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Is it worth it?
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Posted by Chris Thompson
Sep 6, 2007 at 11:59 PM
For what it’s worth, there is a class of software like mind mappers but which allow arbitrary non-hierarchical diagrams. This category of software is usually called concept mappers rather than mind mappers.
I’ve never understood the popularity of mind mappers either. A radial hierarchy is harder to read, especially after a recent edit that shifts everything around, than a linear outline, and they convey the same information. MindJet MindManager is absurdly expensive for what it offers.
—Chris
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.)
>
Posted by Stephen R. Diamond
Sep 7, 2007 at 12:33 AM
The advantage of the radial format il getting all the information on a single page. Mindmappers support short term memory and aid in the chunking process.
quant wrote:
>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 Stephen R. Diamond
Sep 7, 2007 at 05:14 AM
How do you know development has been at a standstill? I don’t know. I assumed they just had a longer development cycle. Gael seems to have many corporate customers, and I think corporations tend to prefer development at Microsoft-pace. This is far from slow, but each release is a big event.
Anyway, I’m not even sure I care, as long as the product is otherwise supported, which it seems to be. I use a mindmapper in the manner of a pure outliner (albeit with the unfortunate two panes, which seems unavoidable with a mind mapper). To me an outliner is a collection of basic time-tested features (and of those innovations that really stand a chance of achieving parity with these classical stigmata of outlining). I am unperturbed by the lack of apparent development of BrainStorm, NoteMap, and MindGenius. (I don’t think MS Word did much more with its outliner in Office 2007—maybe someone can say definitely.) I don’t see outlining as a ‘discipline’ developing at a mad pace. (Information management technology is another matter, which is why the packrats are rightfully more concerned with life on the bleeding edge.) The only feature I would really like to see in MindGenius, at this moment, is customizable keyboard control. On the other hand, I find the pace of development of Visual Mind simply annoying, as I would the pace of Mind Manager, were I a user. I think it’s bloat in the worst sense.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Sep 7, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Stephen,
It sounds as if you have convinced yourself to invest the money in getting a license for MindGenius… Sounds like the wise thing to do since you rely heavily on mind mappers. Like others, I don’t find mind mappers very useful… they quickly get too big and hard for me to absorb. But then, the same is true for me with outlines—at least as they are used as organizational structures for PIMs. I do think that mind mappers can be useful in conveying information to others.
I have always thought that B-Liner was an interesting concept. It allows you to shift your map into different views, including one that mimics at traditional outline format. I wish the company were still developing B-Liner, because I think it had a lot of potential.
Steve Z.
Posted by mbe
Sep 7, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Mindmanager 7: Press F4 for a true hoist/unhoist—corresponds to “Show Branch Alone” one the View ribbon
Use brainstorm mode for single return addition of new entries.
xxx
Stephen R. Diamond wrote:
>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.