It is with great pleasure that we welcome Best of Show and Calvert Technologies to our Australian team of resellers and wish them all the best of success in helping us achieve our goal in making MindMapper the leading MindMapping software in the market.
Best Of Show:
Maximise Your Trade Show Investment!
Colin Green and his team have built a firm reputation in the market training exhibitors to achieve outstanding results. With valuable training and materials on how to conduct and outperform in exhibitions, using MindMapper as a tool for planning was the next logical step for Colin to provide his clients with the cutting edge advantages.
For further information on Best of Show and how they can assist you with setting up your next exhibition drop by his website at: www.bestofshow.com
Calvert Technologies:
Calvert Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner, provides high quality information technology support and consultancy services to businesses throughout Australia. With focus on providing quality solutions that don’t “break the bank” such that there clients enjoy real value and productivity with a low total cost of ownership. www.calvert.net.au
Check out the latest MindMapper Downloads or purchase your copy of MindMapper today from our website: www.EssentialMindMapping.com
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
FINDING YOUR WAY: THE GUIDE TO MINDMAPPING
Right now, we're living in an age when everyone is trying to find an advantage -- whether it's an easier way to get to work, a more efficient system to organize the office, or a way to increase creativity and productivity in the workplace. Each day finds new and innovative approaches to old ways of thinking and mindmapping is no exception.
For those of you who aren't familiar with mindmapping, basically it's a way of organizing your thoughts and ideas in a non-linear way. Why is that important? Basically, the brain doesn't think in linear fashion. It moves from thought to thought, connection to connection -- moving quickly from Point A to Point E to Point B, etc. Mindmapping is a great way to create a well-organized presentation or project.
But how does it work?
First of all, our entire system of thinking through the years has taught us to begin in the upper left-hand corner of a page. This is a product of our very linear education system. But the brain automatically gravitates towards the center -- so mindmapping has us put our main word or thought in the center of the page.
The next thing that mindmapping teaches us to is let go of the big picture for a moment. Push away all the stress and anxiety that might be hitting you at the start of the project. Instead, just dump the ideas out of your brain onto the page. This isn't the time to worry about whether or not the boss is going to be blown away by your presentation. Time enough to worry about that later on. Right now, you just need to have a little fun -- don't hold back. Whatever comes to mind, go ahead and use it.
Free association now enters the picture. As your ideas explode onto the page, you'll put one- and two-word descriptions and "branches" onto the page. At this point, you're going to want to eliminate the little "editor" that we carry around in our heads. Don't hold back. Just go from one word to another to another. For example, if one of your words is "green," you might free associate with "money" and "environment" and "forest" and "magic." (See how that last word doesn't even have anything that I can figure out has to do with "green," but I put it out there so that it can be viewed later on.)
Another important aspect of mindmapping is speed. The human brain works best in five minute spurts. Therefore, get those ideas down as rapidly as possible. By using short words and phrases, you'll be able to pack things onto the page that can be examined later on.
Forget the old rules. Mindmapping means that you aren't bound by a typical 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper and a black pen. With the mindmapping software out there, the sky's the limit -- colors, thicknesses, images. They're all there and they're all part of the process that you can use to generate a final product that is going to be lightyears beyond what you've done before.
Don't worry about what you're putting down. When you're mindmapping, you want to get as many ideas as possible onto the page. That means that if you suddenly remember that you've got to get the dog groomed, write down "grooming." If you try to push it out of your mind, it'll get stuck there.
Keep on truckin'. Make sure that you don't stop. You want to keep going so if you find that you're not moving forward, make a shape or stick in a picture or just jot down something else. Change colors. Change the thicknesses of the lines. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you don't lose that forward momentum.
At times, you're going to see immediate connections to your theme but don't worry if they're not apparent at first. You can always sit down and study what you've done at some future time. The first thing to do is get those ideas out of your head and onto the paper.
Keep in mind that mindmapping takes practice but the more that you do it, the more that you'll see it's opened up entirely new ways of thinking that previously were not available to you. By freeing your mind to go down new avenues not expected, you just might discover that you're on the new path to success.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: www.EssentialMindMapping.com
For those of you who aren't familiar with mindmapping, basically it's a way of organizing your thoughts and ideas in a non-linear way. Why is that important? Basically, the brain doesn't think in linear fashion. It moves from thought to thought, connection to connection -- moving quickly from Point A to Point E to Point B, etc. Mindmapping is a great way to create a well-organized presentation or project.
But how does it work?
First of all, our entire system of thinking through the years has taught us to begin in the upper left-hand corner of a page. This is a product of our very linear education system. But the brain automatically gravitates towards the center -- so mindmapping has us put our main word or thought in the center of the page.
The next thing that mindmapping teaches us to is let go of the big picture for a moment. Push away all the stress and anxiety that might be hitting you at the start of the project. Instead, just dump the ideas out of your brain onto the page. This isn't the time to worry about whether or not the boss is going to be blown away by your presentation. Time enough to worry about that later on. Right now, you just need to have a little fun -- don't hold back. Whatever comes to mind, go ahead and use it.
Free association now enters the picture. As your ideas explode onto the page, you'll put one- and two-word descriptions and "branches" onto the page. At this point, you're going to want to eliminate the little "editor" that we carry around in our heads. Don't hold back. Just go from one word to another to another. For example, if one of your words is "green," you might free associate with "money" and "environment" and "forest" and "magic." (See how that last word doesn't even have anything that I can figure out has to do with "green," but I put it out there so that it can be viewed later on.)
Another important aspect of mindmapping is speed. The human brain works best in five minute spurts. Therefore, get those ideas down as rapidly as possible. By using short words and phrases, you'll be able to pack things onto the page that can be examined later on.
Forget the old rules. Mindmapping means that you aren't bound by a typical 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of paper and a black pen. With the mindmapping software out there, the sky's the limit -- colors, thicknesses, images. They're all there and they're all part of the process that you can use to generate a final product that is going to be lightyears beyond what you've done before.
Don't worry about what you're putting down. When you're mindmapping, you want to get as many ideas as possible onto the page. That means that if you suddenly remember that you've got to get the dog groomed, write down "grooming." If you try to push it out of your mind, it'll get stuck there.
Keep on truckin'. Make sure that you don't stop. You want to keep going so if you find that you're not moving forward, make a shape or stick in a picture or just jot down something else. Change colors. Change the thicknesses of the lines. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you don't lose that forward momentum.
At times, you're going to see immediate connections to your theme but don't worry if they're not apparent at first. You can always sit down and study what you've done at some future time. The first thing to do is get those ideas out of your head and onto the paper.
Keep in mind that mindmapping takes practice but the more that you do it, the more that you'll see it's opened up entirely new ways of thinking that previously were not available to you. By freeing your mind to go down new avenues not expected, you just might discover that you're on the new path to success.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: www.EssentialMindMapping.com
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Three basic types of map
Earlier postings have mentioned the importance of having a clear purpose for a software mind map. In this posting we will look at three basic "types" of map. Although this might seem at odds with the divergent thinking and creativity that characterises mind maps, it is important when sharing maps with others that they understand what you are trying to achieve. There are more than three basic types, but these are the scenarios that occur frequently in business life.
"Library" maps
A Library map is a collection of reference information for the purposes of
*transferring information and knowledge
*storing and recovering useful materials
*understanding or learning something
The focus of a library map is the subject. Topics can be sub-headings or statements that are expanded, and the position of a piece of information represents its relationship to the bigger subject.
A common issue with Library maps is that the same piece of information "belongs" in more than one place - chairs can be classified as both furniture and as things made from wood. Not all Furniture is chairs, neither are all Wooden Things chairs. Do we put chairs under Wooden Things or furniture, or both? How do we decide? Or do we use a database instead? One solution is to decide on a major classification scheme where everything appears once, then identify other groupings with colours or icons.
Other users will typically navigate the map themselves by following signposts to the resources they seek.
"Presentation" maps
A Presentation map is a story or an argument, designed to
Inform an audience in a directed fashion
Argue a proposition or case
Make a call to action
The focus of a presentation map is the audience themselves, although you would not necessarily write that in the central topic. The positioning of information is relative to the audience's viewpoint, and the deeper it is in the map, the more involved they are. The development of arguments away from the centre builds on inductive thinking that justifies or amplifies higher level statements, and if your audience is still with you, then you are well placed to add more detail to the foundations you have laid.
Topics near to the centre are major statements that easily connect to your audience's world view. You can see this kind of architecture in most marketing materials - the opening gambit is usually to get you to identify with a problem or issue. Presentation maps should use statements rather than headings, and should retain their integrity when viewed at different levels of detail. You can then use the same map for the two-minute briefing to the board of directors, or the two-hour version for the technical nit-pickers. Presentation maps will also need to follow a sequence, for example clockwise.
"Tunnel Timeline" maps
A Tunnel Timeline map is a map that is designed around delivering an outcome. The primary purpose of this kind of map is to visualise success. You are drawing a picture of what success looks like, and showing the actions on the path or paths to reach it. Use Tunnel Timelines for
Project outlines and plans
Strategies
Problem solving
Topics at or near the centre of the map represent the successful outcome, and topics near the edges are the next actions to take towards those outcomes. The relationship with a "tunnel" is that the map shows your project as the light at the end of the tunnel, with your next actions around the walls nearest to you. As you make progress towards the centre, you complete the actions and decisions along the way. Major milestone topics in the map should be written as outcomes to keep you focused on achievement, e.g. "reject rate is 3%" or "client has renewed contract". This is the key benefit of visualising projects in software mind maps - you stay focused on your objective and keep your eye on where you want to go, not on your short-term direction. Responding to changes and obstacles is easier if you are focused on the big target, and a continual visual reminder of objectives is a positive force. Participants in your project or strategy can see where it is headed, and can understand how their contribution takes it forward.
"Brainstorm" maps are intermediate maps ("rough working") on the way to the above structures. We will talk about brainstorming and development techniques in the next posting.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional, find more information or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: http://www.essentialmindmapping.com/
This information was kindly provided to us from Nick Duffill Beyond Crayons at http://duffill.blogs.com
"Library" maps
A Library map is a collection of reference information for the purposes of
*transferring information and knowledge
*storing and recovering useful materials
*understanding or learning something
The focus of a library map is the subject. Topics can be sub-headings or statements that are expanded, and the position of a piece of information represents its relationship to the bigger subject.
A common issue with Library maps is that the same piece of information "belongs" in more than one place - chairs can be classified as both furniture and as things made from wood. Not all Furniture is chairs, neither are all Wooden Things chairs. Do we put chairs under Wooden Things or furniture, or both? How do we decide? Or do we use a database instead? One solution is to decide on a major classification scheme where everything appears once, then identify other groupings with colours or icons.
Other users will typically navigate the map themselves by following signposts to the resources they seek.
"Presentation" maps
A Presentation map is a story or an argument, designed to
Inform an audience in a directed fashion
Argue a proposition or case
Make a call to action
The focus of a presentation map is the audience themselves, although you would not necessarily write that in the central topic. The positioning of information is relative to the audience's viewpoint, and the deeper it is in the map, the more involved they are. The development of arguments away from the centre builds on inductive thinking that justifies or amplifies higher level statements, and if your audience is still with you, then you are well placed to add more detail to the foundations you have laid.
Topics near to the centre are major statements that easily connect to your audience's world view. You can see this kind of architecture in most marketing materials - the opening gambit is usually to get you to identify with a problem or issue. Presentation maps should use statements rather than headings, and should retain their integrity when viewed at different levels of detail. You can then use the same map for the two-minute briefing to the board of directors, or the two-hour version for the technical nit-pickers. Presentation maps will also need to follow a sequence, for example clockwise.
"Tunnel Timeline" maps
A Tunnel Timeline map is a map that is designed around delivering an outcome. The primary purpose of this kind of map is to visualise success. You are drawing a picture of what success looks like, and showing the actions on the path or paths to reach it. Use Tunnel Timelines for
Project outlines and plans
Strategies
Problem solving
Topics at or near the centre of the map represent the successful outcome, and topics near the edges are the next actions to take towards those outcomes. The relationship with a "tunnel" is that the map shows your project as the light at the end of the tunnel, with your next actions around the walls nearest to you. As you make progress towards the centre, you complete the actions and decisions along the way. Major milestone topics in the map should be written as outcomes to keep you focused on achievement, e.g. "reject rate is 3%" or "client has renewed contract". This is the key benefit of visualising projects in software mind maps - you stay focused on your objective and keep your eye on where you want to go, not on your short-term direction. Responding to changes and obstacles is easier if you are focused on the big target, and a continual visual reminder of objectives is a positive force. Participants in your project or strategy can see where it is headed, and can understand how their contribution takes it forward.
"Brainstorm" maps are intermediate maps ("rough working") on the way to the above structures. We will talk about brainstorming and development techniques in the next posting.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional, find more information or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: http://www.essentialmindmapping.com/
This information was kindly provided to us from Nick Duffill Beyond Crayons at http://duffill.blogs.com
Thursday, November 02, 2006
MindMapper 5.0 Professional - Build No.6061
Added FEATURES In MindMapper 5.0 Professional:
Spelling Check works for multiple users using a single machine.
Reduced the corner branch's bent corner by half.
Rearranged buttons in New dialog box Switched positioning of Roll-Up
and Roll-Down buttons on the toolbar.
BUG FIXES:
Fixed Bounding box resizing error when inserting image into a node.
Fixed bounding box resizing error when inserting an outline around a floating node.
Fixed inconsistant positioning behavior when target map for Consolidation has the focus.
Fixed Black background appearing when selecting a non-existing file in Browse button of New dialog box.
Fixed Programing termining after File Opne error when opening a non-existing file in New dialog box.
Fixed Rollup and Rolldown inconsistencies after selecting a node with a mouse.
Fixed new file's name using temporary filenmae when attaching to email.
Fixed program terminating when attempting to divide schedule in non-scheduled area of Schedule Window.
Fixed deactivating Hyperlink when Copying a hyperlink-less node using Paste Special -> Hyperlink.
Fixed relationship showing as a straight line instead of showing the pointer in certain maps.
Fixed defective hyperlinks after copying and pasting a map.
Fixed Logical Partition being disabled after selecting Logical Partition in Print window, selecting Preview, then returning to Print window.
Fixed allowing hidden nodes to be expanded and visible when moving a link node.
Fixed program terminating when importing a MindManager file with a relationship link and selecting that link.
Fixed auto-numbering inconsistency when deleting or moving a branch.
Fixed Open dialog box not showing Tool Buttons in Windows 2000.
Fixed Hyperlink Dialog box showing file does not exist when a wrong file path is chosen.
Fixed Maps not opening when dragged & dropped to a MindMapper window.
Fixed unselected objects unintentionally getting resized with other selected objects.
Fixed legends getting re-positioned when nodes with legends are grouped.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: www.EssentialMindMapping.com
Spelling Check works for multiple users using a single machine.
Reduced the corner branch's bent corner by half.
Rearranged buttons in New dialog box Switched positioning of Roll-Up
and Roll-Down buttons on the toolbar.
BUG FIXES:
Fixed Bounding box resizing error when inserting image into a node.
Fixed bounding box resizing error when inserting an outline around a floating node.
Fixed inconsistant positioning behavior when target map for Consolidation has the focus.
Fixed Black background appearing when selecting a non-existing file in Browse button of New dialog box.
Fixed Programing termining after File Opne error when opening a non-existing file in New dialog box.
Fixed Rollup and Rolldown inconsistencies after selecting a node with a mouse.
Fixed new file's name using temporary filenmae when attaching to email.
Fixed program terminating when attempting to divide schedule in non-scheduled area of Schedule Window.
Fixed deactivating Hyperlink when Copying a hyperlink-less node using Paste Special -> Hyperlink.
Fixed relationship showing as a straight line instead of showing the pointer in certain maps.
Fixed defective hyperlinks after copying and pasting a map.
Fixed Logical Partition being disabled after selecting Logical Partition in Print window, selecting Preview, then returning to Print window.
Fixed allowing hidden nodes to be expanded and visible when moving a link node.
Fixed program terminating when importing a MindManager file with a relationship link and selecting that link.
Fixed auto-numbering inconsistency when deleting or moving a branch.
Fixed Open dialog box not showing Tool Buttons in Windows 2000.
Fixed Hyperlink Dialog box showing file does not exist when a wrong file path is chosen.
Fixed Maps not opening when dragged & dropped to a MindMapper window.
Fixed unselected objects unintentionally getting resized with other selected objects.
Fixed legends getting re-positioned when nodes with legends are grouped.
To Download the latest version of MindMapper 5.0 Professional or to purchase from our secure online website please visit: www.EssentialMindMapping.com
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