I have been a fan of mind mapping ever since discovering it 20 years ago. Back then all my mind maps were hand drawn. Today I use software applications to draw my Mind Maps.
The experience of mind mapping on paper and computer is very different. Hand drawn mind maps are much more reflective, personal, and organic.
I used MindJet MindManager since they first launched a Mac version (now ver 7) but MindJet MindManager does not produce organic looking mind maps. Also, as a Mac user I felt that MindJet never took the development of the Mac app seriously. They released new Windoze updates and functionality and have basically ignored the Mac app IMO. In the last few years they have shifted their focus on the Windoze market and their online collaboration suite.
Early mind mapping tools were not very organic looking and very angular – most still are very angular and have a computerized appearance to them.
For me, that changed substantially over the last year or so.
This fall I discovered Buzan’s iMIndMap and MyThoughts for Mac and ended up purchasing both even though I have MindJet’s Mind Manager and 2-3 other apps. So what caused me to shell out the cash for new Mind Map apps? Organic looking mind maps.
Organic Mind Maps
Both iMIndMap and MyThoughts for Mac produce maps with more organic looking branches. But after that similarity they couldn’t be more different. iMIndMap is written in Java (I think it is simply a port from their windoze app), nothing about iMIndMap is native to the Mac. I was find with that until I found MyThoughts for Mac.
MyThoughts for Mac is at version 1.0.5 and iMIndMap version 4.1.2 so in many ways it is not a fair comparison. Admittedly, iMIndMap has many more features but fails in the two areas I was not willing to compromise.
- Native Mac App, after working with MyThoughts for Mac in the native Mac environment not only did I notice the huge difference in speed but also output quality.
- Quality of output is far superior in MyThoughts for Mac. The PDF and graphics output of iMIndMap is typical of the quality of most windows apps, pixelated, blurred.
I share my MIndMaps with clients and others online MyThoughts for Mac just outclasses iMIndMap when it comes to output quality. One of my big concerns with MyThoughts for Mac was the lack of OPML import/export functionality.
OPML Import/Output Crucial
I use the OPML import/export to move map data between Curio and Omni Outliner Pro lists and vice versa. I contacted the developer at MyThoughts for Mac and he said that OPML was being added in the next release – I was thrilled!
MyThoughts Has Outstanding Customer Service
Recently, I found a bug in the notes functionality of MyThoughts for Mac and contacted Alan and after exchanging a few emails he fixed the problem. All within a few hours!
Having dealt with other mind map software companies it was refreshing to hear from the developer and see them respond to a customers’ concerns and wishes.
Get MyThoughts for Mac if you are serious about Mind Mapping on the mac platform it will save you loads of cash plus you are supporting a small business that cares about their customer.
P.S. MyThoughts for Mac has an amazing graphics library included. Really awesome.
