Ondrej Holzman Mind maps are constantly gaining popularity. Although it is a very effective way of learning or organizing, the overall awareness of this method is not very high. So let's take a closer look at the application MindNode, which can lead you to mind maps.
What are mind maps?
First of all, you need to know what mind maps actually are. Mind maps have been used for centuries for learning, remembering or solving problems. Nevertheless, the invention of so-called modern mind maps is claimed by a certain Tony Buzan, who brought them back to life about 30 years ago.
The creation of mind maps itself is simple, at least its basic idea. It is then up to each person how they adapt their structure to suit them.
The basic principles of mind maps are associations, connections and relationships. The main topic that we want to analyze is usually placed in the center of the paper (electronic surface), and subsequently, using lines and arrows, various parts that are somehow related to the subject are "packaged" on it.
It is not out of the question to use various symbols and graphic accessories if they help you in orientation. It is also recommended to use mainly short passwords and phrases to keep the structure as simple as possible. There is no point in entering long sentences and sentences into mind maps.
How to use mind maps?
Mind (or sometimes mental) maps have no primary purpose. The possibilities of their use are practically endless. Just as well as a teaching aid, mind maps can be used for organizing time, creating projects, but also for classic writing of structured notes.
It is also important to choose the form in which you will create mind maps - manually or electronically. Each form has its advantages and disadvantages, it is practically the same as with the organization of time (e.g. GTD), about which a lot has already been written.
Today, however, we will look at the electronic creation of mind maps using the MindNode application, which exists for Mac and in a universal version for iOS, i.e. for iPhone and iPad.
MindNode
MindNode is by no means a complex application. It has a simple interface that is designed to distract you as little as possible while concentrating and to enable the efficient creation of mind maps.
The desktop and mobile versions are practically identical, the difference is mainly in the so-called feeling, when creating on the iPad feels much more natural and similar to that on paper. However, the advantage of the electronic method of recording mind maps is mainly the synchronization and the possibilities you can do with your creation. But more on that later.
MindNode for iOS
Indeed, you would be hard pressed to find a simpler interface. It's true that there are apps that are much more pleasing to the eye, but that's not the point of MindNode. This is where you have to concentrate and think, not get distracted by some flashing buttons.
You will quickly master the creation of mind maps. Either you connect the "bubbles" to each other using the "+" button and then dragging, or you can use the two buttons above the keyboard, which immediately create a new coordinate or inferior branch. Individual branches automatically get different colors, while you can modify all lines and arrows – change their colors, style and thickness. Of course, you can also change the font and all its attributes, as well as the appearance of individual bubbles.
The function is useful Smart Layout, which automatically aligns and arranges branches for you so they don't overlap. This is especially useful for larger projects, where you can easily get lost in the amount of lines and colors if the layout is bad. The ability to display the entire map as a structured list from which you can expand and collapse branched parts will also help in orientation.
MindNode for Mac
Unlike the iOS app, which can only be purchased in a single paid version for $10, it offers a development team IdeasOnCanvas for Mac two variants – paid and free. Free MindNode offers only the bare essentials needed to create a mind map. Therefore, let's focus primarily on the more advanced version of MindNode Pro.
However, it offers more or less the same functions as its iOS sibling. Creating maps works on the same principle, only you use the mouse and keyboard shortcuts instead of your fingers. In the upper panel there are buttons for expanding/collapsing selected branches. Using the button Connect then you can connect any "bubbles" to each other independently of the main structure.
In the desktop version, you can easily add images and various files to the records, and in addition, they can be easily viewed using the built-in QuickLook. Switching to full-screen mode is very productive, where you only have a white canvas in front of you and you can create undisturbed. In addition, you can create multiple mind maps at once on one canvas.
As in the iOS version, the attributes of all available elements can of course be changed in MindNode for Mac. Keyboard shortcuts can also be modified.
Sharing and syncing
Currently, MindNode can only sync to Dropbox, however, the developers are preparing iCloud support, which would make synchronization between all devices much easier. So far, it doesn't work so that you create a map on the iPad and it shows up on your Mac right away. To do this, you need to either pair the two devices (connect via the same network) or move the file to Dropbox. You can export maps from iOS to Dropbox in various formats, but the Mac version does not work with Dropbox, so you have to select the files manually.
The created mind maps can also be printed directly from the iOS application. However, the desktop version also offers export to various formats, from where maps can be e.g. in PDF, PNG or as a structured list in RTF or HTML, which is very handy.
Price
As I mentioned above, you can choose between paid and free MindNode in the Mac App Store. The trimmed down version is certainly enough to start and try, but if you want, for example, synchronization, you will have to buy the Pro version, which costs 16 euros (about 400 crowns). You don't have a similar choice in iOS, but for 8 euros (about 200 crowns) you can at least get a universal application for iPad and iPhone. So MindNode is certainly not the cheapest thing, but who knows what mind maps hide for him, he will certainly not hesitate to pay.
[button color=”red” link=”http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/mindnode/id312220102″ target=””]App Store – MindNode (€7,99)[/button][button color =“red“ link=“http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/mindnode-pro/id402398561″ target=““]Mac App Store – MindNode Pro (€15,99)[/button][button color="red" link="http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/mindnode-free/id402397683" target=""]MindNode (free)[/button]
What are we going to talk about, here the creators (or developers) still have a lot to catch up on. (not that android doesn't have it, or widle, or linux) - for most things it's still unusable at most for such domestic "chewing". Pencil and paper will still do the job x times more efficiently even at the cost of gumming and fixing.
MNP has one drawback, and that is that it is not very intuitive to control... Changing some attributes is such a pain in the ass (it does not support styles, so everything that needs to be changed on certain types of cars or items has to be changed manually, unfortunately it is not even possible to "suck in" the settings and then "apply" it to the last objects. Working with pictures is also not much. It's good, but only in 3 at the most.
I use MindNode on both an iPad and a Macbook and I'm happy with it. It's a fact that it's not perfect yet, but it's enough for the job. The iPad version is not as perfect as the competition MINDO, but this is a mind map and not a graphics studio. On the other hand, it is fast and usable on both iPad and Macbook. I would give it 3 stars out of 5 for me.
Thanks, iThoughts (or similar) review would also be useful so I know what to try. Different developer, different approach.
If you want something free, try MindMeister (iPad and iPhone)
I prefer a drawing app and draw it myself ;) it draws more into the story ;) besides the price is really harsh…
if the rough price is 200 or 400 CZK .. then you can take home papers from the company printer and buy a pen here and there :o)
I recommend TheBrain, it's more expensive in the full version, but it's worth it :-)
Execution, perfect, but the price is discouraging, I would say. I was doing a presentation at school the other day and I was using "SIMPLE MIND" as a helper, but this one really doesn't measure up in terms of UI. Although the result is the same :-) who cares about design.