Think Out of the Box with the Mind Map Software

The idea of mind map has developed to facilitate and organize concepts and ideas that generally could take longer time to understand. The traditional way of thinking hampers creative thinking and hence the idea of mind maps came into prominence. What happens in mind maps is that there is a central idea or concept around which a pattern or framework is built and that becomes instinctive for the individual. 

In the business of marketing the use of these mind map software is undisputable, and one can use the software to better outline the marketing strategies with their available resources. The individuals for whom the visualizations are created with the help of the mind map software can easily understand the interrelations between different ideas and concepts.

Some freeware mind map software are web based and enables the users to collaborate and have their mind maps on the internet and the users need to have flash on their system to have this functionality. Another freeware mind map software lets the user to draw colorful concept maps and mind maps with good visualization and also have automatic topics' layout functionality. Different free mind map software come with their own functionality, users can have other functionalities in these mind map software such as exports, free-float texts and images, color and fonts, rich text notes, task information, outline exports and much more.

Some mind map software are open source that enable users to draw mind map diagrams while others are free mind map software. Some freeware mind map software are web based and enables the users to collaborate and have their mind maps on the internet and the users need to have flash on their system to have this functionality. Another freeware mind map software lets the user to draw colorful concept maps and mind maps with good visualization and also have automatic topics' layout functionality. Different free mind map software come with their own functionality, users can have other functionalities in these mind map software such as exports, free-float texts and images, color and fonts, rich text notes, task information, outline exports and much more.

Some mind map software are open source that enable users to draw mind map diagrams while others are free mind map software. The open source mind map software support platforms like Linux, UNIX, Windows, Mac OS, while others are cross platform software. The proprietary mind map software has additional functionality as compared with the open source and free software that has limited functionality.

Inspiration Software Introduces Visual Mapping for iPad

Leader in visual thinking and learning brings three decades of expertise to development of inspiration diagrams for iPad.

The leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration® Software, Inc., brings visual mapping and outlining to iPad™ with today’s announcement of Inspiration® Diagrams. This spring, Inspiration Diagrams will join the company’s award-winning family of tools based on proven learning methodologies that help students and educators think, learn, brainstorm, analyze and write.


With Inspiration Diagrams, students in grades 6-12 will improve their comprehension, critical-thinking and writing skills across the curriculum. Students can use the same mind-mapping and outlining tools they already know from Inspiration® and Webspiration Classroom™, such as RapidFire, to create visual diagrams and outlines that help them clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and learn to think critically.


When students create visual diagrams and plan projects with Inspiration Diagrams, they learn and demonstrate critical-thinking skills, cross-curricular literacy and writing skills that are delineated in the new, widely adopted Common Core State Standards.


“The engaging, visual learning environment provided by Inspiration Diagrams on iPad provides the perfect tool set for thinking and learning through diagrams, outlines and graphic organizers,” said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. “Whether students are using it on the school bus, sitting at home or in the classroom, Inspiration Diagrams helps them develop important thinking and writing skills that are requisite for success in school and in life.”


Educators around the country who tested early versions of Inspiration Diagrams with their students had high praise for the app.


“How exciting to be able to use Inspiration, my all-time favorite application for brainstorming and visualizing, on iPad,” said Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D., assistive technology consultant and editor of the AssistiveTek blog. “Inspiration Diagrams for iPad is easy and intuitive to use. I, for one, will add this to my list of favorite apps and will include it as part of my app toolkit that I will share with other educators as I do in-service programs and training.”


“I am pleased with how easy it is to use Inspiration Diagrams with my fifth- and sixth-grade students,” said Renee Ramig, director of technology, Seven Hills School, Walnut Creek, Calif. “And, since Inspiration Diagrams does not require WiFi, I know I can implement it throughout the school without consuming additional network bandwidth.”


Inspiration Diagrams Lite, an abridged version of Inspiration Diagrams, will be available for free in the App Store in March. Inspiration Diagrams will be available for purchase for $29.95 for a single download in April. Pricing for volume purchases will be available by contacting Inspiration Software at sales@inspiration.com.


To learn more about Inspiration Software, visit http://www.inspiration.com, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/InspirationSoftware or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InspirationSW. In addition, educators from around the world can connect and share their passion for learning strategies and education on the company’s blog, Thinkspiration, at http://www.inspiration.com/blog.

Turn the iPad®  into a Knowledge Creation resource with Inspiration®  Diagrams


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iThoughtsHD Mind Mapping Software

After using the application to mind map ideas – numerous design routes were submitted and refined before the final logo was chosen. The identity will be applied to splash screens, in-app graphics and website designs.


iThoughtsHD brings mind mapping to the iPad. Based on the award winning iThoughts for iPhone, iThoughtsHD has been designed specifically for the iPad.

iThoughtsHD will import and export mindmaps to and from many of the most popular desktop mindmap applications such as Freemind, Freeplane, XMind, Novamind, MindManager, MindView, ConceptDraw MINDMAP, MindGenius and iMindmap. Take a look at it in action here.

Typical Uses:

• Task lists.
• Brainstorming.
• Project planning.
• Goal setting.
• Concept mapping.
• Course Notes/Revision.
• Meeting Notes.

The app is proving to be really useful for keeping track of ideas and planning projects with reviews of the current version consistently keeping it in the Top 50 Productivity Apps on Apple’s App Store.


Video: iThoughtsHD v2 Getting Started

Mindjet Announces Next Generation Collaboration Software for Work Management

Mindjet (News - Alert), a provider of collaborative work management solutions, announced the release of Mindjet MindManager 2012 Professional for Windows, the latest version of its visual information software.

The MindManager 2012 is designed “for today's professionals who need to spark ideas and collaborate with their teams for more productive outcomes,” company officials said. It is enhanced with real-time co-editing, enhanced information maps and new desktop interface.
"MindManager 2012 has been designed to meet the needs of today's professionals who are constantly barraged with new opportunities and pressing business challenges," said Blaine Mathieu, chief products officer, Mindjet , in a statement. "The new guided brainstorming feature organizes an outpouring of ideas that can be quickly honed into real solutions for real business needs."


With these features, MindManager 2012 guides users to unleash their team's creativity.  They can utilize predefined challenge questions to promote different ways of thinking about the subject. Leveraging MindManager's powerful visual experience, they can refine concepts and plans. Inspiration cards generate hundreds of fresh ideas.

An important feature of MindManager 2012 is that it integrates with Mindjet Connect, Mindjet's cloud-based service. The integrated product provides open and full sharing of MindManager maps with anyone, anywhere, on any device.


The cloud-based service allows customers to freely collaborate on maps with anyone. "The combination of MindManager 2012 and Connect is nothing short of the future of the collaboration for teams and businesses," said Mathieu.


Back in May, Mindjet announced  a new awards program, the Maps for That! Awards ("Mappies"), to honor creativity, innovation and resourcefulness in the MapsforThat.com community. Maps for That! is an online community for publishing and sharing best practices that improve productivity through visual information maps.


Video: MindManager 2012 Professional

Source: TMCNet.com

MatchWare Launches MindView 4 Mac, Mind Mapping Software for OS X Lion

With its innovative presentation features and powerful Microsoft Office integration, MindView 4 Mac arrives as the professional collaboration tool and mind mapping software essential to every Mac user's software arsenal.

MatchWare (http://www.matchware.com) announces the release of MindView 4 Mac, a professionalmind mapping software ideal for optimizing brainstorming sessions, creating visually driven presentations and displaying project plans in an easy-to-overview timeline. Thomas Henriksen, MatchWare’s Product Manager, explains, “Our user feedback was very clear, Mac customers want a professional mind mapping tool to visually overview ideas and improve communication, collaboration and innovation. MindView 4 Mac provides the professional feature set to drive productivity through seamless integration with Microsoft Office and a cutting-edge presentation mode that ensures brainstorming, organizing and presenting ideas has never been easier.”

The enhanced Microsoft Office integration and ready-to-use templates enable users to effortlessly export their mind maps as professionally formatted Microsoft® Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. With 7 dynamic viewing options including a timeline, new map styles, and innovative presentation options, MindView 4 Mac continues to take mind mapping to the next level. Additional new features include a new formatting toolbar, the ability to record audio commentary as a sound note and attach the file to a mind map branch, open MindView 4 for PC files and the option to export a mind map as a PDF.

MindView 4 Mac’s new presentation mode displays information one branch at a time, enabling users to deliver dynamic, interactive presentations directly from the mind map. Focus mode empowers users to zoom-in on specific areas of the map, allowing participants a clear view of the specific information presented. MindView 4 Mac enables users to customize the placement of branch pictures; further enhancing the capability to provide clear, visual displays to improve the understanding of complex topics.

“I have tested MindView 4 Mac on OS X Lion and the new Presentation Mode and Focus Mode are extremely helpful when presenting my mind maps during meetings. I like the fact that the Focus Mode lets me zoom in automatically on branches in a non-linear way so people in the back of the room easily can see and contribute to brainstorming sessions,” says Frans Merrild, C.E.O of Tell-It Online.

MindView’s unique Timeline view delivers a powerful, visual overview to improve any project planning process and enhance the study of historical and future events. By adding dates or times to the mind map branches, users can simply switch to the Timeline view to instantly display information on a horizontal time axis.

MindView 4 dramatically improves the ability of professionals to capture and share information in one click from a mind map to Microsoft Office, a timeline, a PDF document or a HTML website. Mac users now have a professional productivity tool for turning ideas into action plans.

MindView 4 Mac is available for purchase at http://www.MatchWare.com and the Mac App Store for the upgrade price of 149 USD or 249 USD for a single user license. For more information about MindView, visithttp://www.MatchWare.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Contact us for multi-user and educational discounts.

About MindView

MatchWare MindView is professional mind mapping software that allows you to optimize brainstorming sessions and present ideas visually. MindView's mind mapping capabilities provide an effective way to organize and develop ideas, outline reports, and streamline decision making. MindView’s visual hierarchy and professionally designed export templates convert your mind map into a polished presentation with the click of a mouse. Brainstorm topics, storyboard presentations and enhance meeting discussions. Attach pictures and videos, take notes or add hyperlinks – everything will be included in your export.

About MatchWare

Founded in 1992, MatchWare is a leader in intuitive Mind Mapping and multimedia authoring tools for enhancing individuals’ ability to create, visualize, manage and distribute information. The company’s award-winning software packages, MindView, Mediator, and ScreenCorder, offer highly intuitive user interfaces and powerful features at affordable prices. Headquartered in Denmark, MatchWare has subsidiaries in the UK, the USA, Germany, France and Sweden. 

• MatchWare, MindView, MatchWare Mediator, MatchWare ScreenCorder are trademarks or registered trademarks of MatchWare A/S. All other trademarks and registered trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective companies.

Video: MindView 4 - An introduction to Mind Mapping Software

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