Pocket MindMap 1.3

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.pocketmindmap.com">http://www.pocketmindmap.com</a><br /><br />After a very long beta process, Pocket MindMap 1.3 has been released. Pocket MindMap allows you to do <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=jasondunn-20&path=tg/detail/-/0452273226/qid%3D1078858167/">mind mapping</a> directly on your Pocket PC. New features in 1.3 include:<br /><br />• Collapse sub-topics - you are no longer forced to create a sub-map.<br />• In place editing for topics<br />• Very large scribbles<br />• <a href="http://www.pocketmindmap.com/Docs/PMM_EN/Support/FAQ/KeyboardShortcuts.ASP">Keyboard support</a> for you thumb board junkies.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040309-pocketmindmap.gif" /><br /><b>Eagle Eye View of a very large mind map.</b><br /><br />Pocket MindMap works on all Pocket PC 2000, 2002 and 2003 devices as well as the HPC 2000. Version 1.3 is free to existing owners. You can buy it for $42 from the <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=16716">Pocket PC Thoughts Handango store</a>. <i>(Affiliate links)</i>

[Thinkingmandavid]

That seems a little pricey to me, how does everyone else feel. I do believe in mind mapping, in fact I have a book on it as well that I bought at a Franklin Covey store. I have thought about having it on my ppc, but that price seems steep to me.

[Ed Hansberry]

That seems a little pricey to me, how does everyone else feel. I do believe in mind mapping, in fact I have a book on it as well that I bought at a Franklin Covey store. I have thought about having it on my ppc, but that price seems steep to me.
That is a subjective call. If you want rich mind mapping on your Pocket PC, you basically have one choice.

It is a niche product. They won't sell tons of them at $19 because the market is so small. They have to charge what it costs to make it and have evidently been doing a good job of it. :D

[Jason Dunn]

I can't seem to find the answer to this on their site - do they have a desktop version? This seems like a lot of data entry, so I'd prefer to do that on the desktop.

[davenicholls]

There is no desktop version, but they do provide partner software that allows data exchange with Mindjet's Mindmanager. It also leverages the fact that PocketMindmap files are XML based to allow XSLT files to be created to convert to other formats.

With regard to the price, I've been using the software for a couple of years and consider it money well spent. I paid far more for Mindmanager for my desktop but I tend to use PMM 80% of the time. The desktop software is more feature rich but is no better at simply getting the ideas into a map, and it's not always in my pocket.

Dave

[Ed Hansberry]

http://www.pocketmindmap.com/Docs/PMM_EN/Download/Software/PMMPartner/default.asp

I think it is more of a conduit to MindJet's Mind Manager software http://www.mindjet.com/ than a mind mapping product for the desktop.

[spaceman]

MindJet just released MindManager X5 version for Pocket PC. It can create maps that are compatible with the desktop/Tablet PC versions. See http://www.mindjet.com/us/products/mindmanager_x5mobile/mmx5mobile.php

[Bruce Babcock]

I've been trying Mind Mapper for a few days now. I like the concept very much. $42 does seem somewhat steep but Mindjets New Pocket PC version is $49. I didn't even try the software last year when I first hit Pocketpcthoughts because I knew it would be to tempting :D , I was right! I will probably give Mindjet a try and then shell out the doe for one or the other. :roll:

On a side note there is a pretty decent open source desktop version called freemind.

Bruce

[Thinkingmandavid]

Jason Dunn wrote
I can't seem to find the answer to this on their site - do they have a desktop version? This seems like a lot of data entry, so I'd prefer to do that on the desktop
I agree, that would make it much better. I like the idea of doing my mind mapping in both directions :mrgreen:

Ed Hansberry wrote
That is a subjective call. If you want rich mind mapping on your Pocket PC, you basically have one choice.

It is a niche product. They won't sell tons of them at $19 because the market is so small. They have to charge what it costs to make it and have evidently been doing a good job of it.
That is true, one choice, with that in mind you have a good point. I wonder how many people actually use mind mapping? mmmm
I wonder how many of these they are selling, Ed do you happen to know how popular it is or is not, this software?

[topps]

There is no desktop version per se. You can connect to MindJet MindManager. Note that MindJet also have their own PocketPC client, which is not nearly as flexible or powerful.

I have been following PMM for about two years. For a long time, they hinted on their site that they were in negotiation with a desktop mind mapping software company so that one could link back and forth. While they don't say so specifically, it is pretty clear to me now that that company was MindJet.

However, I suspect that things did not work out as hoped. As you can see, MindJet produced its own PPC client which is way less sophisticated. I agree with the previous poster (sorry, name dropped off screen) that Pocket MindMap is a great way to create and edit mindmaps on the PPC. It is enormously flexible.

What I have not tried extensively is how well MindManager deals with the more sophisticated features of PMM's maps. I think I'll try them again. But I have to say that PMM, even at v1.0, was one of the most elegant, powerful and impressive pieces of PocketPC programming that I have come across (no vested interest or connnection to the company). If you use mind mapping, PMM is definitely the one to go with and is well worth the price.

[Bruce Babcock]

Note that MindJet also have their own PocketPC client, which is not nearly as flexible or powerful.

topps are you talking about the 2002 edition or the new X5 edition that must have just comeout in the last couple of days or so.

[topps]

Note that MindJet also have their own PocketPC client, which is not nearly as flexible or powerful.

topps are you talking about the 2002 edition or the new X5 edition that must have just comeout in the last couple of days or so.

Sorry. I should have made that clear. I was comparing PMM 1.2 and the 2002 edition of MindManager's own client. To be fair, I should compare the two new versions.

[davenicholls]

I just downloaded the new PPC version trial from Mindjet but the install aborted because I didn't have the equivalent desktop version on my PC. Does anyone know if this is an absolute requirement? If it is it turns a $49 PPC purchase into (at least) a $248 PPC/desktop bundle purchase.

I already own the previous version (2002 Business edition) and the upgrade cost would still be $79 or $129 depending on which version I want to upgrade to, and I'd then need to spend a further $49 on the PPC version.

I suspect I'll be staying with PocketMindmap.

By the way, as per a previous poster I have no link to any of these companies, I'm just a paid up user.

Dave

[markan]

I was comparing PMM 1.2 and the 2002 edition of MindManager's own client

It won't make much difference comparing it to the X5 PPC version which is close to identical as far as I can see. The only improvement is that the syncing isn't as broken as it was in 2002. I would not be using it though if PMM Partner worked with X5.

[Jorgen]

>That seems a little pricey to me, how does everyone else feel.

I agree - I firmly believe in mindmapping but they seem to value it higher than I.

Jorgen

[Canuck]

I've been looking at mindmap and mindjet for a while, but knew that new versions were coming out. Now at these prices, I'm afraid I'm not too keen to jump in. I think I'll be waiting for a review to come out...

[GoldKey]

OK, this may be a stupid question, but what is a mindmap?

[Jimmy Dodd]

Seems a little too pricey to encourage the curious to take a look and get hooked. I guess they are targeting a market that is already sold on the concept.

For those that use it, how limiting do you find the Pocket PC screen size in utilizing the software effectively? I can see something like this being very nice on a Tablet PC, but the PPC seems a bit cramped. Is it?

[Kathy_Harris]

I wish they had more screen shots so that I could see how people use it. Their website is a little sparce.

[jhayter]

I guess I am unclear on the concept ... What is mindmapping and why would want to use it?

[Canuck]

OK, this may be a stupid question, but what is a mindmap?

While I haven't studied this I always picture it as a white board at a meeting to discuss a project. Every one starts talking about what steps and sub-steps are involved, in what order and which group is doing what, and which member of the group etc etc. Before long the board is a disaster of circles and arrows.

Mind mapping software allows all of those steps to be managed. This is handy not only in a group but when you have a great idea that you want to work out from concept to fruition, without getting bogged down by details.

[Ed Hansberry]

OK, this may be a stupid question, but what is a mindmap?
In addition to the link I provided for a book on the subject...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&q=mind+map

:google:

[spaceman]

Just installed the trial version of X5 Mobile. What is disapointing is that it does not have a map view but only an outline view. Pocket Mindmap has both. However, the X5 Mobile syncs nicely with the desktop version of X5 which now is a single version that supports desktops and Tablet PC. Previously the 2002 versions were separate. So if you are a deskop X5 user or have a TPC, it's worth considering.

[gohtor]

it's a great software idea but i think it's too constrictive on a pocketpc to be of any real use.

it's best left on a tablet pc or desktop system.

[Ed Hansberry]

it's a great software idea but i think it's too constrictive on a pocketpc to be of any real use.

it's best left on a tablet pc or desktop system.
There are a lot of places neither a tablet or PC will do. I use PMM in the plant and I sure don't want to lug around a laptop/tablet.

Like everything else, it depends on your needs and based on my needs, I think it is of tremendous use.

[ctmagnus]

To all who are unclear on the concept: There is a freeware desktop mindmapper available here (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/) if you want to try out the concept. I haven't personally tried this app; this is something I would use solely the Pocket PC for and all Pocket PC solutions to date are (imo) overpriced.

[Bruce Babcock]

ctmagnus
To all who are unclear on the concept: There is a freeware desktop mindmapper available here if you want to try out the concept

This is FreeMind. I've been useing it for about a month now at home, the only thing I realy need now is support for PMM. (and to convince our IT Dept. that it is ok to use Open Source) :wink:

another one that was interesting is called TheBrain. It is more of a mind mapping interface between your thoughts and your computer. It is not free but has a 30 day trial.

[Canuck]

Well, the more that I look into it, the more I'm sold. I've been looking at list pro for a while, and this would clearly make lists so that shaves off $25. One of my questions to mindmappers in general (and Ed in particular) is if you find that by the time you've 'mapped' your project, you could have done it already (if you follow me). I mean, when it comes down to it I'd rather be 75% organized and get 10 things done a day than 100% organized and only get 7 things done (due to the time spent 'mapping').

I'd appreciate your comments as they relate to both your work and your personal lives.

- Canuck

[Ed Hansberry]

Well, the more that I look into it, the more I'm sold. I've been looking at list pro for a while, and this would clearly make lists so that shaves off $25. One of my questions to mindmappers in general (and Ed in particular) is if you find that by the time you've 'mapped' your project, you could have done it already (if you follow me). I mean, when it comes down to it I'd rather be 75% organized and get 10 things done a day than 100% organized and only get 7 things done (due to the time spent 'mapping').

I'd appreciate your comments as they relate to both your work and your personal lives.
I never map what I know. I use it to help me work out a project. If I have 10 things to do, that just gets done or put into Pocket Informant as tasks. If I have a project though and am not really sure what it involves, then I get out PMM and start working through it.

I also use it to take notes in meetings/seminars. I find it is easier to modify and use later than using Pocket Word.

[Canuck]

For those still watching this topic, a comparitive review has been done here:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/may04/mind_mapping.asp

It may help in the decision process. It looks to me like ideal software for tabletpc.

[Ed Hansberry]

For those still watching this topic, a comparitive review has been done here:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/may04/mind_mapping.asp

It may help in the decision process. It looks to me like ideal software for tabletpc.
Interesting review. I used PMM last night to take notes in a seminar. I think the PPC is the perfect platform for about 90% of what a mind mapping app is capable of, but part of that is just the handiness of the PPC. I'd have never considered taking a tablet or notebook with me to this class.