aHa!Visual Web Export for MindManager 9

I find myself spending more times these days creating and putting up more  information on the web for both the classes the I teach and the workshops that I facilitate. As a result, I am always looking for tools that will make it easier for me to accomplish these goals. I spend a lot of time using various mind mapping tools to brainstorm and communicate the ideas and information that I will cover in my sessions. I tend to use MindManager 9 now to create a lot of my materials and have been looking for a way to quickly be able to output  my maps on the web. Several years ago I had reviewed aHa!Visual Web Export and found it to be an easy to use solution for moving my MindManager maps to the web. Since moving to MindManager 9 , I had a chance to take a look at the aHa!Visual Web Export plug-in which was recently updated to work with the latest version of Mindjet MindManager version 9.

Installing aHa!Visual Web Export was extremely simple process. To export your MindManager 9 mind map to the web you Select from the File Menu Export as Web Pages and then you will see an option to Export using the aHa!Visual Web Export plug in. While there are lots of ways to customize how the map will render on the web page- it is easy enough to select the default options and save your outputted files to a folder on your desktop. Once you save the outputted files you can simply upload them to your server to display them. I found the process very easy to do and within minutes I was able to view my map on the web. All of your notes and web page links are live when they are exported. You can click on this link to view the output from aHa!Visual Web Export. I would highly recommend aHa!Visual Web Export if you are looking for fast way to share your MindManager 9 maps to the web.

Mindjet Sets Up Community for Shaing MindManager Maps

As a devoted Mindjet customer, we invite you to the release of a new Map Sharing Community.

Announcing MapsforThat.com – Mindjet’s new map sharing destination. Maps for That is a community dedicated to connection users to share, rate and comment on your favorite and most useful maps.

This community is about you – the user. We want to hear what you think, what you would like to see and how we can continue to improve. Please upload maps, send feedback, write up and let us know how we can make it the premier mapping community.

With the new Maps for That community you will be able to:

• Upload, download and view maps in one all inclusive community.
• Comment, rate and share maps with the rest of the world.
• Get the most valuable and popular map templates for MindManager.
  
• Bring your mapping skills to the forefront for everyone to see.

What are you waiting for? Log in with your Mindjet username and password, create a screen name and start uploading! Show off your best work and start seeing how others are getting their best ideas.

Second Winner of the MindManager 9 Give Away!

Organizing my Business Day

As a consultant for IT Technologies and Architecture, I am using Mind Mapping for many purposes, e.g. for brainstorming when developing new products. Getting more and more familiar with Mind Mapping I realized that it not only perfect for complex tasks but also for organizing daily tasks which are only simple on the first glance.

Consider some kind of “normal” working day: You go to your desk and start working on your duties because you perfectly know what to do. But then all of sudden your business day gets out of control: One colleague wants some important information, the quality manager calls for an updated document, your manager wants a detailed status report you haven't even prepared and not to forget the meeting with a customer in just 5 minutes. And this is the “perfect” start for using mind mapping to avoid getting lost in your tasks.

The Structure

To get an overview over these many open ends, I use mind mapping to structure my tasks, the one I know will come as well as the one I cannot precisely assess. To find my way through them, I have structured my duties as follows: First, there are meetings, i.e. fixed dates which I have to attend. Second, I have to fulfill several tasks which most have a fixed end date but I can freely decide when to work on them. Third, some of these meetings or tasks have to be done on a daily basis while others are only relevant on a certain day. The mind map is structured accordingly as you can see in the screen shot.




















On the other side, there are more variable duties which I organize in the “Task Stack”: This comprises all tasks that have to be done at some point of time, but not in the current week. At the beginning of the week, I check which of these tasks must be done in the current week. If so, a task is moved from the Task Stack to the Weekly Tasks.

Besides these regular tasks and meetings some other kind of duties appear in real life: “Unplannable Events” contain interrupts like support requests and “Optional ToDos” addresses some interaction on a more informal base, e.g. communication with colleagues or customers. These two categories help you e.g. to plan some buffer time in your business day according to the criticality and number of the entries here.












The Approach

There are two major steps which help me to keep on track during my business day. The first step is to gather all my tasks, meetings, etc. continuously. If possible, I assign a requested date and an estimated duration to get a better overview how much time it will cost me. This is an ongoing activity, i.e. new tasks, meetings, etc. are added each time I identify a new entry I cannot complete at this point of time.









The second step is to plan my current day. Therefore, each day I start with checking my daily and weekly tasks concerning their relevance for the current day. With this information, I am able to decide if my business day is already too crowded with entries and thus it would be better to cancel some of them. On the other side, I can also see if there is some time left and if it is possible to start some things in advance thus that I am prepared for the things that will come sooner or later. At the end of this, all tasks I am going to work on, are moved into the “Today” node of my mind map.

















At the end of the day, I check back which of the entries I have completed successfully. Meetings which I have attended can be deleted – but first I check if not new tasks have been assigned to me in this meeting. If so, these new tasks are added to the “Task Stack”. Meetings which I couldn’t attend due to some unforeseen interrupt also cause a new task, e.g. asking for the meeting protocol or organizing a follow up meeting.

Tasks that have been completed are also deleted; in this case, no follow up activity is required. But very often tasks are only half ready. Then, I adjust the estimated duration and move the task back to the “Task Stack” hoping that I can finish it at one of the next days.
Finally, at the end of the day the day my “Today” node is empty and all meetings and tasks are either finished or moved back to the task stack. Then, the next business day can come and its work can be assigned again...

This is only a short overview how mind mapping can help you by organizing your business day. This simple approach can also be extended, e.g. you can assign priorities, end dates etc. to your entries as you see in the screen shots. More, it is also possible to merge it with the widely known “Getting Things Done” method, but this would be another story…
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Jens Pipka- Bio

Working as senior consultant for IT Technology and Architecture since
more than 15 years, I am struggling with the pitfalls of software
development in all kind of projects. As a consequence, my focus lies on
improving software development processes as well as the underlying
development techniques. To break down complexity within my projects and
identify applicable solutions, I use Mind Mapping quite often. It gives
me a powerful technique and allows me to focus on the real important
areas within software development – namely interacting within a team
and managing technical complexity.

First Winner of the MindManager 9 Give Away!

Hi I'm Max a 38 yearold nurse working in a pediatric intensive care unit on a highly specialized teaching hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. Besides my work I am doing a Masters degree in Critical Care Nursing.

I was introduced to mind mapping while working in the e-learning industry in the United Kingdom some years ago. I have been using MindManager on and off ever since. But using mind maps has really become extremely useful to me now that I am focusing on highly complex issues in nursing. In my nursing practice, being able to mind map helps me to see the big picture and how events are connected. The dysfunction of one organ often affects other organs and starts a cascade of complications and things to consider. And this is the reason why mind maps and MindManager have become so useful for me. It can be difficult getting a quick overview of a particular situation or disease if you stick to text documents. With MindManager I can easily create a mind map and I can quickly go back and review it when needed. Also, it is very easy to alter the mind map as new treatments are introduced. Computer-based mind mapping has proved to be a huge benefit as my library is growing. It is relatively easy to relate two or more subjects (maps or topics) or even combine them. (I have never really been much of a pen & paper mind-mapper).

On a more practical level, I generally export my mind maps as PDF files and upload them to Dropbox so I can visit them while at work (where we don't have any sort of mind mapping software installed). I have also installed Mindjet for iPhone on my iPod which I carry in my pocket at all times while at work.

As a nurse working in a fairly complex an intense environment, I have found that mind mapping has introduced a way to ensure a quicker way to get an overview of a subject or situation. This is for the benefit of the patient but also for me as I feel a lot more confident because I can be fairly sure that I won't forget something important, 4 AM in the morning.

I would also like to see some of the principles behind mind mapping used in medical documentation. It can sometimes be a bit of a daunting experience trying to find the right information in the medical notes as the files just add up. I think it would prove to be a huge advantage knowing exactly what branch to look into (for example a branch covering cardiac issues or a branch covering surgical interventions).

I feel that both my knowledge of advanced nursing as well as using MindManager have really accelerated my learning and retention of information.

Thanks Max for sharing how you use MindManager in the work you do in helping your patients and let us know how you make out with yourfree license for MindManager 9 which I know you will thoroughly enjoy! Thank you Mindjet for sending me licenses for this give away!

MindManager Version 9 Demonstrates Business Productivity Benefits of Mindjet’s Next Generation Software

PRESS RELEASE

MindManager Version 9 Demonstrates Business Productivity Benefits of Mindjet’s Next Generation Software

Tight Integration of Visual Information Mapping with Microsoft Office, Web Services and Core Business Systems Helps Business Professionals Work More Efficiently

San Francisco – August 10, 2010 – Mindjet®, the leading provider of software and web- based applications for visually organizing and managing information and ideas, today announced the general availability of version 9 of its visual information mapping software, MindManager. MindManager gives information workers the resources they need to see the big picture and all the relevant details needed for analysis and planning, within a single, easily edited view. MindManager, already used by over 1.5 million business professionals worldwide, is taking a quantum leap forward with this new release of its flagship product. This latest version greatly enhances the usability of Mindjet’s award-winning application, allowing it to integrate more seamlessly with users other MS Office applications, web services and collaboration platforms.

Business professionals are inundated by an overwhelming amount of content, communication and information that stifles productivity and creativity. With new features including an enhanced integration with the Microsoft ® Office suite, one-click Outlook integration and ability to connect with Microsoft SharePoint®, MindManager provides a single environment that professionals can use to unify and organize diverse information. Mindjet continues to accelerate planning, development and creativity to complete projects more successfully, accomplish more and improve communication.

"For people who have never used mind mapping software before, MindManager Version 9 promises to be the easiest version of this program to use, ever. For corporate IT departments that can't quite understand why they should deploy a visual mapping tool like MindManager, the SharePoint integration is the coup de grace," said Chuck Frey, author of the Mind Mapping Software Blog.

With this new release, MindManager becomes the one-stop destination for working on any kind of project. Within MindManager, users have access to tight integration with Microsoft Outlook and Office to keep the constant stream of information for a project organized in one easy-to-access location, a visualization and dashboard tool for any SharePoint environment with MindManager Explorer for SharePoint and collaboration tools, real-time map co-editing and web based document storage with Mindjet Catalyst.

Key Features in MindManager Version 9 for Windows:

· Microsoft Outlook® Integration – Features more powerful integration with Microsoft Outlook tasks, emails, notes, calendar items and contacts to easily bring relevant information from Outlook directly into your MindManager maps for greater access and visibility into your projects and work. Synchronized branches of Outlook tasks can be added to maps and visualized in MindManager’s integrated Gantt chart.

· Microsoft PowerPoint® Integration – Users can now easily use MindManager to research and map out presentations and then export their ideas from MindManager directly into PowerPoint slides to accomplish more, faster.

· Interactive Slide Shows – Unlike ‘broadcast’ presentations, MindManager introduces a new way to present and collaborate on concepts, strategies and plans. Users can launch interactive slide shows directly within MindManager to review selected portions of their map, solicit feedback and update their map content directly in each slide.

· Gantt Chart and Resource Views – Individuals can view task and project plan timelines in MindManager’s integrated and synchronized Gantt chart. Updates can be made to maps by adjusting the Gantt chart or by making changes directly into a map. The resource views highlight when individuals are over or underutilized in both your map and the Gantt chart.

· MindManager Explorer for SharePoint (sold separately)– Visualizes SharePoint content in MindManager’s easy-to-use dynamic maps. With bi-directional SharePoint integration, users can more easily discover, aggregate and update their SharePoint content from one or more SharePoint sites.

“Mindjet’s users have always understood the benefits of visually organizing information, data, content and documents and how this drives innovation and increases productivity,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Mindjet. “The latest release of MindManager Version 9 reinforces the idea that organizing information in a visual manner will dramatically improve an organization’s productivity, creativity and business output. MindManager is now evolving from a product that makes project management easier and more organized, to the must-have tool that businesses and individuals use to capture, organize and present all of the information needed do get the job done right.”

MindManager Version 9 for Windows is available in three languages: English, German and French, and can be purchased through www.Mindjet.com for $349 for new users or for a limited time, $149 for an upgrade.

Supporting Resources

· View a video describing how you can use MindManager Version 9

· Hear what individuals and organizations have to say about Mindjet

· Follow Mindjet on Twitter to learn more

· Learn more about Mindjet on Facebook

About Mindjet

Mindjet provides productivity software that helps business professionals visually organize and act upon ideas, information and resources to drive productivity, team effectiveness and business innovation. Mindjet products include industry-leading software and online services centered on information mapping, as well as applications that incorporate Mindjet’s innovative visualization technology to improve the usability of leading business applications, including Microsoft SharePoint and Salesforce.com. More than 1.5 million people around the world use Mindjet software to clarify thinking, efficiently analyze information, increase team productivity, and make better-informed decisions.

Used by business professionals in 44 of BusinessWeek’s 50 “World’s Most Innovative Companies,” Mindjet solutions dramatically boost productivity and team effectiveness. Surveys across several industries show that Mindjet can increase productivity by up to 25 percent by making meetings, common communications and project management tasks more efficient and effective. Mindjet products are available for free trial or purchase at www.mindjet.com/products/overview, through salesforce.com AppExchange, and through an extensive partner network at www.mindjet.com/community/partners/overview. Mindjet is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Contact Information

Barbara DeConto

Text 100 for Mindjet

415.593.8425

barbarad@text100.com

# # #

Mindjet MindManager 9 Giveaway

On the heels of the release of Mindjet MindManager 9, I am very excited to announce that I will be giving away 5 fully licensed copies of Mindjet MindManager 9. MindManager 9 is fast, fluid and now has integrated Gantt Chart & Resource Planning capabilities built right into the application.

So here is an incredible opportunity to land a free copy of Mindjet MindManager 9. Ok so what is the hook? To enter the Mindjet MindManager 9 GiveAway all you need to do is be a Guest Blogger and share how you are using mind mapping in your business or educational setting. If you would like you could create a screencast or video and demonstrate how mind mapping has had an impact on the work that you do. It is really that easy. Each winner will be highlighted on my blog which is a great way to give you and your company or school great exposure. To enter the contest please click here. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment! Good luck!

Mindjet Announced MindManager, Version 9 for Windows launches on August 10

FYI!

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Last night, Mindjet made an important announcement!

That’s right. MindManager, version 9, is coming! It’ll actually be here before you know it — August 10th to be exact.

And, more importantly, we’ve packed this release with capabilities that you’ve been asking for!

MindManager 9 is built around the following three major themes:

1. Accomplish more, faster: If you’re using MindManager to get your work done, and we’ve made it easier to bring relevant information into your maps with less effort. This will let you maintain perspective, work in context without having to constantly switch apps looking for the information you need to complete your work. For instance, you can tap into Outlook’s wealth of emails, tasks, notes, etc.. and bring in any or all of that information into your maps. Our new Outlook integration is built upon either pre-defined or simple-to-create queries that synchronize information with MindManager. You’ll setup your Outlook branch once and it’ll continue to refresh and present up-to-date content without any additional effort on your part. What will you do with that info? Make better plans, strategies and decisions!
2. Planning for everyone: We recognize that many professional project managers use MindManager for developing plans. But we asked the question, what about the rest of us? The marketers, developers, HR managers, etc… We need planning tools that let us build out quick lists of the things we need to get done in order to make any plan a reality. MindManager does just that. In MindManager, Version 9, we let you build out a plan and then, instantly, visualize it in our new integrated project schedule (Gantt chart). We also provide guidance by highlighting where trouble spots exist (e.g. if someone is assigned too many tasks to complete on any given day).
3. Communicate more effectively: We’re also excited about a brand new way to present your mapped concepts, strategies and plans. With the new MindManager slide show, you can create slides from any topic within your map. Unlike other presentation software apps which let you ‘broadcast’ your message, MindManager’s slides are still interactive, letting you collaborate instead of simply present ideas. Capture feedback, track new action items, and evolve your content while delivering your presentation.

Beyond these major improvements, we’ve also made many improvements including:

• Enhanced usability and interface improvements
• Significantly faster performance
• Integration with Microsoft Office 2010
• Improved integrations with Office applications
• Brand new galleries of images, icons, and map templates
• And much, much more…

Stay tuned for more news as we get closer to August 10th!