In previous posts, I’ve mentioned the online Mindmapping tool MindMeister. The developer continues to update his product, recently adding Google Gears capability - allowing MindMeister to be taken offline - among other things. The most recent developments are tied to extending access via widgets. This is really cool:
So, we’ve taken that feedback very seriously and now are proud to give you not one, not two - but three new versions of Geistesblitz, for Yahoo! Widgets, iGoogle and the iPhone. We hope this will make everybody happy!
Read more about it here.
I especially like the ability to send quick thoughts to a default mindmap via my iGoogle home page. I continue to use mindmapping to churn through ideas and concepts that need further development, and now I can quickly send snippets to MindMeister without having to log in and add a node. It is certainly getting easier and easier to function on the cloud.
MindMeister, an online mind mapping tool I wrote about a while back, has recently been updated. Some highlights:
New Features:
- Links on ideas (URL and email links, links to other maps and nodes)
- Note and link previews
- Automatic layouting (no overlaps)
- Automatic canvas resizing (for large maps)
- Export as PDF
- Start new map from idea
- Changes view date slider
- Browse public maps (with rating)
- Zooming in public maps (iframe)
- Team Edition
- MindMeister API
Enhancements:
- Reworked, more organic lines
- Enhanced printing (choose size)
- Remove icon via right-click
- Display only changes since last visit
- Cut & Paste between maps (not only copy)
- Link to node (in Copy as Text)
- Simplified main menu
Steady improvements to MindMeister have really made it a powerful online, collaborative mind mapping tool.
I’m constantly on the lookout for better, more productive ways to manage information at a personal level (Personal 
Knowledge Management - PKM). One of the more unique PKM tools out there is this product called PersonalBrain, made by TheBrain Technologies. PersonalBrain operates very much like a three dimensional mind mapping tool. I’ve tried PersonalBrain in the past, but never really got the hang of it. TheBrain has just released a new version, which addresses much of the quirkiness of past iterations. Michael Sampson has posted a nice summary of the new features
Jeremy Wagstaff, most notably of the Wall Street Journal, has been writing a lot about PersonalBrain on his weblog. He recently posted an excellent example of how he uses PersonalBrain. I’m still not quite sure how I’d use it, but an upcoming webcast by the folks at TheBrain may help a bit. If you’re interested in checking out this unique knowledge tool, you’ll need to quickly sign up for the July 31st Webex session at TheBrain’s website.
I’m not sure what it is with the Europeans, but they seem to be obsessed with Mind Mapping. I just wrote about MindMeister, an excellent online mind mapping tool that is in private beta at the moment (I’ve still got invites available if you’re interested). Along comes Mindomo to up the ante. Thanks to Nick Duffill, a principal at Gyronix - Mind Mapping and Productivity Consultants - to pointing this one out on his blog.
As Nick points out, this online application is simply stunning for it’s ‘desktop like’ interaction and flexibility. You have the ability to assign task information (due date, start date, task assignment, etc.), associated graphics (both default graphics, and importable ones), and change the layout of the map, just like MindManager.
Similar to nearly all online applications today, Mindomo’s abilities from a collaboration level also shine. Nick’s gone as far as to explain the Wiki-like qualities that collaboration may enable with Mindomo.
Mindomo can import MindManager files just like MindMeister, but just like MindMeister, some formatting features are lost. I’ve just started to play around with Mindomo, but can already tell that this is one heck of an online application.
There is a standard ‘free’ edition, and three other options. This one is definitely worth checking out.
The guys over at Download Squad just pointed us to a new ‘mind mapping type’ online tool called bubbl.us. I’ve been searching for an online mindmapping application, and to be frank, bubbl.us falls far short of the mark for any serious mind mapping. Like most online applications nowadays, bubbl.us incorporates the expected collaborative capabilities. The application still has the look of being in the early stages of development, so it may evolve into something more meaningful from a mind mapping perspective. In the meantime, I’ll continue to rely on FreeMind for my personal mind mapping needs. Hopefully we’ll see an online mind mapping tool emerge soon.
In previous posts, I’ve mentioned the online Mindmapping tool MindMeister. The developer continues to update his product, recently adding Google Gears capability - allowing MindMeister to be taken offline - among other things. The most recent developments are tied to extending access via widgets. This is really cool:
