Mind maps: a great way to get things in order. Mind map: how mind maps can help a student Mind map in Russian

Mind maps or mind maps are one of the most popular planning and analysis tools. Lawyers use mind maps in preparing a position on a case and daily planning of tasks, coaches and physiotherapists in developing sports training courses, software developers in calculating the structure and content of website and program interfaces, journalists and writers in writing structured texts.

According to Wikipedia, building mind maps (mand mapping) -a way of depicting the process of general systems thinking using diagrams. Can also be considered a convenient alternative recording technique.

We tested 5 of the most interesting online service ov of constructing intelligence maps (mind mapping), below their rating and the resulting maps.

mind42.com

Number of free cards: unlimited

Stingy. There is no free movement of elements. Element styles cannot be edited. No color schemes or templates.

Design: There is a huge Google Adwords advertising block in the working area of ​​the program. The design is primitive, formalist. Looks like desktop programs from the mid-00s.

Collaboration: export to PDF, PNG, JPG

Cross-platform: there is a version for Android

Cost of the paid version: 1$/month (includes disabling advertising)

Main plus: infinite number of cards, simplicity.

Main disadvantage: poor functionality.

bubbl.us

Number of free cards: 3

Free account functionality: you can create multiple elements top level(which goes against the rules of mind mapping), change the colors and sizes of elements. The engine is not the most convenient, in particular this concerns the formatting pop-up window, which is not always displayed when hovering over an element, and the inability to drag a finished map while maintaining the relative position of elements.

Design: not serious enough for business presentations; in particular, the rounded edges of the elements and the gradient are confusing.

Collaboration: uploading in PNG, JPG, sending access by email or via a link without the ability to edit.

Cross-platform: There is a version for iOS.

Cost of the paid version: 6$/month

Main plus: the function of adding elements isolated from the general structure, atypical for such services

Main disadvantage: frivolous design

coggle.it

Number of free cards: unlimited

Free account functionality: Colors and sizes of elements can be changed. It is not immediately clear that you can drag elements only by headings, and not by links, the same applies to editing via the right mouse button, but you can get used to these small spaces.

Design: at first glance perfect. There is no shame in including such a map in a presentation of even the highest level.

Collaboration: export to PDF, PNG. The most important disadvantage of the free version of coggle.it is that all maps are made publicly available and indexed, i.e. There is no need to talk about any privacy.

Cross-platform: WEB only

Cost of the paid version: 5$/month (possibility of creating private cards)

Main plus: chic design

Main disadvantage: lack of private mode in the free version

mindmeister.com

Number of free cards: 3

Free account functionality: The first thing that catches your attention is the terrible localization, but you can always switch the Russian language at the bottom of the page. The similar icons for scaling and adding new elements are confusing; there is no adding a subordinate element via right click on the parent element. It is possible to attach icons to map elements and highlight individual branches of the map with their own special color.

Design: Overall the design is modern, there is a choice of color schemes and they are quite nice and stylish.

Collaboration: There is uploading in PNG, JPG and PDF, sending access by email with the possibility of joint editing.

Cross-platform:

Cost of the paid version: 6$/month

Main plus: stylish card templates

Main disadvantage: confusing workspace navigation

mindomo.com

Number of free cards: 3

Free account functionality: There are several map templates available in the service. When building, you can drag and drop elements, changing their levels without additional clicks, the default arrangement of blocks is compact and intelligible, the original color scheme is pleasing to the eye and has sufficient rigor for business needs. It is possible to select color schemes/templates for the entire map in one click. It is possible to attach pictures (in the free version only via link), icons, tasks, comments to map elements.

Design: a little outdated, but extremely functional.

Collaboration: uploading to PNG, TXT, sending access by email with the ability to jointly edit and control changes.

Cross-platform: There are versions for Android and iOS.

Cost of the paid version: 6$/month

Main plus: powerful and clear functionality

Main disadvantage: outdated design

That's it. If you have examples of mind mapping services that can compete with those presented here, or even get all 5 stars, send links to them to us by email, we will definitely add to the review!

To get a high-quality result, you should think through all possible ways to achieve it.

The XMind mind mapping program will help you effectively create an action plan when solving complex problems, drawing up projects, making presentations, organizing data during brainstorming sessions, active self-analysis, memorizing a large amount of information, learning, as well as your own self-development and in many other situations.

It is thanks to maps that you will be able to clearly, compactly and in an accessible form display the course of your thoughts and/or further actions.

Programs have been creating mind maps for quite a long time, and during this time the functionality of many of them has advanced so far that they have made maps an ideal, interactive tool for planning and learning. However, not all of them are accessible, in terms of understanding, to the average user.

We will look at the work of the most popular, convenient, free and easy-to-learn XMind program in Russian, which is rightfully considered one of the most functional.

The xmind program in Russian can be found here download(there are two versions of the program in the archive) or in English in developer website. The program works the same under Linux.

We will not consider installing the program, since this is not necessary. It’s better to look at the creation of mind maps in detail using the example given in this manual. After installing the utility, launch it from a shortcut on your PC desktop.

When you first start, you will be asked to log into your account on the site, but you are not required to have one. Click on “Don’t show these messages when you start” (all screenshots are clickable)

after which you can start working.

In the picture above there is the inscription “Central Section”. It will be our starting point, that is, starting from it we will build an intellectual map.

To make it easier for you to learn the material, we will begin to create a map with which we will properly prepare for everyone’s favorite holiday, the New Year.

To change the name “Central Section” to your own, double-click on it with the mouse button. You can also right-click (right mouse button) and select “Edit”.

Write your section name (in this example it is “New Year”) and press “Enter” on the keyboard.

Now it’s time to make a plan for what exactly is needed in order to spend the holiday the way we planned for ourselves.

Well, how can you start the year without gifts for your loved ones? First of all, we will plan to buy gifts. To do this, right-click on the main partition and select “Insert” - “Partition”.

As you can see in the picture below, “New Section 1” has appeared.

Let's give it a name by renaming it in the way we talked about above. Let's call it "Gifts to the Family." Also, let’s add a few more important components of this holiday.

It is difficult to imagine the New Year without a Christmas tree, a festive table, and for children without Santa Claus and various fireworks or sparklers. Therefore, let's add these components in the way we just looked at.

It’s already better, but it’s not clear where to start preparing first. Therefore, for ease of perception, we will number the assigned tasks, setting priorities.

To do this, go to “Markers” and drag the desired number to the required section. In this example, we will start preparing by purchasing gifts for family members, and therefore we will drag the number “1” to the “Gifts for Family” section.

Do the same with the other points on your mind map, prioritizing them according to your goals.

As you can see in the illustration above, the generated map looks more like general plan actions. To create a mind map with full-fledged subsections, you should right-click on any section you created, then click “Insert” - “Subsection”. After that, rename it, coming up with an appropriate name.

For clarity, in the section “ Festive table", using the method described above, several subsections will be created that will help plan the holiday.

You can create more subsections for the created subsections, and so on ad infinitum. They are created in a similar way, that is, right-click, “Insert” - “Subsection”. To speed up the process, use the “Tab” hotkey.

The screenshot above shows how two subsections were created with their own subsections. Just as in the case of arranging numbers (priorities), you can set various emoticons and icons to be more informative. Select the icon you like and drag it to any point on the mind map.

Now you know how to make a mind map simple type. Thanks to the knowledge gained, you will definitely be able to create a more complex, informative and thoughtful map.

Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to download the XMind program for free, with its help you can insert links, pictures, notes, tables into your map, change styles and appearance, create an unlimited number of links, connections, sheets and even attach !

We have reviewed the basic functionality of the program, so once you master it, be sure to experiment with other, more complex, but no less interesting and useful tools.

Another advantage of the program is the fact that it is cross-platform, that is, it can work not only under Windows, but also on MacOS and Linux.
In conclusion, I suggest you watch the video created by the authors of the Russified version of the xmind program:

XMind is a program for creating so-called mind maps. Such maps help organize information in a visually associative form. Each element of the map can represent a thought or idea that is connected to other ideas through hierarchical connections. You can use XMind to search for optimal solutions, brainstorm, solve business problems and much more. XMind allows you to organize idea maps in logical, tree, and other views. Appearance Map elements are customizable - you can set the background color, font settings, add text notes and files, tables, markers, hyperlinks, annotations and connect one idea to another.

The program allows you to focus on certain areas of mind maps, create voice notes, check the spelling of text, use the search for map elements, export data and publish created maps on the Internet. You can import maps created in other programs of this kind into this application, for example FreeMind and MindManager. XMind supports templates and themes for cards, and also allows you to protect cards from unauthorized access with a password. In addition to the free version, there are several paid versions of XMind that allow you to save maps in Word, Power Point and PDF formats, work in brainstorming mode and create presentations.

Hello dear blog readers. Recently I was thinking about how to increase productivity and structure my thoughts using mind maps. With their help, we can, like Leonardo Da Vinci, transform our thoughts into various images and diagrams, which makes the brain more productive. And at the same time, we do not need to have his extraordinary drawing abilities. Online mind maps will help us with this, the functionality of which you will learn below.

They are also called mind maps, as they represent a kind of interweaving of thoughts.

Mind maps are the most popular way to implement brainstorming techniques. The famous British psychologist Tony Buzan, who was the first to use mind maps in his work, wrote a huge number of books on this topic, including the most famous of them - Super Thinking.

For students, the use of a mind map can become an assistant in memorizing various notes. For an office worker, using such cards can be a bit of an idea or a difficult task. It no longer surprises anyone if brainstorming techniques are used to solve some complex problem when using collective brainstorming. Would you like to schedule your annual conference point by point or plan your time? Using mind maps will help you.

Intelligence cards online services

Choosing between different mind mapping services can be considered somewhat of a fop. But, you still need to make a choice based on necessary tools. Below I have given several parameters by which you should choose your tools for building mind maps:

• Free access. When we are just starting to master the construction of mind maps, it is advisable to do this without paying for access. Mind mapping needs to become a habit before you put it into practice, so you should be able to get into the habit without paying for it.
• Offline or online. There are a huge number of mapping applications, but when there is no way to connect to the Internet, the ability to work offline would be a must.
• Easy to use. If the tool has simple functions that are easy to understand, then this will only be a plus. The flow of thoughts must be transferred quickly to the screen so as not to be distracted by other functions.
• Variability of templates. Having various brainstorming templates available, you can save a lot of time, while maintaining the overall safety of individual organizational processes.
• Import and export functions. It would be very nice if there was an opportunity to view your creations in various formats. Many popular mind mapping tools, such as FreeMind, have the ability to read other formats. Exporting the map to PDF format is also very important.
• Teamwork. Another significant feature is the ability to work in public while creating a collective brainstorming session.

Choosing between various instruments, I've looked at a lot of their features. You can discard them all and choose the one that suits you best. Mapping services such as FreeMind, XMind and MindJet are quite popular and known to everyone. Therefore, I have presented several lesser-known tools, but at the same time they have their advantages in building maps.

1. Coggle

Platform: Internet, Google Chrome

This mind map has an extension in the Chrome browser and deserves special consideration for its simplicity. Use your browser instead of installing it through the website. Coggle saves your work directly in the browser itself. This mind map consists of three traits - free, superior and structured.

The free version allows you to create countless maps, so you will be able to satisfy your needs. The commercial version gives access to features such as presentation mode and unlimited creation of personal mind maps online.

Peculiarities:

• Creating mind maps with multi-colored branches and nodes
• Ability to add a comment to each branch
• Drag and drop images from your computer into map space without restrictions on pictures
• Coggle has the ability to join forces. Work alone or invite a team
• Ability to view the history of changes. Keep track of who made the change and when
• The ability to send a message to participants, leave notes and even conduct a dialogue in real mode
• Download a map with a PDF, txt, PNG or mind map (.mm) extension.

2. MindMapple

Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS

MindMapple is a program that you can install on your computer or use a smartphone app. Includes both paid and free versions. The program has a fairly similar interface to the previous one.

MindMapple comes with additional templates and themes. Graphics lovers will like the program, as it allows you to use all kinds of pictures and symbols. Choose a suitable theme for your mind map and use the graphics library to add suitable icons and pictures.

The program has powerful settings for managing large projects. Multiple mind maps can be combined into one document. It is also possible to change tasks according to priority and schedule - very important for a project manager.

I highly recommend using MindMapple for its completeness of features. The paid version provides additional features such as exporting the map to PDF format, protecting the map with a password, and exporting to the Microsoft Office line of programs.

Peculiarities:

• Ability to link maps, add files, links and borders.
• Tags and bookmarks make managing complex maps much easier.
• Export mind maps to PowerPoint, Word, Excel, HTML, graphic files, as well as TXT format.
• Ability to import mind maps created in FreeMind or MindManager.

3. NovaMind

Platform: cross-platform

NovaMind is a cross-platform mind map. Thus, the service is accessible both from a desktop computer and from an iPad, Mac or computer, and you can also use it online through Nova Mind Cloud. This service is paid, but as usual, it is possible to use the free version. By visiting the website, NovaMind will introduce you to working in the service through an interactive story to give you the basic concepts. A demo version of an online mind map can be made using this guide.

The light version is useful because you can test the capabilities of the service. It is limited in that it does not have the ability to save or export mind maps to other formats.

Peculiarities:

• Mind maps have 25 available themes
• Ability to save up to 10 documents in cloud storage
• You can share created documents. Private browsing option is not available in the free version
• Stylize the map using all kinds of symbols, templates and pictures
• Notes, links, callouts are also supported.

4. Text2Mindmap

Platform: web

Text2Mindmap is one of my favorite online mind mapping tools for one reason: . As soon as you go to the site and enter a name, this online tool is ready to go and you can immediately describe your own thoughts and ideas, as if you were writing a text. Each line of text on the left corresponds to a node in the map. When we indent a line (using the TAB key) in the list, a new branch automatically appears in the node.

Text2Mindmap also has a free plan that includes all the basic features. There are also Mini ($5/month), Standard ($9/month), and Pro ($11/month) plans, which offer more features such as a private account, more card space, and ad-free card printing.

Peculiarities:

• Saving a map as an image or PDF
• Ability to save maps via a unique URL
• Supports various key combinations.

5. Bloomind

Platform: Windows

Blumind includes three main qualities that a mind mapping service should have - powerful, portable and free. The installation file size is only 1MB. At the same time, it has all the basic functions for a simple mind map.

In addition to creating mind maps, you can use the free function to create graphs and tree diagrams. The program has a tabular interface. You can import a ready-made mind map from the FreeMind program. Importing tabular data from Excel is also possible.

The program also has an external timer. This can be useful when you have limited time for a brainstorming session. For me, Bluemind is perfect for those who are looking for a simple and easy mind mapping service.

Peculiarities:

• The program has the ability to create color themes and the user can easily customize the theme for themselves
• Possibility of compiling various options charts and graphs
• Supports exporting files in various formats, including common ones such as CSV, PDF, SVG and text
• Supports various types notes, icons, fields and other widgets for appearance functionality
• There is also support for keyboard shortcuts
• Multilingual

6. MindMeister

Platform: Web, iOS, Android

This online mind mapping service is considered by many to be one of the best, with an easy-to-use interface that allows the whole team to perform joint tasks in real time and has a whole range of different functions, depending on what tariff you are willing to pay. At the same time, there is also a free tariff and three types of paid tariffs. also available on iOS and Android platforms.

7. MindManager

Platform: Windows, Mac

8. WiseMapping

Platform: Web

You can start working with this service right away, you don’t even need to register. Understanding how to work with the service is not particularly difficult; everything is intuitive, even though it only has an English version. The tool works on all modern browsers, as it uses vector graphics and HTML5 language to build mind maps.

You can, as I already wrote, not register with the service. Moreover, without gaining access to your own account, you can create only one mind map and when you exit the program, the mind map will not be able to be saved.

Peculiarities:

• Easy to use interface
• Mind maps can be placed on any website or blog
• Create maps together with friends or co-workers
• Saving maps as pictures, PDF documents or FreeMind files
• Import and export mind map files from FreeMind.

How to make the most of smart map services?

Before choosing any of the listed services, you must decide for yourself what you intend to achieve when working with cards. Perhaps the answers to these questions will help you decide faster.

Your answers will help determine the most convenient service for work. If you want a comprehensive and feature-rich as well as a commercial heavyweight like MindMeister or MindJet, then use them. If you use Windows 10 for work and don’t want to shoot sparrows out of a cannon, but want something simpler, then you can choose a free application that will save you from worries.

Do you use mind cards in the office or to help solve some personal problem? What program or online service for creating mind maps would you recommend? Or do you think that if you have a pencil and paper at hand, you don’t need anything else? I will be glad to read your opinion in the comments to the article!

Good afternoon, friends!

Today I want to please you with new content, which will be about content creation.

I decided to write an article about creating mind maps. I hope that you New Year You will start to be more productive and use different forms of content and information structuring in your activities than usual. One of these forms will now be considered.

Usage and examples

If anyone is still little familiar with mind maps, then examples of them can be seen on my blog on the “First time on the blog” pages and on the thank you page for the first comment. Also in some articles I structure information using them.

You can do anything you want with them:

• describe your activity plan;
• taking notes of books read;
• conduct brainstorming sessions;
• structure information;
• and even sell them as information products.

Here are just some examples:

This is a simple example. There are also intelligence maps that are even difficult to make out. Here is an example of such a mind map, which I will give to you as a gift at the end of this article.

Do you want to learn how to create the same mind map? If yes, then you have come to the right place. To create a mind map, you can use several methods, both using programs and online.

I decided to break the material into 2 parts, since if I included instructions for all methods in one post, the article would be simply huge and it’s unlikely that anyone would get through it. Therefore, first I will look at the service, and in the next post I will show the main ones.

Now I’m writing and making material for those who like to do without unnecessary software on their computer. Let's begin!

Creating mind maps online

To compile mind maps we will use the service Mindmeister. It is paid, but there is also a free plan, the only important limitation of which is the ability to create only 3 intelligence cards. It will also not be possible to export the map in all formats and perform some more professional functions that you can completely do without.

What is good about this service is the ability to jointly compile maps in the system. You can invite other people to brainstorm together and take a more thorough approach, for example, to the planning process.

We will now look at how to create a mind map and design it using the Mindmeister service. As always, I provide both a video tutorial and detailed text instructions.

To begin with, we register in the service by this link by choosing a free plan called Basic. Next, register in the standard mode by entering your data (name, e-mail, password and agreeing to the terms of service).

After confirming your account, you should go into it and be on the “My Cards” page, where there will be a standard mind map for example, so that you can see possible option creation.

You can look at this map by clicking on its name. It looks pretty good, which indicates the rich functionality of the service.

Now you can move on to the process of creating your own mind map. To do this, on the same page, click on the “New Map” button and select the one you need from the list of templates. Since we are interested in creating a map from scratch, we select an empty template. In the future, you can choose other template options to already have some kind of ready-made design.

A central block will appear, which will serve as the main block for all other branches of the intelligence card. To give the desired name to the initial block, you just need to click on it, then its standard name should highlight and you can enter your name.

To create new branches in an empty area, you need to double-click with the mouse and enter a name.

For example, I will create 3 such blocks to show the main functions of the service. Blocks can be moved in a similar way to moving windows in the Windows operating system. You can also resize them using the handles in the lower right corner of each branch.

As you can see, the root block has a completely different look. The background has changed, the font has become bold and icons have appeared to the left of the title. All this is configured in the design block, which is located in the right area of ​​the monitor.

I will not describe this block, since everything in it is intuitive. In addition, when you hover over each element, a tooltip appears, which makes everything clear. I showed everything in more detail in the video tutorial at the beginning of the paragraph.

Experiment with the design. I'm sure everything will work out. If you have any questions or ambiguities, write in the comments.

If you need to hide the design block, then in the lower right area of ​​the service click on the icon. Deployment occurs in the same way.

Let's look at some more useful features of the service. Let's start by adding subsections to the already created branches. This is done using the “+” button when the desired section is active.

You can also add subsections to subsections. It turns out to be tuftology, but that’s how it is.

Another interesting feature is linking different blocks together using an arrow. To do this, you need to click on the block from which you want to extend the connection. Next, click on the arrow button and click on the block with which you want to connect.

By clicking on the connection itself, you can change its position in order to somehow change the traversal path so as not to overlap it with other elements in the mind map.

You can also change its color, add a label to it in the form of a block, and also delete the connection itself. To do this, click on the initial link mark and a small menu will appear.

I will describe to you some more useful features of the service.

• The last operations can be canceled by pressing the Ctrl+z keys, as in the operating system, or by clicking the cancel operation button in the service itself;

• When creating a mind map, you can also use hotkeys, which significantly speeds up the process. All hotkeys can be found by clicking on the help icon in the lower right area of ​​the service;

• While using the service, you do not need to save your mind map. Everything is done automatically - this is undoubtedly a great advantage.

Finally, I’ll show you how to invite people to jointly compile or edit a mind map. To do this, there is a "Share this map" button on the bottom panel.

After clicking, you can select the option to make this map public, and also invite people by clicking on the button with the same name.

After this, the person will receive a letter to his e-mail with an invitation to view or edit the map, which he will be able to do in the future. But a prerequisite is that he must be a member of the service, that is, registered in it.

At the end of the review of the Mindmeister service, of course, the question is how to save the mind map to your computer? No problem! On the bottom panel in the lower right corner there is a download icon, by clicking on which you can select the desired export option.

There are many options for export. You can export both to a regular image and to MS Word, Powerpoint documents and even to Mind mapping monster program - MindManager, which we will consider in the next post.

Not all formats are available on the free plan, as well as not all functions of the service. But for general use, exporting to an image and PDF format is fine.

Formats that require a paid tariff are indicated by a green mark with the word “Upgrade”.

We have reviewed the service. Finally, I’ll give you some advice! If, when formatting the mind map, you used some comments on the blocks or added links to some pages on the Internet, then they will not be available when exported to an image. In this case, export to pdf format. Then all comments, notes and links used in compilation will be placed on a separate sheet.

So, what can be concluded about the service? Undoubtedly, it is good for its functionality. The disadvantage is that it is paid, but with the free plan the basic functions are available and they are more than enough for the average user.

Another disadvantage is storing only 3 cards in your account. You can bypass this limitation. Have you already guessed how? Or you can simply create each new map by editing the previous one, but then the previous mind maps will be lost. It's up to you to decide!

As for me, after trying Mindmeister, I decided to take it into permanent use. But I also actively use the leader in the field of mind mapping - the MindManager program.

I wrote more about it, as well as about analogues, in this article, which will be useful to you if you are interested in truly professional tools for work. For the usual structuring of information, an online service will be sufficient.

At the end of the article, the question: “Do you use the mind mapping method when conducting your activities, organizing information, and maybe to systematize your life?” I'd like to know how you use this tool, if so.

That's all, friends! Bye!

Oh yes! I completely forgot about the gift I promised. It will be useful to everyone who runs their own blog.

I give you the previously provided mind map, in which the entire process of organizing the competition is laid out in detail.

After all, look at how they are being carried out now. On popular blogs, of course, everything is a bunch. There is already an audience, which means there is no need to look for participants either. But what about beginners? They announce a competition, and there are a maximum of 5 participants. In most cases, there is no one at all.

The whole point is that you not only need to come up with a competition, but also take the right approach to organizing it, notifying people, and so on. About all this in the mind map below. Download it and let the entire RuNet be buzzing about your competitions.

You can view the image in full size by clicking on it below. Or download by clicking on the button below the picture.

By the way, this is an ideal example of how to use this tool to structure and organize information. Take it as a standard.

P.S. So that no one thinks that this mind map is my production, I will say that it is not so. Another blogger did a great job by making such a step-by-step manual.

If you liked this material, I would be grateful if you share it with your friends on social networks. The buttons are located a little lower.

That's all for sure. Thank you for your attention and see you soon!

Best regards, Konstantin Khmelev!