from what I teach and then are able to stay on track and focused
      by having a detailed mind map to refer back to at any time.

      There's literally limitless ways to use mind maps once you get creating new
      ideas and more and more ideas follow as you get into a daily routine with using them.
      I noticed mindmaps are being used that way more and more. I have been testing out programs and I noticed a lot more stuff like task management. Something I naturally started doing myself but didn't realize.

      I take it mindmaps are part of your product offerings? Would you say it helps sales?
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  • Profile picture of the author John Good
    Hi, well I usually use mind map for EVERYTHING! My kids only study using mindmaps (They all have excellent grades). But I agree with Lance, it´s better to use a pencil and a paper rather than using a program. Although I must admit that there is a very good program, from TONY BUzan, the inventor of mindmaps, that is very cool. But this program is relatively expensive for me, so I will stick with paper and pencil!
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by John Good View Post

      Hi, well I usually use mind map for EVERYTHING! My kids only study using mindmaps (They all have excellent grades). But I agree with Lance, it´s better to use a pencil and a paper rather than using a program. Although I must admit that there is a very good program, from TONY BUzan, the inventor of mindmaps, that is very cool. But this program is relatively expensive for me, so I will stick with paper and pencil!
      Really cool stuff John. Did you notice a big difference when your kids started using them?
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  • Profile picture of the author youvana
    I love mindmaps and use them for planning all of my projects Freemind Download - FreeMind is great.
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  • Profile picture of the author munstersg01
    I love using mind mapping tools, for planning website structure, doing presentations, and using it for some of my project planning.

    It would be good to have a mind mapping tool that can generate mindmaps with Gantt chart �� capabilities and flow chart capabilities.

    Currently using freemind, edraw max depending on my needs and what file type I need to export to.

    Thomas you planning on creating a mind mapping software? I would be glad to beta test it, for your consideration. ��

    Danny
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
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      Originally Posted by munstersg01 View Post

      I love using mind mapping tools, for planning website structure, doing presentations, and using it for some of my project planning.

      It would be good to have a mind mapping tool that can generate mindmaps with Gantt chart �� capabilities and flow chart capabilities.

      Currently using freemind, edraw max depending on my needs and what file type I need to export to.

      Thomas you planning on creating a mind mapping software? I would be glad to beta test it, for your consideration. ��

      Danny
      Hey Danny,

      Yeah, actually, I do have one coming out. I found a lot of the ones I was using to be limited so I built one. I have been wanting to build this for years and finally got around to it.

      We are finishing up beta right now, but I appreciate the offer and feedback buddy.

      I was looking into the Gantt charts but wasn't sure if people would use it. Already got the flow charts built in.
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  • Profile picture of the author munstersg01
    Cool it would be good to have feature like prezi where you can export the file to some format that can still 'play' in any computer without installing the main software.

    Danny
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by munstersg01 View Post

      Cool it would be good to have feature like prezi where you can export the file to some format that can still 'play' in any computer without installing the main software.

      Danny
      Cool idea and I will look into it for the next round of updates.

      It's hard to explain without showing a video and I don't want to have anyone saying I'm promoting it here...

      Some of our ideas can get pretty big especially if we work on it over time. It makes mind maps hard to use because of the size.

      So I made it where we can attach different "documents" to a topic. Things like spreadsheets, word documents, you can add a new mindmap, a new diagram including flow charts, a pdf file, a browser that points to a website, or a video that points to a file on your computer or can be streamed from your website.

      Sometimes you need to build upon an idea using other types of media. I wanted most, if not all, built within the program itself so I don't have to chase down other files on my computer.

      You click on one of the topic nodes and select which type of document you want to add to that particular topic. Say you want to keep track of conversions using the spreadsheets\ since it also allows you to create charts. A spreadsheet document pops up where you can edit and save.

      haha Like I said, it's hard to explain without a video.

      But, it stores everything in the database so if I did something like prezi you wouldn't have all that other data. With that said, there is what I called a "Viewer" built in that you can give away to anyone and they can install it and use that one mindmap with everything you added to it. That way you can share the whole thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author munstersg01
    Thanks for sharing Thomas.

    Your software sounds really fun to use and after viewing the videos I think it will be a easy to use and fantastic software addition to any marketers' to use toolbox.

    Danny
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  • Profile picture of the author niravmehta
    I've used mind maps for nearly a decade now. The time when I certainly use mind maps is when I am brainstorming (or brain dumping) a new product or strategy that has multiple aspects.

    The benefit of using a mind map is free flow of ideas. It's quick to add items and navigate. So you can focus on getting ideas out of your mind rather than formatting.

    I am not a fan of stylishly formatted / complicated mind maps. It helps readers though. So you may want to use a nicely formatted mindmap to give a quick overview to people who buy your product.

    But for personal use, I prefer simple text only mindmaps.

    I have used Freemind for all these years and am very happy with it. I've tried other tools, but still prefer Freemind's simplicity and power.

    I do use outlining (Omni Outliner), and am developing a habit of putting everything into Evernote.

    I like each of those tools for what they do. But I love mindmaps for "structured free flow of ideas".

    HTH!
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by niravmehta View Post

      I've used mind maps for nearly a decade now. The time when I certainly use mind maps is when I am brainstorming (or brain dumping) a new product or strategy that has multiple aspects.

      The benefit of using a mind map is free flow of ideas. It's quick to add items and navigate. So you can focus on getting ideas out of your mind rather than formatting.

      I am not a fan of stylishly formatted / complicated mind maps. It helps readers though. So you may want to use a nicely formatted mindmap to give a quick overview to people who buy your product.

      But for personal use, I prefer simple text only mindmaps.

      I have used Freemind for all these years and am very happy with it. I've tried other tools, but still prefer Freemind's simplicity and power.

      I do use outlining (Omni Outliner), and am developing a habit of putting everything into Evernote.

      I like each of those tools for what they do. But I love mindmaps for "structured free flow of ideas".

      HTH!

      If you do a lot with Evernote, I just read about a new program that generates mind maps from your notes.


      Mohiomap Creates a Mind Map to Browse Your Evernote
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