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Mind Map Collaboration Tips

September 16, 2007

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As a long time mind mapper I was delighted to find the MindMeister online application. What follows are some observations and tips for using MindMeister Mind Map application to collaborate online.

Here is the text I exported from Mind Meister. Not quite the same. Go to this link to view a larger version.

Browser Based: The Internet is gradually becoming the new “operating system”. All you need is either Firefox or Internet Explorer web browser plus an account at mindmeister.com

  • Must Be Online: Right now you have to be online to use MindMeister, I was reading in their forum and I think MindMeister has being able to work on your maps offline on their development road map.
  • Cross Platform: Works in all browsers regardless of the operating system.
  • Free and Pro Version: Mind Meister offers a free and a Pro (paid) version.
  • No Software to Install: If you recently installed your browser you likely already have everything you need to start building Mind Maps.

Visual Collaboration: In my opinion, Mind Maps tend to appeal to visual, big picture or analytical thinkers.

  • Meeting Bridge: Using a mind map within a meeting can take the focus off of a contentious issue, people, and gets everyone focused on the task at hand.
  • A Visual Outline: Most every business owner I have met are big picture thinkers. They tend to see things first on a visual level. Mind mapping allows visual thinkers to get the ideas and concepts out of their heads and onto paper or the screen.
  • Easy Note-taking: When I want to keep track of what people say in a meeting, I simply create a branch with their name. Then all I need to do is add a branch or a note.
  • Changes Made Easy: Dragging, moving, adding, and deleting is as easy as grabbing an object with your cursor. In collaboration mode you can easily see what changes were made using a handy slider control.
  • Icons Communicate: It comes with a variety of icons that you can add to help get your point across. I would like to see more icons but there is an advantage to keeping the selection limited to lessen clutter.
  • Great for Brainstorming: Whenever I get stuck I turn to building a mind map. It allows me to add concepts and capture ideas that I can reorganize later.

Project/Task Management: These icons change when you click on them.

Ordered Lists

  • Plans
  • Actions
  • Results

Track Progress

  • Start
  • 25% Complete
  • 50% Complete
  • 75% Complete
  • Completed

Interactive Icons

  • Arrows
  • Flags
  • Traffic Light
  • Stop
  • Caution
  • Go

Sharing Options: You have three options to share your work live. You can also set up to be notified via email or twitter.

  • View Mode: Invite others to view your MM without making it public.
  • Public Mode: Allows you to publish your MM on the Internet and anyone in the world can view it.
  • Collaboration Mode: Invite others to help you build, edit, and create a MM on any topic of your choice.
  • Communication: When collaborating online, you can launch Skype from within Mindmeister to chat and discuss.
  • IM Support: Twitter, Skype, E-Mail

Import: Both the free and Pro version allow you to import MIndManager or Freemind MM.
Export Functions: The Pro version provides the ability to export your MM as Freemind or MindManager files for use in the software. PND, Text, PDF are also options.

  • PDF
  • PNG
  • Text
  • Freemind
  • MindManager

From the mind of Greg Balanko-Dickson, The Remote Control CEO.

Written by Greg Balanko-Dickson · Filed Under Leadership, Personal Commentary 

Comments

5 Responses to “Mind Map Collaboration Tips”

  1. Omar on September 17th, 2007 1:58 am

    Here is another really good collaborative web-based mind mapping tool that might be worth looking at comapping.com

  2. Greg Balanko-Dickson on September 17th, 2007 6:05 am

    I just signed up for a trial account at comapping.com and all I can say is wow!

    Different, compelling, ability to create slide shows and collaborate. This is how mind mapping software is supposed to work.

    I will use it more and write a review soon. Well worth checking out.

  3. Greg On Small Business » Blog Archive » Online Mind Mapping Tools on September 19th, 2007 2:38 am

    […] one surprised me. I found this one after the CEO contacted me by commenting on a post I wrote about Mind Map Collaboration Tips. Before jumping into even trying this one, I spent some time reading their FAQ and was impressed […]

  4. Ken - Hoobin.com on November 10th, 2007 9:36 am

    I’m using MindManager for sometime and looking for a better way to collaborate my online project using mindmapping. What is your recommendation so far?

  5. Greg Balanko-Dickson on November 10th, 2007 10:09 am

    H Ken: for true collaboration (seeing changes live) the clear winner is CoMapping. I have used this in coaching sessions, in collaborative projects with multiple people and it just works. I wrote a review of three online mind mapping tools. I have used all three but my favorite is CoMapping, all three allow you to import and export from Mind Manager.

    Collaborative, distance mind mapping when combined with Skype is amazing. CoMapping is going to be adding text chat.

    Ken, how do you plan to use collaborative mind mapping?

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