Firstly let me say that I have been using mind mapping software in some shape or form for the last couple of years. Over time, I have used, and researched lots of different types of mind mapping software. I was really looking for a piece of software that gave me all the advantages of mind mapping on the computer, but also had a easy going natural hand drawn look about it.
After a lot of searching I finally came across iMindMap. Although no piece of software will ever be completely perfect, it certainly ticked a lot of boxes, especially the ones that mattered most. I usei iMindMap professional version and absolutely love it. Never before have I been able to explore ideas in so much detail, so easily while having so much fun.
So why exactly have I settled on iMindMap?
There are a number of reasons which I will outline below.
The first is that I really enjoy using it. I find that it is very intuitive and easy to use. It is a very freeing experience. The mind maps which are produced from it are very organic and natural looking. I think that part of the reason that they have achieved such a good piece of software is that it has been developed with the assistance of Tony Buzan.
Tony Buzan is really regarded as the modern founder of mind maps. This has meant that the software has been developed around the principles which he believes to be most effective in maximising the potential of the human mind.
The second is that it uses colourful and natural looking curved branches. The human mind has greater affinity for things which look like things which we see in our world. Most things in the natural world are curved. Thinks of things such as branches of a tree, rarely are they straight lines. It tends to look a lot more flowing and natural than a series of straight lines. It is generally a lot more of a pleasing and enjoyable experience. Most mind mapping software uses straight lines or only really allows curves for the first couple of branches.
The third is that it allows you to have many different coloured branches. Colour is also of great importance. Which do you prefer to watch? Colour television or Black and White? If you are like me or most other people then you prefer colour. It more closely represents the world around us. It is more exciting.
The fourth is that the final result is the closest I could find that represents hand drawn mind maps. I wanted all of the advantages of mind maps on the computer but did not want to give up the natural flowing looking mind maps that drawing by hand creates. I did not want black and white, or straight lines.
The fifth reason is that IMindMap allows speed mind mapping. This means that you can just type and the computer draws all of the branches and spreads them out evenly from each other. This means that you can very rapidly build your mind map. I really like this feature and do all of my mind maps in this mode. You can even learn some keyboard shortcuts which make it even faster to use again.
The sixth reason is that you can drag and drop branches from one location to another. This is amazingly intuitive. You can rearrange your mind map so quickly and easily. You don’t even need to copy and paste, just drag and drop and it is all done for you.
The seventh reason is that you are able to attach images, website links and shortcuts to files on your computer to any of the branches. This means you can very quickly navigate to the file or website that you want, without the need to go searching all over your computer. Again most mind map software just does not allow you to do this.
The eighth reason is that you are able to zero in on any of the branches and make them a temporary centre of your mind map. Once you have fleshed out that part of the mind map you can zoom back out again. This is particularly useful if your mind map is getting particularly large.
Any of these features are fantastic in their own right but put all of them in one piece of mind mapping software then you truly have something which is truly excellent.
What should you do now?
You should give it a try yourself. You can download a free trial of a full working version here. Spend some time learning how to use it by watching the library of video tutorials. They are very clear and straight forward to follow.
Once you understand the basics of how to use it, start mapping out some things in your life. Some topics that could be really cool to start on could include planning your next dream holiday, your latest hobby, any projects you are working on in your personal life or at work, what you want to do in the next week or month. Once you have done one print it out and marvel at your new creation. Chances are that you will be very happy about it and you will think, what else can I mind map.
