Before we look at the second piece of software for mindmapping, there’s a nifty website that allows you to do the job online – perfect for if you’re away from your computer but still want to use some kind of tool to create a mindmap. So, let’s have a look at the online mindmapping tool, Mind42.
John already mentioned the main idea behind Mind42 in his comment: the 42 is, “for two”… Mind42 is intended as a way of allowing multiple people to work on the same mindmap. Now, before we go any further, I have to say that I haven’t tested collaboration in Mind42 – I’ve been using it as a mindmapping tool for when I’m not on my home computer. If anyone has experience of collaboration, please let us know in the comments! But just how easy is it to create a mindmap using this?
My major gripe about using online tools is that they tend to be a bit more clunky than desktop versions. Mind42, however, is actually pretty easy to use. You create a new mindmap and name it, and then have the option of clicking with the mouse or using keyboard shortcuts to create nodes. The tab key adds a new child node, while shift-tab adds a new sibling. This is where web-apps often fall down, but Mind42′s shortcuts make working without the mouse a piece of cake… at least for the basics.
Each node can be customised, adding attachments, URLs, converting the node to an image, or changing the colour. This opens up some creative opportunities that may make your map more intuitive when you come to look at it again later.
Mind42 also allows you to integrate your mindmap into a website either by a link, or using an iFrame to display the map (yes, yes, it’s another test map – it’s not meant to be that serious!).
You can also export your map as a PDF, PNG, RTF, MindManager, or Freemind document – handy if you do want to work online but ultimately prefer to work in your favourite program afterwards.
In short, Mind42 is easy to use once you get used to the keyboard shortcuts, does everything you’d expect for building mindmaps, and integrates with other program through export (and import) options. All in all, not too shabby.
Other posts in this series:
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