Comments on: Who are mindmaps for?

By: Clark

Clark — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:36:49 +0000

Mark, I use OmniGraffle. Mac only, but brilliant for diagramming. I redid a number of my diagrams in it, just because it was literally fun. Collaboratively, MindMeister works for mindmapping, I’ve also used Gliffy a *wee* bit for diagramming.

By: Mark Fidelman

Mark Fidelman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:51:30 +0000

Any suggestions for useful mindmap tools? What are you using in your blog posts?

By: nancy white

nancy white — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:35:48 +0000

I used to use mind maps to summarize web based discussions. My co facilitator would look at them and say USELESS. Many of the participants – not all- would say fantastic. Upon some probing, we came to the conclusion that mind maps are one of those things that are or are not triggered by our learning preferences (if you want to call them that.) I suspect this has something to do with basic cognition and brain function. Like some people get a great deal out of listening to a podcast, and others (like me), don’t.

In my practice, mind maps have been useful in these contexts:

* organizing and pattern seeking – and the mapping is usually of most value to the mappers.
* pulling out key words and phrases (even the buzz ones!)
* summarizing of material that benefits from chunking (vs linear, etc.)

My two bits — rather late in the convo!

By: Tarmo Toikkanen

Tarmo Toikkanen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:40:17 +0000

Mind maps are personal since they can be made with personal choices. Concept maps, on the other hand, have strict structure and can be understood by anyone else. Take a look at CmapTools for an excellent free (as in beer) Java based concept mapping tool.

By: Rob Moser

Rob Moser — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:26:02 +0000

The comments above just tell me what I had already guessed; they _are_ quite useful for other folks who had seen the talk.

I didn’t mean for the original comment – yes, that was me – to be scathing (which I hope you know me well enough to know, but perhaps needs explaining to other readers here because I appear to have been a little “pointed” with my language that day…) I was (and to the extent to which the question remains unanswered, still am) genuinely curious as to whether it was a useful tool for communicating content to non-audience members. Just because I haven’t learned to use it yet doesn’t make it useless; some of the best tools require training and practice to use, and perhaps I just need to do my homework. On the other hand, if its primarily used as a mnemonic for yourself or others who saw the talk, then I can perhaps afford to feel a little less behind, and should just seek out some of McAfee’s content via a different media.

The “more or less randomly connected” quip was purely about its appearance to an outsider. I know you well enough to know you weren’t just doodling lines, I just couldn’t follow the connections without more context.

By: Cheryl Hall

Cheryl Hall — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:47:02 +0000

Clark,
I loved the mindmaps you published for the conference. I spent my time tweeting during these sessions, so they are really
helpful. I always thought mindmaps were BEST used by participants. The connection of main points to the center and the
connected thoughts off each shoot help me remember the points McAfee was making. I am planning to use your maps as well
as the ones I did myself to debrief the conference with my team.
Thanks again
CH

By: Jane Bozarth

Jane Bozarth — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:58:21 +0000

Clark,
It’s funny, but the reader comment that your mindmap is “Just kind of a collection of buzz-phrases in thought bubbles, more or less randomly connected” is often pretty much what we hear from critics (or, perhaps more accurately, confused observers) of the weekly Twitter #lrnchat sessions. Some find it messy and frustrating; I find it exhilarating and thought-provoking. I don’t subscribe to the “learning styles” myths, but I am starting to wonder if there really are groups of learners we might call “linear thinkers” and “other”.

What I find especially interesting: I don’t see your mindmap as a “visual” at all. Looks like an outline to me, and where there are phrases I can fill in the blanks. I understand it perfectly even though it’s spiderweb-shaped. Good work.

By: Tanja

Tanja — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:34:44 +0000

I use mindmaps a lot. Whenever I want to capture a topic or develop a concept (for an article, a presentation or a conversation with a customer) I find mindmaps very helpful. And even for work in a team I find them great, at least at the stage of brainstorming or elaborating an idea.

By: Bert Bates

Bert Bates — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:42:11 +0000

I’m a HUGE fan of mindmaps. It’s an essential part of the author training we do. With that said, I tend to think of mindmaps as being most useful in the early stages of content development, and not so much as a way to ultimately deliver content. In other words, mindmaps are a great way to take notes during a presentation, but I probably wouldn’t publish one.