The library will have over 300 images in five main categories: Buttons, Electronics, Objects, People and Symbols:

As a hardcore user of mind mapping software to plan and manage all of my work and personal tasks, as well as to solve problems, I’m happy to hear about this. Images add a richness and visual cues to mind maps, making them easier to absorb, understand and remember.

The image library add-in for MindManager sells for US$29 and is currently available (from the Mindjet online store) for the English, German, and French MS-Windows desktop versions. A Japanese will be available later, though no mention is made of the Mac version of MindManager.

I’ve been using mind mapping for a very long time, and used it successfully for many uses in my career and personal life. Since adding the use of mind mapping software to my paper maps, it’s been much easier for me to solve more complex problems than on just paper. (In fact, I’m working on an ebook or two about complex problem solving.)

In fact, mind mapping is now part of my daily work routine. As someone who works online (i.e., a web worker and aspiring Digital Nomad), it’s very very easy for me to surf websites and get sidetracked from work. Using a “personal dashboard” mind map helps keep me on track. Using audible timers per task helps remind me that I’ve alloted only so much time to a project.

Mind maps are not just for solving complex math or technical problems. I’ve figured out career paths, solved personal problems between myself and another person and much more. Mind maps are merely a tool, but because of the visual approach, it’s far easier to get a whole picture about something, then narrow down to details when necessary.

If you’re looking to get started with mind mapping, there are a lot of resources available. Don’t forget to check back here as I’m hoping to post more about problem solving with mind maps, as it applies to web working, freelancing, learning, creativity and productivity.

New XMind 3.01 Features

Version 3.01 not only has multiple new features but a number of bugs have been fixed as well. Here are the new features, as taken from the release notes of 3.01:

1. New Mind Map Structure: Clockwise and Anti Clockwise
2. Import XMind 2008 file.
3. Export to XMind 2008 file.
4. Map Shot:  User can set a path to save.
5. Hyperlink: Users can add Local File/Folder link, and topic link (in the same workbook) to a topic.
6. The personal markers in a map can be seen after opening the map in another computer.
7. Multi-lingual: New languages package including German, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
8. New relationship style: Zigzag.
9. New markers.

XMind does have some weird application behavior quirks, but overall, it’s a great, powerful free package that’s ideal for getting people started on mind mapping.

If you’re using MindManager 8 and up, there’s an embedded Internet Explorer web browser. So any file type that I.E. can handle will be played internally. For other audio formats, the default application will start. (Just note that you can use pretty much any mind mapping application that allows linking to an audio file.) If you look at the image above, you can see an audio icon to the right of the main mind map node.

Applications of this include audio notes for courses – particularly language learning – and any step-by-step instructional content.

If your budget is a bit limited for now, you can download MindManager for a 30-day trial (MM 8 for PC, MM 7 Pro for Mac). If you’re more the OpenSource or “free software” type, you have the standard choice of the multi-platform FreeMind. More recently XMind has become not only free but OpenSource. I have not played around with it much yet, but even the free version has some map types (fishbone) not found in MindManager. It does have an “organization chart” mode, which is one of my favorites in MindManager. It claims to have spreadsheet nodes, but from what I can tell at a cursory inspection is that it’s just a table, not a spreadsheet. You cannot do spreadsheet-y things such as add up columns or rows. However, you can embed sub-maps within each cell.

XMind Pro offers additional features, including Project Management options such as “Gantt View”. The only drawback that I see is that XMind Pro, despite being a desktop application, uses a monthly subscription model. My feeling is that I’m happy to pay a subscription fee for web apps that I intend to use and can access from pretty much anywhere I have an Internet connection. If I’m buying a desktop app, I’m expecting a flat one-time rate.

So what can you do about it? Well, if you’re like me and have integrated MindJet MindManager mind mapping software into your daily workflow, you can use their Timer feature (5-60 min) to limit yourself on a per project basis. Initiate the timer to the duration you want, press play (don’t forget that part), then start working. A popup will tell you when time is up. You can restart if you need to.

At the bottom end of the list, there’s the free FreeMind which runs on PC, Mac and Linux. (Some of the web-based mind mapping apps have free versions as well.) My favorite mind mapping and productivity tool, MindJet’s MindManager 8, isn’t on Chuck’s list because it is amongst one of the highest priced in this category of software, if not the highest. Still, if you’re serious about mind mapping and need a professional package, MindManager is worth every cent.

Since January 2007, it’s become my favorite work productivity tool ever, and I’ve barely tapped into the new features in MM 8, besides internal web search and the embedded browser. Wait, there’s more. For all you coders out there, they’ve released an API (Application Programmer Interface), which simply means that if you come up with an idea for a new Map Part, you can build it yourself. I intended to do just that, and hopefully will be able to integrate Mind Manager 8 with Yahoo Pipes.

Wait, still more. I believe we might just be able to post articles to a blog platform such as WordPress, from within a MindManager mind map!! (Though I need to create a custom Map Part for this.) If this is possible, I might never need to use my web browsers again.

Oh, did I tell you about MindManager Web and MindManager Connect? The former is a web version of MindManager, which integrates nicely with the desktop version. The latter is a way for remote teams to share their maps online and to collaborate.

Wondering what they’ll do for an encore? I don’t know yet, but it’s pity that they decided to use Microsoft Internet Explorer as their embedded browser. Maybe someday (soon?) they’ll use a real web browser such as Firefox or some Mozilla offshoot. Problem is, since MM versions have always been so tight with MS products, that may not happen. But a productivity geek can dream, can’t he?

If you didn’t already know, you can download a copy of MindManager 8 for a free, fully-functioning 30 day trial for MS Windows. If you’re on a Mac, can get a free 30 day trial for MindManager 7 Pro. If you do any sort of project management, don’t forget to download a trial copy of JVC Gantt as well.

P.S. Here’s something else to consider, once you realize how valuable the embedded web browser and the increased integration with MS Office products is… You can check your Outlook e-mail from within MindManager 8. You can also visit any website that offers IM (Instant Message chat) or VoIM (voice over IM) capability. (Or you can get a MindManager Connect subscription and collaborate in real-time with teammates and colleagues.) With MindManager 8, you have a master control panel for aspects of your online work day.

No, there’s nothing wrong with your eyes. The mind map snapshot above is intentionally blurred because it represents a very personal problem solving session. Okay, so what’s the point in showing the map then? Well, take a look at the mind map’s node colors first, and we’ll get back to the map in a moment. It’s easier to “see” the colors without them being obscured by text, and they are part of the key to problem solving using mind maps.

Problem Solving
At some point in your life, you’ve possibly encountered a problem, either personal or at work, that you need to think about extensively to solve. If you’re like most people faced with a difficult problem, you either try to (1) ignore it; (2) solve it in your head; or (3) make a list of “pros” and “cons” for various options. This might be sufficient to solve the problem, but there’s an option (4): mind mapping, is a much more effective way to explore your options.

By the very nature of the mind mapping process, and because of the visual elements, both your logical and creative sides are stimulated, and you might come up with solutions that you had not previously considered.

The Color Scheme
For example, in the mind map above, the central element (pinkish map node) has five main branches. Each main branch represents a problem-solving option/ solution. Each of the main branches in the mind map has sub-branches exploring pros and cons of the option.

Going with a traditional coloring scheme (at least for North America), I’ve used red to indicate a negative/ unacceptable side effect and green to represent a positive/ acceptable side effect. Pinks and purples represent various shades of “caution”, and light greens and blues represent positives that are not as significant as a dark green. Note that the main node of a solution/ option branch can take on any of the colors indicated. Just because it has sub-nodes that are dark green does not make the solution a good one because any important negatives will play a role in reducing the option’s validity.

I chose red/green color scheme because it was easiest for me to work with. The scheme you use should suit your needs. E.g., factor in red-green color blindness, if you suffer from that affliction. Or if you prefer oranges and blues, that’s fine too.

The Result
The net result is that not only have I mapped out my problem-solving options, but I have a fairly clear view of which ones are most acceptable, simply by looking at the node colors. Any main branch with lots of green and blue sub-nodes is a potential solution. However, you have to decide what color a main branch node should be, from the sum of its parts.

Now, just by looking at the (blurred) mind map up top, can you pick out which branch represents the best option for solving my problem? It’s the one on the bottom right.

Mind mapping is a great way to brainstorm, and if you’ve brainstormed successfully, you know how valuable the process is – especially for work productivity. Brainstorming using mind mapping software is actually very simple:

1. Open up a new mindmap.
2. Create and label the root “node”, or central idea, of the map.
3. Brainstorm and start adding “child” map nodes, off the top of your head, which relate to the root node. As with regular brainstorming, don’t “edit” yourself just yet; let the ideas flow first.
4. Keep adding ideas, and branch off into related topics if the urge strikes you.
5. When you’re out of ideas, take a break. Repeat step 3 if you want to record more ideas.
6. Now start reorganizing all the child nodes into clusters of related topics and sub-topics. Let the hierarchy reveal itself to you. (This process might take a few revisions until you’re happy with it.)
7. Add extra info such as text/ node colors, dates, links to other resources/ web pages/ mind maps, embedded images, icons, notes, and whatever else is relevant.

The “brainstorming with mind maps” process might take a bit of getting used to, but it really is quite a natural process.