Is it worth it?

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Posted by Bernhard
Sep 8, 2007 at 01:20 PM

I think there are subtle differences between a
classical “text outline”, a mindmap and a
concept map. To me, they all provide as basis for
different purposes and so I use them all:
MindManager, Inspiration and a “Text Outliner”.

Of course, a mindmap is basically a hierarchical
tree and therefore can alway be mapped to an
ordinary textual outline (and vice versa). So,
what’s all this good for?

In the rough a mindmap should induce ideas,
associations and help to remember things.
Therefore a “classical” mindmap follows some
rules:

- The visual layout should break thinking in
simple linear chains (first, second,
third ...) and represent a more holistic view.

- The use of short words (ideally a single
word) as topic of the map and on the
branches. There are no full sentences.

- The use of color and images to enhance the
meaning and for remembering.

- The use of additional lines connecting
branches (leafs) to show additional connections.

Concept maps will go a step further now as they
“name” the connections between the leafs in a tree
as relations (is-a, consist-of, is-part-of ...)
and augment a tree structure into a network
structure.

Inspiration allows this in “diagram view” but
doesn’t reflect this fully in its “outline” view
which still remains a tree.

Enter the classical text outliner. When I have to
map the found tree or net to a fully linear
structure as an article or presentation this tool
should import the given structure and help to
work out the details as full sentences,
annotations etc. and help to polish the final
work.

This mapping may not be a trivial work as you have
to go from a net structure like concept map to a
linear article possibly. So, there is enough work
left for a traditional outliner.

( I would like to know of a tool that helps with
transforming net structures into linear ones. I
remember something like “topological sort” back
from eons ...)

So, following an “every fool is different”
approach everyone should use the tool that suites
best his purpose and workflow.

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