Preface

Hypershifters focuses on the use of visual mapping software. It addresses open source, freeware as well as commercial solutions.

The added value Hypershifters provides is in research, advice and consultancy for experienced and inexperienced users.

Many users have concerns about the possibilities of visual mapping in their work environment. This was reason for Hypershifters to create a test team that, co-advised by international experts in the field of visual mapping, critically reviews current products.   Not so much viewed from the intricacies of the software, but rather from its scope of applicability. Thereby think for example of doing some brainstorming, meeting management, project management and knowledge management.

The reviews are based on a matrix drafted by us to serve as a yardstick for the aforementioned scope of applicability. Besides the reviews you will also find the results in a comparison table.

iMindMap 4.1

Tony Buzan, who has been advocating mind mapping  since the late sixties, was and is not pleased with most software packages that claim to create mind maps. They do not conform to his image of a mind map – rich, organic shapes, full of color and graphics. Besides, the term “mind map” is registered to the Buzan organization, and thus protected.

After Chris Griffiths in 2003 decided to invest all his energy into developing a “true” Buzan software solution, the Buzan organization made a decision in 2006 to launch the mind map software developed by Chris. iMindMap 2 was released in 2007.

Indeed, with organic shapes, colors and keywords on the lines – a true mind map (however, it is the only form the branches can take). Meanwhile a vast online library of images has become available!

It was a bit of getting used to compared to the existing packages, but now you get Tony Buzan mind maps which also appeal to the right brain hemisphere.

The second half of 2008 gave us iMindMap 3 in various variations, meant for varied user groups. “Elements” is for basic maps, “Professional” for MS Office integration (Excel and Outlook). “Ultimate” and “Ultimate Plus” contain a further set of project management tools. Other improvements include the user interface, import from MindManager and FreeMind files, and an improved “speed mapping mode.”

The actual differences are to be found in detail at http://www.imindmap.com/features/.

In May of 2009 iMindMap 4.0 was released with the following novelties:

• A robust presentation mode (of which more later),
• Improved drag & drop – including the ability to drag pictures from other programs into iMindMap,
• Audio notes – iMindMap as the only mind map software with an option to add (2 minutes) of audio per branch (comments, music, …) while you proceed with the mapping process!
• A good way to take notes and an added option to make drawings of your own. Almost everything that is possible within map view can now also be done in notes,
• Box branches – the option to equip branches with text boxes for, for example, quotes, product names and commentary. We believe this is not quite according to Tony Buzan’s principles, but when the box is still there we would like to be able to give it a more flexible form,
• Floating topics which allows one to (temporarily) set aside some information, but also useful for a legend or a brainstorm (grouping will come later),
• A simplified toolbar with the option of adding a useful formatting box with features near the current branch for color, link, etc., eg. there where it is actually being used,
• The option to print the chart onto multiple pages (and keep it readable …),
• Find images based on keywords in the huge online archive – selecting the appropriate branch and then clicking on “find image” suffices.

Recently iMindMap 4.1 came out with the following improvements:

• A template system as a base for re-occurring issues (currently iMindMap has 70 templates),
• Improved speed,
• A further refined control of the presentation mode,
• More images for the central theme – there are now 103,
• An option to export the audio notes (.wav),
• OPML im- and export,
• Compatible with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

If you’re used to working a lot with shortcut keys, using the mouse to draw the beautiful organic shapes needs getting used to. It works slower than other packages, but that’s exactly the point: the focus is on the process… The drawing of organic lines affects thinking and the ability to associate…

Using a tablet PC actually augments that natural feeling even further. The program helps to arrange things using the auto layout function.

The setting options range from Linear through Organic to Radial for the entire mind map. “Drawing” of branches can be achieved Organically, by FreeHand and by Boxed Branch.

iMindMap has many options to add free form to a mind map and make it nice looking, almost like on paper with a set of markers. It doesn’t take much to become a formidable competitor of MindManager and NovaMind with the important distinction that these are “Buzan-certified  mind maps”.

However, we would like to add some possible areas that need improvement:

• A “boundary” around a branch with sub-branches is only possible in the form of a cloud. It is true that this is proper according to the teachings of Buzan, but still…
• Switching from standard Organic mode to the Speed Mind Chart function means loss of all formatting, and results in some strange effects like the generation of a relationship arrow between two items through a remote corner of the mind map, and the upside down placement of text – first speed mapping, and only then shaping and not being able to return to speed mapping, so… (iMindMap is working on this problem).
• The images in the large online library are not always of high quality, and sometimes appear childish.
• Numbering is only possible for the entire chart or not at all – this has strange effects on the outline view which is composed in the order in which the branches are added. Text cannot be changed in the outline view.
• The ribbon looks different than in Windows, well usable but sometimes somewhat of a search. The buttons could in our opinion be a bit smaller.

At the time of testing iMindMap has four variations:

iMindMap will become available in the Hypershifters Webshop shortly. Prices can be subject to change.

1. Elements (€62.-)
2. Pro (€125.-)
3. Ultimate (€189.-)
4. Ultimate Plus Pack (€251.-)

In the mean time has iMindMap released an iMindMap application for the iPhone. Please read the review from Hypershifters on iMindMap for the iPhone.

iMindMap is mainly purchased by people who cannot identify Tony Buzan’s principles in other software packages, those in more creative professions, and people who were used to drawing mind maps by hand. For the latter group the combination with a tablet PC is very interesting!

Many developments at iMindMap within a short time period, and our expectation is that Chris Griffiths’ aspirations have by no means all been realized. 2010 will most likely show new possibilities.

During the recent train-the-trainer event for ten very experienced mind mappers (consultants, trainers and facilitators from World of Minds and Hypershifters) various change and improvement possibilities came up for discussion. We are curious which of these Chris Griffiths and Emely of Keogh will take on!

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