I’ve been discussing Learning Maps™ and mind-mapping software with several of you and others for a while now. That is also the section I’m currently working on in my new book (soon to be released, Lord willing). That has sent me to further research. So here’s some info to add to previous posts. (And look for my new book to come out, that will have a complete section on Learning Maps™ – what they are and why and how to use them.)
I believe there are 4 contenders for making good mind-maps on the computer. Gratefully, they are now all available for both Mac and windows computers. All of them will cost you something. But all of them also come with free trial periods (at their home websites.) So you can test them out and even compare them to see which you like best before purchasing. FreeMind seems to be the best free, as in no-cost, mind-mapping software, but it still doesn’t have the features that make mind-mapping the effective learning tool that it is meant to be. So I don’t consider it a contender.
The newest Mind Mapping software is the only one that has incorporated all of the features that make Mind Mapping the powerful learning tool that it is. I’m just getting started with it. So before I tell you more about it, I’ll tell you about the other three – that I know more about.
As previously announced, we are now affiliates of NovaMind, one of our favorite mind-mapping programs we’ve been using. Since I wrote on it a couple weeks ago, I won’t add more right now.
Inspiration, the other program I own and am currently using, can be purchased through our Amazon affiliate link. You can also download a free trial at Inspiration‘s website. Inspiration was written as educational software, so is more specific to the education market than NovaMind, and a bit easier to use, but doesn’t have as many features.
MindManager, the first mind-mapping software I purchased, MANY years ago, is now available for Mac computers. (It was windows only when I got it, which is why I switched to the other two I use now.) It looks like it has been improved, and even better than when I was using it. I don’t have intentions of repurchasing it, but am working with the free trial now. It also can be purchased through our Amazon affiliate link. You can also download a free trial of MindManager at their website.
iMindMap is the newest of the four, but developed by the originator of Mind Mapping®. Since I already had 3 mind-mapping programs, I didn’t even notice that Tony Buzan had finally created his own. It works much more like hand-drawn mind maps than any of the others, increasing its effectiveness. As Buzan says, “A Mind Map created by you is far more powerful than one created for you.” I am testing it out now. Do I really want to buy ANOTHER mind mapping program? Ouch.
iMindMap is also the newest we have an affiliate partnership with. Their current offer is if you purchase version 2 before version 3 comes out next month, he’ll give you the top edition of version 3 (of 3 new levels) for free when it comes out. You will pay just over what the lowest new edition will cost. It’s not the cheapest mind-mapping application, but OTOH far cheaper than some of the business software I have that I use far less – and it offers more of what Mind Mapping should be than the others.
