If you work in a technical field, or manage projects this resource is FANTASTIC, and it's free (courtesy of a DARPA research grant). Earlier today while participating in the project / chartering definition phase of a project at work, I watched a colleague use a neat tool for visually defining and linking the parts of a project. Not only did the software seem easy to use, but the visualization really encouraged all the team members to participate.
After the meeting, I linked to the software site (IHMC Cmap), downloaded the software, did an install ... and in almost no time at all found I could use the mind mapping / process mapping software. The user interface was very intuitive.
I've linked two items below ... one is a Powerpoint file which gives annotated screenshots of the IHMC CMap user interface. The other link is to my example (i.e. a completed process map):
Here is one screenshot of the user interface (click to expand):
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try to look for Freemind. its an opensource alternative to the said applications.
Posted by: John Marvin Magsino | February 16, 2010 at 03:40 AM
any experience with rich information? file size limitations? i use mindjet mindmanager all the time, but i find that the more content i put on a map, the slower it gets. i'm looking for something that can handle information.
Posted by: sam | August 19, 2009 at 03:12 PM
www.mindjet.com has everything. It is sad to go back to something like this. Seems like 2 steps back. Collaborators need more grant money to develop the concept.
... Rich responds: MindJet looks good, but does require one buy a license fee. Thus, CMap due to the fact it is free still deserves serious review.
Posted by: NASAcrew | February 19, 2009 at 06:02 AM
Hi Rich,
You are right, this application is great. I'd add to your description that CMaps also allows for synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. Collaborators can either add comments on a map or suggest new nodes and links.
Posted by: Nadia Spang Bovey | January 23, 2009 at 05:28 AM