Motivation on the Run

One of my 2007 Goals was to seek out the many aspects of mind mapping and the related software. Kicking around ideas and seeing visual representations is ideal for me because I am a linear thinker, and mind mapping is a perfect fit.

Early on, ConceptDraw’s MINDMAP 4 helped me explore the different uses, strengths, and weaknesses to the software genre. I used it exclusively for several months and liked many features of the software, but it had several quirks that drove me nuts. In fact the bad was bad enough I moved to another product.

MINDMAP 5 Professional (the latest version) eliminated those negatives for me. I am pleased with the new look and feel of the program, and the ramped-up functions are outstanding.

MINDMAP 5 Pro is still easy-to-use, requiring little use of the help files. The same commands insert sub-topics,  siblings, and children, and the menu bar contains most of what you need. The look is more Windows XP-like with rounded corners and edges, but the real changes are under the hood.

I can happily confirm these improvements listed on the web site:

1. Smart topic repositioning
2. Outline and Map views shown simultaneously
3. New brainstorm mode
4. Bigger and better clip-art galleries
5. Multiple page preview
6. Text note formatting
7. Call-outs and floating topics improved

The first one is the biggest improvement for me. With version 4, the limbs would overlap each other as you added more thoughts, requiring manual adjustments on a regular basis. Once moved, a limb remembered its position, but when working with a large map, constant readjusting cramped my creative processes instead of fostering them. MINDMAP 5 Professional fixes that with automatic arrangement of branches so they don’t overlap.

ConceptDraw added the much needed Export to PDF in the new version along with better Microsoft Office integration. If you need to share a map, the choices are much better.

I have not used some of the product’s advanced features, like project management, mind map slideshows, and customized menus, but if they work as well as the others, those who need them won’t be disappointed.  

MINDMAP 5 Professional is a worthy successor to MINDMAP 4, adding many new features and tweaking several others for the upgrade.

A full 30 day trial is available for download. If you were previously disappointed by the shortcomings of version 4,  give MINDMAP 5 Professional another chance. It’s that good.