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Is it worth it?
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Posted by Stephen R. Diamond
Sep 6, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Cassius wrote:
>As far as I can tell, mind maps just present a graphical representation of an outline.
>In Inspiration, for example, one can create an outline and with a click or two convert
>it to a mind map or one can do the reverse. (Admittedly, Inspiration is clunky to
>use.)
>
>The Brain goes further, in that one can have net-like connections which are
>more general than a strict hierarchy, allowing connections to more than just a parent
>or to children. This seems to me to be much more real-world.
MindGenius allows what it calls “Mental Connections,” which are non-hierarchical. I think they should be used sparingly.
>
>I must admit, however,
>that not being very visually oriented, I have not used The Brain. I think that in
>(single-pane) outliners, the net-like link features in the Brain can be
>approximated with the use of clones and hyperlinks to other items in the
>outline.
>
>-c
>
Posted by Stephen R. Diamond
Sep 6, 2007 at 08:40 PM
PMM lacks multiple undo, a critical feature for me.
Posted by Stephen R. Diamond
Sep 6, 2007 at 08:47 PM
I checked out the latest MindManager. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a true hoist. The mind mapping programs usually seem to have a feature called “cut to separate mind map.” This stands in for hoist, but lacks the speed and preservation of both views.
I really don’t like Mind Manager. It has that extra keypress to enter data. It has a lot of features, while lacking some I think are much more important (such as customizable shortcut keys). Plus, it has the most expensive add-ons I have ever seen. Anyone with CRIMP would be well-advised to eschew MindManager, because the add-on temptation would suck one dry.
I use a mind mapper as an outliner. I think an outliner should be both powerful and transparent, but MindManager lacks transparency. There are so many controls that they create a constant temptation to embellish at the expense of productive work.
Posted by quant
Sep 6, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Cassius wrote:
>As far as I can tell, mind maps just present a graphical representation of an outline.
I completely agree with Cassius. The mind maps are nothing else than a tree that you see in all outliners. The only difference is, that the root item is in the middle. Once you realize this, you just work with your favorite outliner as a mind manager. I personally use UltraRecall, let’s me host the root of the topic, and then a map is done with a simple inserts ... I use it when I prepare a presentation or think about a project ... no need for fancy stuff, it only slows down ... + the big advantage is that my notes and mind maps are in one place
Posted by Ian Goldsmid
Sep 6, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Stephen R. Diamond wrote:
>
>
>Cassius wrote:
>>As far as I can tell, mind maps just present a graphical
>representation of an outline.
>>In Inspiration, for example, one can create an
>outline and with a click or two convert
>>it to a mind map or one can do the reverse.
>(Admittedly, Inspiration is clunky to
>>use.)
>>
>>The Brain goes further, in that
>one can have net-like connections which are
>>more general than a strict hierarchy,
>allowing connections to more than just a parent
>>or to children. This seems to me to be
>much more real-world.
>
>MindGenius allows what it calls “Mental Connections,”
>which are non-hierarchical. I think they should be used sparingly.
>>
>>I must admit,
>however,
>>that not being very visually oriented, I have not used The Brain. I think
>that in
>>(single-pane) outliners, the net-like link features in the Brain can be
>
>>approximated with the use of clones and hyperlinks to other items in the
>
>>outline.
>>
>>-c
>>
Unfortunately, as far as I know, Mindgenius development is not happening. The best feature is its ability to add nested categories, and other useful properties to Topics, and then to create arbitrarily complex filters. But the fact that development has been at a standstill for 2 years or more completely puts me off. Does anyone know any different about their plans to design and build a Version 3?