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MindNode adds outlining to mind maps
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Posted by satis
Dec 20, 2020 at 04:16 PM
Most online mind map services offer the ability to host nicely formatted maps, but it’s nice to also be able to host outlines. Not something I’d need but I can see its usefulness for others. The killer feature these apps seem to have is integration with other services like Zapier.
I tend to use mind maps for idea generation and brainstorming, then output OPML to OmniOutliner, in which I use the resulting framework in building an extended outline (and even long-form writing prior to outputting to a writing app).
With the absence of good alternative outliners but given my occasional Trello use, I’d been investigating a separate combo mind map/kanban solution (Zenkit, Taskade, MindMeister/MeisterTask). Standalone mind map apps and services remain more functional and powerful so I’m not sure whether it’s worth the tradeoffs for me to switch off Trello for a combo product.
Posted by Dr Andus
Dec 21, 2020 at 02:02 PM
Paul Korm wrote:
>What is the state of the art in outliners with mind maps—or,
>conversely, mind mappers with outlines?
This is an interesting question and probably worth asking even about mind mappers without outliners.
The answer will probably depend on the specific definition of what a mind mapper is (visual hierarchical outlining capability only?) and whether it includes the concept mapper category (not necessarily hierarchical).
In terms of the former category (hierarchical outlining), I don’t see much difference between freely available solutions (Freeplane, MindMup etc.) and the expensive bells-and-whistle heavy-weights as far as the outcome (outline output) is concerned, unless the differentiating factor is some kind of sophisticated project management solution (Gantt chart integration, calendars etc.), but then maybe we are not talking about mind mapping anymore.
I find innovations in the concept mapping category more exciting. The most interesting solution I’ve come across in recent years is Plectica (plectica.com). I’m still playing with it but I’m coming close to subscribing.
What I like about it (besides the semantic zoom, i.e. the ability to move between levels of granularity and still be able to see the semantic links between parts of the outline or visual structure) is the ease with which one can outline ‘topographically’, by which I mean that you can create ‘islands’ of content (which can represent both spatial and temporal entities or anything you like), and then merge or inter-link those islands.
Plectica operates on the basis of a whole vs. parts ontology, meaning that everything in the universe can be represented as being a smaller part of something bigger, and everything can be further broken down as having smaller parts, and Plectica can zoom easily between these levels.
It is not easy to explain all this, but there is something very clever about how Plectica operates and the kind of analysis and synthesis that it allows (its affordances).
Posted by jaslar
Dec 21, 2020 at 06:48 PM
My use of mindmaps is mostly to outline talks. In the Linux world, I’ve rediscovered Vym (View Your mind, found at http://www.insilmaril.de/vym/). It has an outliner view, but not editable. But very small, fast, and free! I remember playing around with Transno (https://transno.com/), too, which felt a lot like Dynalist, with one click conversion to mindmaps. But I don’t remember if you can edit the maps in that view. I do see why the two are connected.
Posted by satis
Dec 21, 2020 at 09:24 PM
I intend to try out Trasno but its onboarding is geekily awkward and confusing, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for the app.
When signing up there’s a field for your email then one which simply says CODE (then fields for password and repeat-password). I tried making up a code and was told it was incorrect, noticed a light-grey countdown clock with seconds remaining, and jumped to my email account where I found an email with the code: they sent the code simply by reading the email, and didn’t explain what was happening.
Very clunky and uncommunicative - there should have been an email entry page, a note to check email for code, then a separate page for finishing sign-up.
Posted by satis
Dec 23, 2020 at 02:55 PM
Got email today from MindNode saying that current Mac users can get on the public beta with outlining now, and that an iOS version with matching features should be released two months after the Mac version exits beta.
https://mindnode.com/page/public-beta