Comments on: Showdown: Paper Mindmaps vs Computer mindmaps http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/ daily thoughts to improve your visual thinking Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:06:03 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Arjen http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Arjen Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:13:43 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-108 Especially the way you can quickly capture information using PM is very powerful. The organizing of that information can be done using a second mindmap (on a computer for instance). I think it is very interesting that you use Inspiration with your corporate clients. Usually people like to use a tool that creates clean and business looking maps and they use MindManager then. You write that you have lots of success using Inspiration. Do you think this is because Inspiration is not creating maps that have a very strong business look and feel? I love to hear your thoughts on this. Especially the way you can quickly capture information using PM is very powerful. The organizing of that information can be done using a second mindmap (on a computer for instance).

I think it is very interesting that you use Inspiration with your corporate clients. Usually people like to use a tool that creates clean and business looking maps and they use MindManager then. You write that you have lots of success using Inspiration. Do you think this is because Inspiration is not creating maps that have a very strong business look and feel?

I love to hear your thoughts on this.

]]> By: Jesse Berg http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Jesse Berg Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:21:22 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-107 Nice discussion. I use hand and computer mind maps everyday, with my work and personal life. I find the PM as a better raw note taking method for live conversations and lectures. I know this because I tested myself by creating a CM as my note taking method during a recent lecture by Edward Tufte. In this application, the CM was a little harder to deal with on the fly than the PM. With the PM for notes, I am so loose that I have more confident that I am catching what I have to with this approach. Then again, my paper notes are not "true mind maps." They are a hybrid kind of doodle map with nutty arrows, scribbles and shapes. That said, the flexibility of output, scalability, and versatility of the CM is just fantastic. I do not, however, use one of the more established corporate tools. I do find their imposed structure and formality deadlining. There are also key inherent problems with software problems that force you to make choices before the choices are clear. For these reasons, I use Inspiration, the well established school targeted product. I work with it with K12 clients, Higher Ed clients, and Corporate clients as well. Inspiration keeps the mind mapping fun, loose, flexible and quick. It is also as powerful as any of the more corporate oriented software tools. To weigh in to the discussion, I have to call it a draw. Neither is better for all situations, and if you are an experienced mind mapper, you need to choose which approach fits the application. Nice discussion. I use hand and computer mind maps everyday, with my work and personal life. I find the PM as a better raw note taking method for live conversations and lectures. I know this because I tested myself by creating a CM as my note taking method during a recent lecture by Edward Tufte. In this application, the CM was a little harder to deal with on the fly than the PM. With the PM for notes, I am so loose that I have more confident that I am catching what I have to with this approach. Then again, my paper notes are not “true mind maps.” They are a hybrid kind of doodle map with nutty arrows, scribbles and shapes.

That said, the flexibility of output, scalability, and versatility of the CM is just fantastic. I do not, however, use one of the more established corporate tools. I do find their imposed structure and formality deadlining. There are also key inherent problems with software problems that force you to make choices before the choices are clear. For these reasons, I use Inspiration, the well established school targeted product. I work with it with K12 clients, Higher Ed clients, and Corporate clients as well. Inspiration keeps the mind mapping fun, loose, flexible and quick. It is also as powerful as any of the more corporate oriented software tools.

To weigh in to the discussion, I have to call it a draw. Neither is better for all situations, and if you are an experienced mind mapper, you need to choose which approach fits the application.

]]> By: Arjen http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Arjen Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:16:16 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-32 Very good to see your thoughts on the integration of paper and computer mapping. I also work this way. It also makes sure you are spending more time with your client in stead of typing on your computer. Regarding the iPhone... agree :) Very good to see your thoughts on the integration of paper and computer mapping. I also work this way. It also makes sure you are spending more time with your client in stead of typing on your computer.

Regarding the iPhone… agree :)

]]> By: Tim Fulford http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Tim Fulford Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:21:37 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-29 My background is in technology, design and design education: I was always taught and have always taught, never discount or reject an idea without recording it because you never know when it might become important or lead to an effective solution. In Mind Mapping we have a range of tools to cover, I would say, everything. Software based mapping has its time and place, paper-based has its time and place and equally a combination of the two. Not a lot of people combine both methods which I struggle ti understand. For example if I am going to see a client, I will prepare a digital map of the information about the client, contact details, location. details of the meeting, agenda etc. This will all be digital. I print it out, why? because technology sometimes fails and because clients do not always feel comfortable with someone tapping away on a keyboard in a meeting, especially when they cannot see what you are recording. I add any notes and info from the meeting to the paper map, and the later update my digital map. It works for me. There was another discussion about Mind Mapping on equipment such as iPhones. I am a technologist and love to use electronic and digital equipment, however mapping on a small device seems to me like 'just for the sake of it'. Yes use it to view an existing map but not to create, its too small and cannot possibly be quicker than a paper based map. I have been doing a lot of counseling of two clients recently to help them through difficult times. It would not have been appropriate to use digital mapping in the sessions, but I did use it to prepare and record the sessions. As I and others have already said: use the most appropriate method in each situation. My background is in technology, design and design education: I was always taught and have always taught, never discount or reject an idea without recording it because you never know when it might become important or lead to an effective solution. In Mind Mapping we have a range of tools to cover, I would say, everything.
Software based mapping has its time and place, paper-based has its time and place and equally a combination of the two. Not a lot of people combine both methods which I struggle ti understand. For example if I am going to see a client, I will prepare a digital map of the information about the client, contact details, location. details of the meeting, agenda etc. This will all be digital. I print it out, why? because technology sometimes fails and because clients do not always feel comfortable with someone tapping away on a keyboard in a meeting, especially when they cannot see what you are recording. I add any notes and info from the meeting to the paper map, and the later update my digital map. It works for me.
There was another discussion about Mind Mapping on equipment such as iPhones. I am a technologist and love to use electronic and digital equipment, however mapping on a small device seems to me like ‘just for the sake of it’. Yes use it to view an existing map but not to create, its too small and cannot possibly be quicker than a paper based map.
I have been doing a lot of counseling of two clients recently to help them through difficult times. It would not have been appropriate to use digital mapping in the sessions, but I did use it to prepare and record the sessions.
As I and others have already said: use the most appropriate method in each situation.

]]> By: Arjen http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Arjen Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:02:41 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-28 Michael, I fully agree. It all depends on what you want to use it for. It may even be better to use a different name for mindmaps on a computer (since mindmaps are for most people 'only' created on paper). Have a look at my latest post (http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/06/its-not-really-mind-mapping/) in which I discuss this more. Michael,
I fully agree. It all depends on what you want to use it for. It may even be better to use a different name for mindmaps on a computer (since mindmaps are for most people ‘only’ created on paper).

Have a look at my latest post (http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/06/its-not-really-mind-mapping/) in which I discuss this more.

]]> By: Michael Deutch http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Michael Deutch Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:49:21 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-27 Arjen, I agree. There's no need to put them both in a ring, as both methods...hand drawn and software could be effective depending on the goals, situation, etc... Michael Arjen,

I agree. There’s no need to put them both in a ring, as both methods…hand drawn and software could be effective depending on the goals, situation, etc…

Michael

]]> By: Tim Fulford http://mindmapsunleashed.com/2009/05/showdown-paper-mindmaps-vs-computer-mindmaps/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Tim Fulford Wed, 13 May 2009 20:40:57 +0000 http://mindmapsunleashed.com/?p=171#comment-15 iMindMap v4 is the only mind mapping software that follows the 'rules' of mind mapping and as I have already in my previous post it is the only software that the originator of Mind Mapping - Tony Buzan has licensed because it follwos the rules. iMindMap v4 is the only mind mapping software that follows the ‘rules’ of mind mapping and as I have already in my previous post it is the only software that the originator of Mind Mapping – Tony Buzan has licensed because it follwos the rules.

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