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Boost Your Brainstorming Session with MindMeister
Posted by Gina Trapani at 2:00 AM on July 15, 2008
Jotting a simple list is a great way to brainstorm, but when you want to visualise, organise, and untangle a deep set of ideas, you want a mind map. Web-based mind mapping tool MindMeister offers a simple interface to create mind maps collaboratively or on the go. We've mentioned a few mind mapping apps in the past, and showed you how to mind map meetings as an alternative to linear note-taking. But if you haven't tried mind mapping yet, MindMeister is a great place to start. Let's dive into MindMeister to give mind mapping a go without downloading a thing.
What's a Mind Map?
In short, a mind map is a diagram of related information around a central idea. Wikipedia says a mind map is:An image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organisational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within.You start with a central node on your diagram, which represents the main topic. Then, from that node, you create sub nodes, which can have sub nodes, and so on. A mind map is a visual outline that encourages free-form thinking and instant capture. Here's a simple mind map I put together in MindMeister while I was brainstorming the Better Lifehacker Firefox extension.
Here you can see that the topic is the Firefox extension, so that's the central node. From there, the main sections of the extension branch out—in this case, posts, and comments. Then each of those has lists associated with it.
This structure works for any topic or idea you want to riff on and jump back and forth amongst sub nodes and add lists and sub-lists too. When you're working in a group on a big idea with lots of facets to it, a mind map can get large and deep. However, because it's so easy to zoom in on a node, the visual structure helps you focus on small bits while still showing you relationships between items.
Benefits of a Web-based Mind Mapper
While loyal mind mappers will recommend desktop apps like Freemind to manage and edit your maps, MindMeister offers features only a web-based tool can.
Create and add to maps via email. MindMeister gives you two secret email addresses—one to create new maps, and one to add to an existing map. Send an indented list of items to that address via email, and MindMeister will add the node to your default map or create a new map, depending on what address you used. Here's what the email for the Better Lifehacker map looked like.
Using this feature on your desktop (as pictured) is a lot less useful than the most obvious advantage—sending that email from your cell phone on the go.
See other user's public maps. If you're a work style voyeur like we are, you'll love browsing through other MindMeister users' public maps. For example, here's a good public Getting Things Done mind map, one on the topic of what makes its author happy, and another on what is Web 2.0.
Share, publish, and collaborate. Likewise, you can make your own maps public, or grant other users read-only or edit rights to the map. Your MindMeister dashboard shows you what maps you've shared, published, or kept private.
Annotate, format, and augment your map. MindMeister lets you annotate, format, and add deep information to nodes in several ways. 
Insert links, file attachments, icons, due dates, priorities, and notes (pictured right) to any node. Customise each node's font size, colour, and style to format your map to your heart's content. You can even look up related information on Wikipedia, del.icio.us or Google on each node. (Just select it, and expand the "Information" section on the sidebar, and click on an icon to search on one of the services.)
We've only scratched the surface of what MindMeister can do right inside your browser. While it's fun to see what you can do with tools like this, it's all about what you do do with it. Are you new to mind maps? Veterans, what's your favourite mind mapping tool? What types of brainstorming or information organizing do you use mind maps for? Do share, in the comments.
Gina Trapani, the editor of Lifehacker, may be late to the mind mapping party, but is still having a great time. Her feature Geek to Live appears every week on Lifehacker.
Tags: brainstorming | geek to live | mind maps | organise | productivity | webapps
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
dangerp
Posted 2:25 AM 15/7/08
I've been using mindmeister for about a month now, and I'm really impressed with the interface and the usability. It's by far the best computer-based method I have found for getting all of my thoughts and ideas into a documented form.
Seeing as this is lifehacker, I'm suprised you didn't mention how keyboard friendly it is. I made an entire mindmap while barely touching the mouse. Makes it almost possible to jot down my ideas at the speed that I come up with them!
dangerp
Rhayader
Posted 3:55 AM 15/7/08
I don't have any opinion about MindMeister specifically, but I feel like I need to speak for those of us who just don't like mind maps in general. While they seem to be increasing in popularity, and many people seem to benefit from the approach, there are also those of us who just don't get much out of it.
The thing is, mind mapping is almost exclusively a visual tool. To someone who can learn a lot more from listening to or reading a description, this kind of visualization seems esoteric and chaotic. To me, it often can obscure rather than reveal an understanding of the true nature of the problem.
To each his own, of course. I just needed to throw my two cents in, because lately my RSS feeds seem to be filled more and more with mind map programs, web sites, and techniques.
Rhayader
Gina Trapani
Posted 4:21 AM 15/7/08
@Rhayader: I know exactly where you're coming from. I'm not a visual person--seriously, I have problems reading maps, and it gets me lost often--and when the mind mapping craze of 2005 was happening the whole thing left me cold and I didn't get in on it, because I felt like "hey I'm not a visual thinker so this isn't for me."
Then, recently, I was making a giant outline for a project I was working on and it got really unwieldy and long and I thought "I would love to draw this on a giant whiteboard or visualize it somehow." Next thing I knew I was making a mind map in MindMeister, and got totally sold on the process.
This is not to say that mind maps are for everyone. They may NOT be for you. What I am saying, though, is even if you don't think they're for you but you haven't tried it, next time you need to brainstorm something or take quick notes, keep it in mind as an option. Even if you're not (or in my case, think I'm not) a visual thinker.
Gina Trapani
Porree
Posted 7:01 AM 15/7/08
@retius:
You got a point here...
What I like about digital mindmapping is the fact, that I can cross-link nodes to websites, documents, images, whatever...
I think it's more convenient than to refer to a paper folder, or a page number in a book when you can instantly see what you're linking to with a single mouse click.
Porree
Rhayader
Posted 6:12 AM 15/7/08
@Gina Trapani: Well, if Gina tells me I should try it out, I guess I should!
Seriously though, you're probably right; I'm sure there are cases and situations in which this approach would help. I guess I just have a much more algorithmic approach to learning and sharing information; to me, a mind map is just sort of a "cloud" of data, and doesn't really contribute much to my overall understanding.
Anyway, thanks for the response Gina!
Rhayader
retius
Posted 5:02 AM 15/7/08
I mind-map a lot. I use it to write all my seminar papers, help figure out website structures, all sorts of things. I've discovered the killer ap for mind-mapping, however, and I'm getting irritated at the number of reviews of mind-mapping softwares that overlook my favorite.
It's called Pencil & Paper. It's ultra-portable, doesn't require an internet hookup (or even a power source), super easy to use, and has never frozen up, lost a file, or gone glitchy on me.
In all seriousness, why are so many talented programmers wasting so much time and effort making applications that hardly surpass the simple paper and pencil approach?
I guess there's the advantage of being able to share the maps over email, etc. but I could always scan the page and send that.
If I wanted something more professional-looking, it's literally only a couple minutes' effort to reproduce the mindmap once you've worked it out on one of the four or five different graphics programs I already have on my computer...
Heck, MSPaint does a pretty decent job of it!
retius
AriMMki
Posted 7:34 AM 15/7/08
I've been using Mindmeister for a couple of months now, trying to make sense of my master's thesis. It has worked wonders for me, but I'd really like to see two additional features.
1) A way of linking subnodes together. The mindmap organizes itself in a top down fashion, but occasionally you have items on the lower rungs that are somehow connected. It would be nice to be able to draw a line between subnodes to visualize the connection.
2) A view of all the tasks set in the map, preferably sortable by due date. As of this moment, I probably have some 30 tasks set up in my 400+ node map, and there seems to be no way to pull these tasks other than to scour the map node by node.
Anybody have a solution for either of my problems?
Oh, and for the people who prefer pen & paper: each and every node in my map contains a note, a link, or both, while some have attachments. There is no way this wealth of information could be stored in paper format - well, there is, but I got rid of my filing cabinet after high school.
AriMMki
ddouthitt
Posted 8:15 AM 15/7/08
These mindmapping tools are fascinating - and seem to be quite useful, though I don't use them as much myself.
However, I am reminded often of the disparity between what people call mind-maps and what the original "Mind Map(tm)" was conceived to be. The original uses multiple colors, tactile sensation, drawing, and more. Having read most of Tony Buzan's book that introduced mind maps, none of the computerized versions come close. He even discusses a German mindmapper who created mind maps as paintings (and sold them!).
Here's Tony's web site with a representative map on the front page:
[www.buzanworld.com]
ddouthitt
dedalusjmmr
Posted 8:41 AM 15/7/08
Wonderful tutorial, Gina. And MindMeister is maybe the most user-friendly mindmapping webapp out there. Nevertheless, Mind42 (straight out'a beta) has a killer feature: free export to Freemind format (and also to RTF), something you have to pay in MindMeister.
I am willing to sacrifice a tiny bit of usability (almost unnoticeable, as soon as you get used to the interface) for the ability to go offline and use Freemind. Whoever comes with a sync utility (some kind of Google Gears for mindmaps) will be the winner.
dedalusjmmr
circuitpirate
Posted 11:54 AM 15/7/08
After reading this post I started using MindMeister, it is very revolutionary. I hated using these types of bubble charts in school because it was so impractical, but now with this programs ease of use I actually can enjoy the concept. Definitely a big help in my paper writing and essay outlining.
Score: 5/5
circuitpirate
rtipping
Posted 12:33 PM 15/7/08
The free web app stuff is cool but if you find yourself turned on or tuned over mind mapping then Mindjet mind manager is the way to go there is no comparison especially like most of us your stuck with the office suite mind manager interfaces with Microsoft seamlessly the quality is great .
rtipping
Kringo
Posted 1:48 PM 15/7/08
I am absolutely loving the MindMeister program. I've been trying to find a way to keep track of all my various projects at work and share them to managers. I had tried MindMeister and liked it but was interested in something that had Gantt chart functionality. I ended up settling for MindJet with jcvgantt. After 3 weeks of really trying to make it work I came to the conclusion that the trade off on usability wasn't worth it. I ended up returning the Mindjet with jcvgantt, confirming my suspicions of lackluster customer support along the way. I've been happily using MindMeister and love it despite losing a project management piece I would love to have.
The value keeps reaffirming itself as I begin to use the geistesblitz and map sharing capabilities.
Kringo
chuckfrey
Posted 1:27 PM 15/7/08
MindMeister has always been an innovator in the web-based mind mapping market. A case in point: it's Geistesblitz gadgets, which enable you to send ideas and topics to your default map via Yahoo Widgets, iGoogle, iPhone, Mac OS X Dashboard or Windows Vista Gadgets - without actually opening your MindMeister account. You can also install a browser extension to MSIE and Firefox to that provides similar functionality. These are very simple and convenient tools for capturing your ideas on the fly. You can also take your MindMeister Maps offline using Google Gears. Cool stuff!
In addition, in April the developers of MindMeister launched a version 2.0 that adds several other innovative enhancements, including WunderLink and WunderNote. To learn more about these tools, please read my review of MindMeister 2.0.
chuckfrey
Durbrow
Posted 3:08 PM 15/7/08
A potentially cheaper alternative is Mind42.com. I find it easier to use than MindMeister.
Durbrow
youngheart80
Posted 8:46 PM 15/7/08
@ddouthitt: That's the funny part of about most things that are successful - the person who actually came up with the basic idea was usually wrong about how it will be implemented.
Personally, I really like mind mapping - it enables me to see where the holes in my plan/outline/map exist. However, reading someone else's map is just painful. I don't know that I would share my maps even if I could using Freemind. I use maps for planning and brainstorming, but I don't often go back and review them in detail - just get the basics of what I need then I have it archived if I ever do need to go back. Course, mine also don't get super-elaborate either.
youngheart80
symo
Posted 10:31 PM 15/7/08
OK, personally I prefer an ordered process chart. However mindmaps do have some uses in large group meetings for my projects. Can anyone suggest something (other than paper and pen) that is FREE and has most of the mindmeister functionality in a stand alone application?
symo
Myrddin-Wyllt
Posted 1:28 AM 16/7/08
Best part about Freemind is you don't need an internet connection like you do with mindmeister.
Myrddin-Wyllt
Myrddin-Wyllt
Posted 1:28 AM 16/7/08
@symo:
Freemind ([freemind.sourceforge.net]). it's free (which is as inexpensive as they come) and is an excellent mind-mapping software, as far as I can tell. It's also been getting some critical acclaim from software gurus, according to their wiki.
Myrddin-Wyllt
Internet-TV
Posted 1:22 AM 16/7/08
Excellent can use it to plot out a new project.
Internet-TV
The Consultant
Posted 2:18 AM 16/7/08
@Rhayader: I have to agree. I have never really gotten the mind map concept at all. When I am in a meeting or thinking about projects, my mental processes tend to be more matrix/grid/schedule/activity-dependency oriented.
The mind map to me seems chaotic and without focus. Wish I could find some useful examples of how a mind map can be better applied than an outline or a dependency Gantt Chart.
Maybe it is a left brain, right brain issue.
@retius: I, too, rely on the ever productive pencil/paper to capture visualizations - never fails.
The Consultant
Lazarus
Posted 4:44 AM 16/7/08
I've tried using the Pen & Paper mindmapping application, but found it lacked the ability to collaborate over large distances with other people. Also, I have found that occasionally it loses a file, especially when something is accidentally spilled on it. Also, there is a big issue with scalability with it. It seems you need to purchase more copies of Pen & Paper if your mind map gets larger than the original application. My last gripe is that while it is good as a single location application, if it is at home, I am unable to work on it remotely from another location, such as my office, or the park, where I eat lunch and an idea comes to mind. I've tried to use multiple instances of Pen & Paper for when Im at a different location, but it seems there is no file import feature and Im forced to recopy everything manually into the original file.
Lazarus
quail
Posted 4:24 AM 16/7/08
@retius: It's true. Mind mapping works just as well if not better with pen and paper.
The two biggest advantages that mind mapping with a program can give you is that it is not limited to the size of a sheet of paper. Plus documents and websites can be linked to nodes on the mind map.
quail
symo
Posted 5:07 AM 16/7/08
@Myrddin-Wyllt:
Thanks for the hint MW. Will try that out.
symo
Arutha
Posted 11:15 AM 19/7/08
It bothers me that such mindmapping tools don't support linking `conclusions' to each other. Two branches of thoughts could lead to the same problem/solution/considerations/etc right? So why not merge at that point.
Compendium ([compendium.open.ac.uk]) actually is able to do so. It essentially creates a graph of questions, answers, arguments, pros, cons, decisions, and references (pdf, websites, word documents, etc.). On top of that each node can be tagged for easy searching, grouping etc. Furthermore, in order to keep some overview in your graph, compendium supports a map hierarchy. Each map can contain a graph, and maps themselves can also form graphs.
Compendium is argument mapping software. Mind mapping, Argument mapping...whatever makes people happy: PURPOSE BEATS NAMING!
Arutha