MIND MANAGER

MIND MAPPING SOFTWARE

For a long time I resisted using any Mind Mapping Software because I believed that hand written Mind Maps were the best form of the technique. Of course I was right but I did not really understand the benefits of Electronic Mind Maps until I helped a client recently incorporate them in the training of his sales force. The physical act of drawing a Mind Map will always give an organic Mind Map the learning edge over software generated versions. However, where the electronic version comes into its own is in the rapid generation, reorganisation and structuring of ideas and information. The best software to do this and the only one endorsed by Tony Buzan the inventor of the Mind Map is Mind Manager - The Ultimate Organisation Tool developed by MindJet. This is a very simple and intuitive package to use. It runs on Microsoft Windows '95, '98 and NT and with its Microsoft Office '97 look and feel you will find it comfortably integrating into your windows environment.

To generate a mind map is very easy. A few mouse clicks and a small bit of typing to name the branches and you have put together quite a complex Mind Map very quickly. Mind Manager has a symbol gallery and so you can very easily incorporate pictures into your Mind Maps making them even more memorable and brain friendly. The more adventurous of you can even import your own graphics. The use of text notes can amplify the key words on your Mind Maps or you can even hyperlink to other application documents such as spreadsheets or word processors. A particularly neat use of this facility is to structure a presentation using a Mind Map with the branches hyperlinked to Power Point or a similar package. I have used this very successfully a number of times and the impact is very powerful. The internet conference facility allows you to share and develop a Mind Map with other people around the world and is a great way of illustrating points or sharing ideas. I have used the software to develop my website and again it is very easy to develop a complex, interlinked page structure or clickable Imagemap at the press of a button.

From an educational perspective, Mind Manager is perfect for organising information for study purposes, for generating projects and essays or just for arranging your ideas and plans. For memory and learning I'd still recommend the use of hand drawn organic Mind Maps but the inclusion of Mind Manager will significantly enhance your portfolio of skills and abilities.

Mind Manager - the Ultimate Organisation Tool - by MindJet, costs £89.95 +VAT.

A 21 day free trial version can be downloaded from Life Skills Programmes Ltd, with the option to purchase subsequently if wished.

A simplified guide to using Mind Manager can be found in the "Build Your Own Website" area of Project HappyChild, by clicking here.

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