MindManager is a commercial mind mapping software application developed by Mindjet. The software provides ways for users to visualize information in mind maps and flowcharts. MindManager can be used to manage projects, organize information, and for brainstorming.

MindManager
Developer(s)Mindjet
Initial release1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows22 / 17 November 2021; 2 years ago (2021-11-17)[1]
macOS14 / 18 November 2021; 2 years ago (2021-11-18)[2]
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Android, iOS, web
TypeMind mapping
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websitewww.mindmanager.com/en/

As of December 2015, Mindjet had approximately two million users,[3] including notable customers such as Coca-Cola, Disney, IBM, and Wal-Mart.[4]

Features edit

MindManager provides ways for users to visualize information using mind maps, and with the release of MindManager 2016 for Windows, now includes flowchart and concept map creation tools. The digital mind maps can be used as a “virtual whiteboard” for brainstorming, managing and planning projects, compiling research, organizing large amounts of information, and for strategic planning.[5] MindManager also has features that allow budget calculations and formulas, Gantt chart views of project timelines, and guided brainstorming. Documents can be attached to mind map topics and viewed within the MindManager application. Links, images, and notes can also be added to mind map topics and viewed and searched in a side panel.

Development edit

 
Formulas in MindManager

The software that became MindManager was originally developed by Mike Jetter in the mid-1990s while he was recovering from a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia. Jetter's goal was to develop a program that would overcome the limitations of creating mind maps with pen and paper, such as the inability to easily move items around. Following his release from hospital, Jetter decided to sell the software.[6] The software's mind maps were initially based on the method created by Tony Buzan.[7] Over time, however, Mindjet has developed its own style of mind mapping.[8]

The software was originally marketed under the name "MindMan — The Creative MindManager".[9] In 1999, it was rebranded as MindManager.[10] Originally only available for Windows, MindManager expanded to Mac OS X in 2006.[11] With the release of version 7, the Windows version of MindManager adopted the ribbon interface first seen in Microsoft Office 2007 and introduced support for Office Open XML.[12] In 2011, mobile versions of MindManager were released for both iOS and Android.[13][14] Later that year, the company acquired Thinking Space, an Android-based information mapping application,[15] and Cohuman, a social task management service,[16] which the company developed into a collaborative, cloud-based service to complement MindManager called Mindjet Connect or Project Director.[17]

In September 2012, the Mindjet company combined all of its software, including MindManager, Mindjet Connect, and its mobile offerings into a single product, also called Mindjet.[18]

Mindjet moved away from the single-product offering in mid-2013. The stand-alone mind mapping product was again named MindManager, with a more expansive version tailored to large enterprise adoptions called MindManager Enterprise released in 2014. MindManager Enterprise added sharing options including viewing/editing within Microsoft SharePoint. A MindManager mind map viewer also became available with MindManager Enterprise 2016.

On August 9, 2016, Corel announced that they had acquired the Mindjet MindManager business.[19]

Reception and awards edit

MindManager has received generally positive notice from reviewers. MindManager 2016 for Windows took first place in Biggerplate's[20] MindMapper's Choice poll.[21] MindManager 8 received four out of five stars from TechRadar,[22] while MindManager 9 received 3.5 out of 5 stars from PC Magazine and 4 out of 5 stars from Macworld.[23][24] MindManager was chosen as one of the top 5 best mind mapping tools.[25][26]

MindManager also received a number of awards, including "Collaboration Product of the Year" for 2008 by Intranet Journal,[27] a Jolt Productivity award for Design and Modeling tools from Dr. Dobb's Journal,[28] and "Best of CeBIT" in the Personal Software category in 2004.[29]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "MindManager Windows 22 Release Notes" (PDF). November 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "MindManager 14 for Mac What's New". mindjet.com.
  3. ^ Marshall Kirkpatrick (14 November 2011). "Could Mind-Maps Make SharePoint More Lovable?". ReadWriteWeb. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  4. ^ Glen Chapman (8 October 2009). "Mindjet boosts online collaboration with Catalyst". Times of Oman. Agence France Presse. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  5. ^ "MindManager 2016 offers all-in-one visual mapping solution". Mind Mapping Software Blog. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  6. ^ "From Adversity, Software Success". BloombergBusinessweek. 11 April 2005. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  7. ^ Benjamin Pimentel (2 May 2005). "This is no PowerPoint presentation; More execs embracing Larkspur firm's visual software for organizing ideas". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  8. ^ Faizel Mohidin (4 April 2009). "MindManager Software by Mindjet". MindMapTutor.com. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  9. ^ Jordan Ayan (June 1998). "Dream Weaver". Inc. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  10. ^ "MindManager 3.5 UPDATE! The World-wide Leading Idea and Knowledge Management Tool With Integrated Internet Conferencing". Business Wire. 8 January 1999.
  11. ^ "Mindjet Brings Industry-Leading MindManager Software to the Mac". Business Wire. 31 May 2006.
  12. ^ Strange, Darren (May 24, 2007). "MindJet MindManager 7 becomes Fluent with the ribbon: interview". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  13. ^ Klint Finley (4 June 2011). "iPad for Business Round-Up: Mindjet, snagR and More". ReadWriteWeb. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Work Collaboration Innovator Mindjet Adds New Collaboration Products, Garners Two Million Paid Customers and More Than One Million Mobile Users in 2011". Marketwire. 7 February 2012.
  15. ^ Robin Wauters (13 December 2011). "Mindjet Buys Thinking Space, Launches Mind Mapping App For Android". TechCrunch. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  16. ^ Tony Bradley (12 September 2011). "Mindjet Unleashes Creativity with Online Collaboration Tools". PC World. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  17. ^ Jessica Stillman (25 November 2011). "Cohuman + Mindjet = Idea management from inception to execution". GigaOM. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  18. ^ Matthew Finnegan (21 September 2012). "Mindjet woos channel with simplified software sales approach". ChannelBiz.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  19. ^ Corel CEO Patrick Nichols (9 August 2016). "MindManager Joins Corel". Mindjet.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  20. ^ "Free mind mapping software templates and mind map examples".
  21. ^ "Biggerplate Annual Mind Map Report 2015". www.biggerplate.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  22. ^ Ian Osborne (28 March 2012). "Mindjet MindManager 8 review". TechRadar. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  23. ^ William Fenton (25 February 2011). "MindManager 9". PC Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  24. ^ Alan Stonebridge (11 August 2011). "MindManager 9 for Mac review". Macword. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  25. ^ "Five Best Mind Mapping Tools". 21 April 2013.
  26. ^ "Five Best Mind Mapping Tools".
  27. ^ "Collaboration Product of the Year: Mindjet MindManager 7". Intranet Journal. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  28. ^ "CMP Media Announces Winners for the 16th Annual Jolt Product Excellence & Productivity Awards" (Press release). 17 March 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  29. ^ "'Best of CeBIT America' Award Goes to NEC Solutions Disaster Recovery Fault Tolerant Solution". 26 May 2004. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2012.

External links edit