Mindjet Mindmanager
One of the programs that I have used the most is Mindjet Mindmanager.
Its software that allows you to create Mindmaps or "spider diagrams" - a note taking method popularised by Tony Buzan.
The interface is well-designed and easy to use with both mouse and tablet pen. I have some minor niggles with it - the inability to fully personalise the menu bars for example - but these are minor.
So what can you use it for? I use it for two things mainly - simple note-taking and presentations.
Note-taking: Mindmapping requires real discipline because it is difficult to include large screeds of information without making the mindmap unreadable. This forces you to narrow in on the key concepts and to actually summarise and focus as opposed to simply copying out large chunks of information without discrimination.
The graphical layout of the notes means that the connection between concepts and pieces of information can be made much clearer. The only bore used to be that you would have to draw long connecting lines when a new connection became clear or even redraw the map if you realised that you had grouped concepts incorrectly. With this program the re-organisation of the topics is quick and easy so that chore is gone.
In addition it is easy to include images and colours to make the grouping of concepts clearer and to aid retention of information.
Of course, sometimes, you do need the detailed information that the mindmap format just doesn't permit. Fortunately, you can do this in Mindmanager through expandable notes section, through hyperlinks to other documents and web pages and even to other mindmaps.
Presentations: The joy of the mindmap's graphical presentation is that it instantly makes clear the topic areas of the issue under discussion. Furthermore, you can include images and links to other data that are relevant to your presentation whilst keeping the base notes simple. Mindmanager includes a presentation mode that allows you to move through the topic areas focusing and refocusing the screen each time. As a result you can provide visual aids to your talk that are simple, dynamic and involving in a way that makes it hard to fall into the Powerpoint trap of densely written slides.
Tempted? The people over at gottabemobile have some webinars showing off the product and what it can do. Or try the free trial.
Its software that allows you to create Mindmaps or "spider diagrams" - a note taking method popularised by Tony Buzan.
The interface is well-designed and easy to use with both mouse and tablet pen. I have some minor niggles with it - the inability to fully personalise the menu bars for example - but these are minor.
So what can you use it for? I use it for two things mainly - simple note-taking and presentations.
Note-taking: Mindmapping requires real discipline because it is difficult to include large screeds of information without making the mindmap unreadable. This forces you to narrow in on the key concepts and to actually summarise and focus as opposed to simply copying out large chunks of information without discrimination.
The graphical layout of the notes means that the connection between concepts and pieces of information can be made much clearer. The only bore used to be that you would have to draw long connecting lines when a new connection became clear or even redraw the map if you realised that you had grouped concepts incorrectly. With this program the re-organisation of the topics is quick and easy so that chore is gone.
In addition it is easy to include images and colours to make the grouping of concepts clearer and to aid retention of information.
Of course, sometimes, you do need the detailed information that the mindmap format just doesn't permit. Fortunately, you can do this in Mindmanager through expandable notes section, through hyperlinks to other documents and web pages and even to other mindmaps.
Presentations: The joy of the mindmap's graphical presentation is that it instantly makes clear the topic areas of the issue under discussion. Furthermore, you can include images and links to other data that are relevant to your presentation whilst keeping the base notes simple. Mindmanager includes a presentation mode that allows you to move through the topic areas focusing and refocusing the screen each time. As a result you can provide visual aids to your talk that are simple, dynamic and involving in a way that makes it hard to fall into the Powerpoint trap of densely written slides.
Tempted? The people over at gottabemobile have some webinars showing off the product and what it can do. Or try the free trial.
Labels: mindjet, mindmanager, mindmap, review, software
posted by Benet at
09:23
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