Day 1 and counting ....

Packed my trusty M1400 and mailed out yesterday back to Motion for a repair ... that was total stress ... the tablet is my primary, read only, work machine .... I knew this was going to be the acid test for several things that I had been working on as I was trying to get to the truly mobile configuration ... let me start with two configurations ... both aimed at giving me portable apps in a small form factor that I could use when I travel ....

1) U3 equipped 2G flash drive ... I went to the U3 downloads and configured the flash with open office and firefox ... then I configured firefox with my normal browser add ins ... fasterfox, delicious bookmarks, and a nice theme .... a little limited because the firefox is a 1.5 version, but nonetheless a great browser ...

2) 5G Seagate pocket hard drive that I used Portable Apps and loaded the same thing but configured the browser to my normal as it is a 2.0 version.

Both of these I then loaded with my current work files that I figured I might need ... I used synch programs to put the data on the drives ... now here is where it gets a little tricky ...

I rely on MindManager for a lot of sythesis of ideas and starting writing and projects ... I have hundreds of maps and I could not carry the mindmanager program on the drives so I needed a workaround ... I mentioned yesterday MindMeister ... it works as described and answers the call ... my plan is to keep all work on the net if at all possible, including using Google docs to store attachments, etc that I need to work on ... well the MindMeister map that I worked on today was as I would have used the MindManager normally (a little slower - small price to pay for the ability to map) ... worked like a charm and is saved on the net ... later on I can take the map into MindManager easily as it has a export to rtf that I can then import into MindManager when I get my machine back ... Voila !!!! actually quite liberating as I have worked on the map on three different machines and three different locations .. just open it up and not skip a beat ...

In the next installment I will elaborate on how I am managing the work by using just the browser ... truly portable working situation ....

MindManager 8 ... truly redefining a workspace

MindManager 8 finally went live yesterday for the world to see ...

I had been on the beta test and watched as my favorite mapping tool has been taken to a new level by the fine people at Mindjet ... just a refresher for those who have not followed a lot of my posts, MindManager is my most used app other than a browser and the MS Office suite ... I have used it for many presentations and to create repositories of ideas and facts and importantly to get a handle on projects and items that needed to be taken care of.

That being said, let me tell you what I personally found to be a game changer with the new iteration of this software ... first, take a look at the screenshot of a map and notice in the bottom right corner .... one of the biggest roadblocks to efficiency previously had been the need to go in and out of the application when I had web links or files ... with this new embedded browsing ability, you can do things right in the application and thus your work flow is unimpeded by the functioning of the map ... this alone is huge as the time switching back and forth remained problematic until now ....

Notice too how the dependencies on the task windows are now an integral part of the map and no longer something as an afterthought ... this along with a smart functioning to allow you to visually see the overdue items by color all allow far better utilization for quick and dirty project management. There are so many changes and items that may prove valueable to others that I have links to the campaign home page, a download link to a trial version of MM8.

I would be remiss in passing if I did not mention the new web collaborative space, I had worked with the earlier Connect product ... the new MindManager Web is the next generation of collaborative space that is based on the map and will allow multiple parties to engage on the workspace .... there is a great amount of buzz surrounding this release and it really does appear that we have raised the bar again with the Mindjet MindManager 8 product .....

Project Management for the Rest of Us …

A topic near and dear to my heart as I am always following developments in this area … it was prompted today by a great information piece that got me thinking again … in today’s post by Celine Roque called “Create Effective Project Milestone Sheets” in WebWorkerDaily .. she describes her system of utilizing a Milestone Sheet as the document that would interface with a client so as to bridge the gap between a formal PM presentation that tends to cause non techie clients to immediately move eyes to the glassed over state … (you know what I mean …) … too many times to be isolated …

The Milestone Sheet is like a PM tool for the rest of us … I took the article and created a map of the highlights to allow for a quick highlight of the article (technique I use often with things I want to summarize) … using this I then move to create a milestone sheet with dependencies using MindManager 8 that becomes the basis of the rich formal PM based application ….

By using MindManager to become my PM tool of choice allows me to use all the utility of the desktop on the web by utilizing MindManager Connect and the ability to have a full tool on the web with the MindManager Web client … It is truly amazing as you never skip a beat there as all of the normal tools and utility are as if you had never left the desktop … by using the tasks, resources and dependencies … you have a full PM solution that is both visual and simple to grasp but still having the ability to run and keep track of even the most complex of projects … I use the browser feature of the new MindManager to open a window and flesh out my companion software in the web that becomes my active milestone manager ….

I take the map and translate the milestones, etc into a web based project management tool that integrates into my flow … I have been trying out all sorts of tools and have found manymoon to be an interesting choice that I am using now … the highlights that have made this valuable to me are that manymoon integrates tightly with google services … I can place the milestones into my google calendar and tasks .. I can attach files and google docs (including doing new ones) to a milestone or discusssion ..

Another post in WebWorker Daily by Daniel Etherington brought me to Manymoon and is worth reading …. it shows how you may use the many other features of this new application that moves more utility into the cloud … (note that I access docs, calendar and manymoon from by blackberry for mobility …)  this is one you can play with to suit your flow and needs ….

More Variations on a Theme ...

Had a little time on my hands today and was inspired to try a couple of ideas ... I loved the look of Cayra that I showed you earlier today ... but I still love the MindManager display .... I was thinking out loud that it would be really great to accent a mindmanger presentation with the cayra visual representation ... so here goes ....

The corkboard is a great visual and is part of the mindmanager package ... what a great look to make a visual point ... so normal as far as on office metaphor, yet unique in a presentation ... the grey presentation is a visio type of presentation ... I used the mindmanager to put in the items outside of what I had earlier today put into the Cayra, thereby creating a focus or highlight to the object ... I put the jpg that I created earlier into a branch of a mindmanager branch and added the details in mindmanger ... in the corkboard shot I simply used the whole structure ... in the visio shot I used the F4 key to focus on a node and voila, simply isolating one of the branches and adding detail for emphasis ...

This was fun and I think will be very useful for presentations ... a variation on the use of these programs ....

MindManager 8 ... thinkability tool

This is part II of the new MindManager 8 commentary ... as in the first browser in the map, the extension allows you to work and EDIT office files (word, excel and powerpoint) in the mindmanager window ... by allowing your access and edit of files this opens up a whole new utility to the map ...

I use the map as a repository of information for projects and research .. ie, you have a project that you have files and web links associated with and you are putting together a combined white paper or project summary ... by working in the map metaphor you have at once ALL your information at your fingertips and the ability to continually update and work on your paper or summary ... by keeping all links current and with the ability to upload new ones as simply as hitting the enter button, your task has been made more efficient and visual ... both keys to continuity when you are thinking through your project ...

The other really big help is the ability to drag and drop your thoughts or files into any sort of order or hierarchy that will enhance the "thinkability" or the project ... you can drag and drop, delete and add, chop and dice until it all makes sense to your mind ... "thinkability" ....

Great Old Tool ...

I always read newsletters from my favorite apps and today I got the SnagIt newsletter and it reminded me of a really handy link between snagit and my favorite mapping application, mindmanager when you combine the power and speed of snag it and a simple export to a mind map, you have a magical tool for adding visual impact to a map ...

How does it work?

1. Perform a screen capture with SnagIt.
2. Output to MindManager. You can then insert SnagIt captures into your maps as new main, selected, or floating topics, as well as subtopics, notes, and callouts.

You need to have both apps and you need to download the output addin , once done, it is as instructed ... see the screen capture of a map using snag it outputs ... slick ...

Using MM8 and Evernote …

Wow, great idea … I am following Chuck Frey’s twitter feed (chuckfrey) and it is a constant flow of ideas on innovation and mapping … today I saw a twit on a suggestion to combine MindManager 8 and Evernote …

Figuring that could already be done, I played with the idea and voila … what a great combination … thanks to Greg Cimmarrusti who posed the question … as you can see from the screen shot, it is extremely easy to use the browser to operate your Evernote web version within the MindManager 8 environment … so at any time you simply go to the evernote icon on your map and click you are there …

You can also open directly to an entry … thus you have access again with a click or better yet, the ability to cut and paste highlighted info right into your map … imagine the possibilities with using this tool as a means to assemble a white paper or presentation from all the bits and pieces in your evernote universe … couple the new browser in MM8 and the robust clipping feature of the new Evernote and you have another powerful combination for your toolbox …..

Active Pdf Export ....

Here is a particulary useful new twist added to the MindManager 8 list of useful features ... you can now export a map in a pdf file that allows for viewing and links to the net ... this is a shot of a quick map I created last night from yesterday's RSS feeds that I follow ... these illustrate and link to the web items of interest to an iphone user, the first map is the overall pdf that was created and you can see the topics.

The second shot is after clicking on the small plus on the pdf for MindManager 8, it expands the topic and shows an insert of new feature screen shot and then underneath it active links that you can simply click on and it will take your browser to the web location specified in the hyperlink. Imagine the possibilities, you could create a mini brochure to your website with targeted marketing efforts and also a view of current research, background info, and ordering link. This could be done like an active handout targeting a specific interest or product. That way the customer would be directed specifically to his interest rather than having to sort through an entire website.

One could also create and active document that you could continually add to as you get feedback or more links ... like a grand knowledgebase that could be built interactively ... with this new export feature, an entirely new process has been opened ... great stuff ...

New Search Presentation … Google Squared …

Noticed a new type of search that Google rolled out today … they call it Google Squared and it is pretty good … here is shot of a search keyed by US Presidents .. notice how the info is presented in a matrix format that could be highly useful for many types of info gathering … this is first day out, so play and give them feedback .. I think this one has big possibilities … notice the recurring theme on my internet apps … I normally will come through MindManager and its new browser window … this allows me to save searches or apps by simply joining the open item to a branch … when you are done you can simply delete or keep it active for further use down the road … the browser in MindManager is an essential tool in my toolbox ….

A Better Business Plan ....

Have been very busy on a project getting funding for our new project. In the process I am framing our new venture using my normal tool for any sort of work, MindManager ... I am using a form created by Guy Kawasaki and put down in his classic book, The Art of the Start, a plan that gives you what the guys on the other side of the table would appreciate and hopefully get you through to the next round ... I have included a look at what this will be composed of ... you need to make this the framework of the presentation and make it concise and short ... I used this process to make both a presentation (export to powerpoint) and the offering document (export to word) .. by using mindmanager I was able to focus on each point easily and move from point to point as my mind wandered, but still being able to see how the ideas were developing and how the flow of the document was progressing. Another valuable trait of doing a presentation and proposal from this framework is consistency and keeping everything tight ... when you are competing with people that all are worthy, you need to make sure your presentation is read and your idea realized ... this is essential in this day and age where information is readily available but new ideas and processes are few and far between ...

His book is great reading and the process works ... this is a great starting point to define the process and keep you on the road ...

Mindmanager for ipad ... critical tool is now available

I have started playing with an ipad now and of course it was crucial for me to have and use mindmapping. As Mindmanager is my key goto tool, it was a relief to see this post.

Say ‘Hello’ to our new iOS apps: Mindjet for iPad and Mindjet for iPhone! | The Mindjet Blog

I am using this and find that the cloud sync and store is very very handy to keep maps right at hand on the ipad ... app is easy to use but lacks formatting to make things all pretty, but that is a small price to pay for the utility of having the tool handy on the instant on ipad ...

New feature in gmail adds to MM8 ...

OK ... here is a good one, let me set the stage for the scenario for use first ... I have kept project and general info in maps for ages and find the utility of it great, but interface and presentation can sometime leave more to be desired ... the main hangup is adjusting the view and taking things out of context .. specifically since gmail is now my email service of choice, it was cut and paste whenever the need arose.

Enter a new labs feature that allows you to create a document from the email .. thus having the entirety of the thread available .. so the first shot shows the button that is enabled when you turn the gmail to doc service on under you labs tab ... once you save your doc, it will appear as a normal google docs entry in your gdoc folders ... at this point, you are free to annotate, share, markup, etc and operate on the email thread like a regular document (one really nice thing that can be done directly here is to annotate in color and then send back by emailing the doc to your group).

The next shot is an open mind map that you can create for any purpose .. a single project, a dashboard, a general collabortive space, etc ... you can map to your hearts content ... I show the browser window open and it now lists the main window on your gdocs directory ... see the top entry is the newly created email doc. You can then open the document and as circled on the screenshot, you hit the hyperlink sign that adds the individual doc directly to the map ... the last shot shows the new link in your map, so you get to it directly .... this opens up a whole world of efficiency in your info retrieval from gmail ... the ability to instantly pull up information buried in email threads and then highlight or annotate and share with others is what information management is all about ... by combining the new additions to gmail utitility with the new power of MindManager 8 you have a WINNER ...

One other thing worth noting ... MindManager connect service and web application allows for working in the cloud ... all you road warriors take note as I also took another step with this exercise and went up to the net to see how this map would translate ... it is just like working on your desktop ... thus you have the means to not skipping a beat as the map itself is synched to the net and your docs and email are there, so computing in the cloud is a virtual reality ... double WINNER ....

MM Time Saver & Possible Netbook Center …

With the increasing penetration of netbooks into the mobile space, I kept thinking a quick methods to hit all of the important functions that one would need on the fly and how they could be implemented … several obvious choices occured …. use the new google chrome method of creating standalone windows for applications …. open up firefox with saved tabs ….. all based on premise that almost anything we do now can be found in the cloud …

As I thought about this and wondered about resources on the smaller netbooks and speed of use,  I tried a little experiment using MindManager 8 and the embedded browser (note that I already use it for project dashboard to keep all maps, docs and sheets linked into an active space – one map) … this first screen shot shows a quick map of the idea … I opened up all my google apps in one map and simply hit the links to open them in the browser … one big distinction here is the windows are being opened and closed within mindmanager rather than being switched in a windowed environment … the resources used by doing this should be extremely manageable and would serve the same utility as having multiple applications and windows on your desktop but without the bloat of leaving all of the working ….

The second screenshot shows an email that I  transformed into a document (see earlier posts on using gmail within MM8) and you can see now that it can be instantly retrieved from my gdocs account and I use that to make notes, etc on something that appears to be significant as far as thoughts go ….

Lets extend this one more time by looking the dashboard  with a map I made and highlighted in showing the integration of MM8 and Evernote … note how this now uses the dashboard and has the map as integrated into the dashboard … the utility is obvious now, you can integrate a project you have isolated now right into your current dashboard without skipping a beat, just insert a map and go ….

The last item I tried was using the browser to work on a  spreadsheet right in the map … I now have ALL my current work right on the map and it serves as a true dashboard … rather leaving all the windows and work open up individually, open up the one map and instantly have all the access of multiple spaces that you need (not to mention the ability to alter what you want opened as easily as adding or deleting from this map) and not have to waste all the resources of the netbook or any machine ….  I am not using a netbook, but would be fascinated to hear from those using them how this idea works for you ….

Being Truly Mobile ...

Hi all ... this episode has been generated because of the dreaded event of having to send my Motion M1400 in for repair ... my machine is over two years old (has never skipped a beat) and yet the tech support there unhesitatingly sent me an RMA and FedEx prepaid label to send my machine in for a repair ... now that is service, Motion is a breath of fresh air in the sea of manufacturers and outsourcing ...

Anyway, this event has caused a few sleepless nights ... let me describe my work ... I run a company that has deals and projects going internationally ... most of the standard office type files and I rely heavily on MindManager as any that have followed my blog ... so being without my machine has caused me to think through my needs and how to be without and yet being able to work on present things and allow for any new items .... therein was the problem ...

I have a couple of other machines, but this is where all work takes place, so I needed to find a solution fast before having to ship the machine out ... I tried loading my Seagate 5G drive with my files (use MS Synch Toy) so anything that I worked on new would be synched up when this primary machine got back. I rely on Evernote for a lot of my information odds and ends, so they have an elegant solution to this problem. With their newest version, they have a mobile client and the program will synch the database and keep most current entries up to date, so while away I can use the mobile client and it will update my regular machine when it comes back ...

I think I got ahead of myself ... the Seagate was good, but I was trying to use a MojoPac installation so I could run MindManager on the drive, it worked, but kinda slow and was balky in using on other machines ... so I went to a U3 enabled flash drive ... 2G was enough to synch all my maps and working documents ... I also installed the evernote mobile and synched and then installed via the U3 a full copy of Open Office so I could work on docs ... the idea of doing this is the flash will not leave any pieces on the computer you are using, so security is not compromised if you are travelling ... I also used the firefox from U3 and configured it to my open tabs so I could simply carry all my web enabled items to any machine ...

Now the crowning piece ... I was reading on the web today about a web enabled site called MindMeister .. this is in private beta, but I was able to get an invite and tried the application ... it is GREAT ... for quick work and uploading maps that I have made before and working on it ... it is wonderful ... now with the other web enabled suites (I use Zoho, ThinkFree and Google Docs) this completes my needs .. it has really set me free ... I am working with the program now, but will put it through it's paces more in the coming week ... I think I now can let me puter go ...

New Application Shows Great Promise ...

Hi all, been feverishly working on a new project so have been a little quiet ... I was emailed by a new group that has an application out called Comapping .. this is a great web based tool for mindmapping ... I tried it over the past few days to work on some of my project and was totally blown away by the interface ... see first shot ... I see the purpose of this application to create an interface that doesn't interfere with the idea flow .... normally in the course of my day I tend to switch between machines and have several different settings for the screen real estate ... this new web based app truly shines in fully utilizing the screen ... it is truly seamless in the way the map grows out and extremely fluid in highlighting your work ... one of the big problems as your map grows on a small screen is readjusting the view as you go from branch to branch ... in this app, you just go to the branch and hit tab, it then fills the screen .... everything is fluid and is the best implementation of a web based map that I have found to date.

Of prime importance to my work is the interchange between anything I am doing with my MindManager desktop app ... Comapping shines in this, below is the mind map that I took to MindManager ... really smooth ... so far so good, I would give this 5 stars on ease of use ... this is simply an app that was made to work and get out of your way while creating ... in that sense, it is what this genre is supposed to be ... (PS, Maps are all in one flavor of presentation format ... interesting discussion on their site re that basis for this ... there seems to be a lot of basis and thought behind the design and implementation ... it works for me )

PPS ... service is free to try and will be for charge after 30 days ... $11.99 for 6 months

Strategic Management – BSC

In today’s environment, it is increasingly critical for businesses of all sizes to ensure allocating resources and efforts to be the best possible use.  Starting in the 50’s with pioneering work from GE and advanced to it’s modern iteration by Dr Robert Kaplan and Dr David Norton, the Balanced Scorecard approach is now being used throughout the world.

In thinking about this system, I think it is a perfect fit for mind mapping to create a system for implementation.  The system creates a dynamic feedback loop to ensure strategy and vision is being carried out on all levels of a business organization.  It also purports to have the ability to discern dysfunctional efforts before they can show up on the bottom line (normal retrospective management) … thus taking a look at this could present valuable insight into the dynamics of business in our evolving and challenging economic climate.

The mindmap I created in MindManager 8 is just a beginning framework for the system.   By utilizing this framework you can flesh out a system to use for your needs.  The design of the metrics to measure lends itself extremely well to this design and insertion of tables or spreadsheets allows for immediate drill down to important items.  On more subjective metrics, one can use the ability of a map to conceal and allow a great amount of detail in the basic structure of the map … the focus feature of MindManager allows you to view your selected area easily with one click.

By laying all facets of the overview to be captured in one map is the visual representation of the blending of Vision and Strategy for all to see.  It creates a “priceless” roadmap to execution for businesses of all sizes and shapes …

Creating A Psuedo Concept Map ...

Many a time I have had to try and create a concept map .. one of the better tools I have used is Gliffy that is a web based application ..... today I needed something like a concept map, but simpler ... although as I went through the exercise, it could be used to create fairly complex representations ... here is the finished item ...

As you can see, it is pretty illustrative and now I can see how to make things and represent ideas using my old favorite, MindManager ... the trick is actually two fold using SnagIt to get and manipulate jpg files ... I captured the diagram and then annotated using the snag it editor ... then I saved the second image ... opened the trusty mindmanager 7 and started to make a map by inserting the jpg into the branches ... then the magic occurs ... you take hit the shift key after selecting the branch and move it, it becomes a floating topic without the branching ... so you can see the possibilities ... a hybrid map showing off some concepts while retaining structure in a map ... by blending these two applications I created a quick representation that I am presenting ... the picture (map) is worth a thousand words ...

Creating a Map Slide Show ....

I had an interesting problem today and found a good workaround ... I use mindmanager to create maps that are sometimes related when I like to hyperlink ideas ... this is useful as I use the mapping to create concepts and present them ... today I needed to put all the projects together into a Portfolio of Projects ... well it is easy in mindmanager as you simply hyperlink the different projects to your master overview ... notice the little mindmap icons that signify the hyperlinks ... this was all well and good, but I wanted to create a pdf to hand out and send to clients that would give them the detail as if we were drilling down on the map ...

Well, here is where another program I use to save paper comes in ... fineprint is a program that I have been using for years .. it allows you to take print jobs and collate, combine, send to different media, etc .. .just a great all around utility (I particularly like to print 2 or even 4 up to cut down on paper) ... it also allows you to print and then defer doing the job, so you have all of the printouts in one file ... SO ... I first printed this map, then hit the links in order and printed each as I deferred the job ... when I got all the maps printed, I then sent the job to my pdf printer and VOILA ... maps and the drill downs just like having the map and opening the details just like on my desktop ...

Showing a Concept Diagram in MM8 …

Building on my use of google docs and MindManager 8, there was a posting on the googledocs blog that spotlighted a new feature that truly rocks … they have introduced the ability to create drawings or sketches both with predefined figures or freehand … it has all the utility of sketching that you can do in many other note taking applications … the difference is that you embed the drawing in a google doc, which of course can be exported in word down on your computer OR ….

Open in a MindManager window by using the embedded browser to illustrate a concept or just open your own personal art work … because it is a document that can be worked, you have an infinite whiteboard AND you can use the collaboration features of docs and make it a group document … have fun ….

MindManager Web could be The Answer …

Chalk this one up to technical difficulties … over the last few days I have been having problems with my Vista based X61 tablet and so have been exploring my alternatives to getting things done with my needs …. well, I didn’t really have time this happened to really explore how the new MindManager Web works … I need to tell you this really ROCKS …

First of all, I took the application into a chrome window and split it off so I have a quick launch icon to fire it up … by doing this, it has the feel of opening a desktop app and the interface is really slick … the flash based web interface is slick, fast and responsive … you can virtually create anything you could do on the desktop in your browser … it really feels like a MM8 Lite …. all of the important controls are there and the application really gets out of your way … no thinking needed, just go for it …

Then I really found out the sweetspot on this app … on the upper right corner in small icons is the absolute most significant part of this … see the circled items for instant meeting and chat … well, I enabled instant meeting, and now you can simply put in an email address and the invite is gone … I sent it to my other machine and the magic happened .. there was my screen on the other machine in all it’s glory … it was like the remote applications that we have all seen on web conferences, etc .. but this also allows you to simulate a laser pointer to highlight sections, and even better for working with collaborators, you can allow editing from the remote machine … this is incredibly easy to use and makes for a significant step to using the map for collaboration … fully web based, this application will allow you to download maps to your desktop machine or simply use the web and this app as your computer in the clouds … I am anxious to see how this will work on a netbook … if any of you out there have one, let me know how it works …