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(More customer reviews)So far, in my search for a sophisticated information organizer this is the best I have found.
I handle lots of information of many types. I want a quick and visual way for organizing this information into various categories. I want an ability to redefine the relationships of information easily (metaphorically: moving information within an outline). I want to link this information to personal documents and to web resources (hyperlinks). I want to process this collage of information visually (because of its ability to handle larger numbers of relationships than standard text flow). I want to have an ability to secure this information (encrypt the file). And so forth.
I've tried many ways to manage my mountain of information. A word processor outline works but visually there is an inadequate wayt to show relationships. A flatfile database works, but it is even more limited with relationships. A relational database works, but it is cumbersome to manage.
MindManager does most of what I want. Its graphical boxes can state the topics. And, these are easily re-organized if the hierarchical relationships need to be changed. It's notes window allows explanation, commentary, or other related verbiage. It allows attaching to a topic both a file and a hyperlink (and by using subtopics you can attach as many of these as you want).
MindManager has "bells and whistles" including various ways to color topics and attach flags of various kinds to them.
One of the key benefits of MindManager in comparison to its other competitors is an abilty to encrypt files. This data is, after all, your "mind's eye". If you are creative you may not want this data visable to all.
One of the features I like very well is an easy way to drag-and-drop links from the web into MindManager. When visiting a desirable web page you can click-and-drag the icon from the left of the URL window and then switch into MindManager and drop the link onto a subject. If you drop the link while the subject appears highlighted in green then the link drops into that subject itself. If, the highlighted subject is red then the link drops as a "child" subject. This is an excellent program for keeping track of myriad web pages you like but might never again happen upon.
Okay, so what DOESN'T MindManager do? In my view of a best product, the data view would automatically "focus" on the topic at hand (visually making this bigger while making "parent" and "child" topics smaller - just the way your brain handles information). MindManager doesn't do this. It has some attempts at this via some menu choices but suffice it to say they don't work very well. They don't, for example, automatically keep the current topic centered in the screen and magnified to a pre-chosen comfortable level. (This would be an excellent addition for teaching purposes.) This "focus" should be a fluid and automatic process (turned "on" or "off" at your will). There is another product, PersonalBrain (by TheBrain Technologies) which does this superbly well - however, it has no way to encrypt its files - a critical and "fatal" flaw in my view.
MindManager also does not have any well-implemented presentation mode. I teach. I want to present concepts and then "drill down" into them. I want a visual interface which both focuses on the topic at hand and additionally - in a side window - shows where the current topic is in relationship to the overall. MindManager doesn't do this. (PersonalBrain comes closer but still has some limits.)
MindManager does not allow (easily) defining multiple links between subjects. Ideally an information manager would allow you to define different types of link structures for the information. For example, if you are talking about information as it applies to one personal project then certain linkages would appear, versus another project where information might be linked differently. (PersonalBrain does allow multiple links between topics).
Overall, my "bottom line" is that I do use MindManager as my main information manager. I have numerous files. And, I use a "master" file which has links to all of the other MindManager files. For the most part, MindManager does what I need it to do. The inability to visually focus well and easily is my main "gripe".
John B
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Mindjet MindManager 7 Mac is software that helps to engage and align people to work smarter, think creatively and save time by visually capturing, organizing and communicating ideas and information effectively.Designed to facilitate the rapid development of ideas, capture complex issues, inspire creativity and identify next steps, MindManager is the mapping software of choice for businesses and individual users today.With Mac-friendly user interface, users can immediately begin to realize productivity gains by quickly engaging in brainstorming sessions and improve the communication between individuals and teams.MindManager software enhances the quality of strategic thinking, accelerates project and process planning and increases productivity
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