MindManager

MindManager

MindManager
Developer(s)	Mindjet
Stable release	9.0 / August 9, 2010; 15 months ago (2010-08-09)
Operating system	Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Palm OS
Type	Mind mapping
License	Commercial
Website	mindjet.com

MindManager, called MindMan until version 3.5, is a commercial mind mapping software application developed by Mindjet Corporation. Mind maps created in MindManager are based on the mind mapping method by Tony Buzan. The latest version, MindManager 9, is available for Microsoft Windows.^[1] and Mac OS X.

Files created in the most recent versions are compatible with both Windows and Apple platforms. Features include support for manual and automatic task management, filters, an open application programming interface (API), and RSS support. MindManager also provides integration with Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook and Excel.^[1]

In 2008 Mindjet introduced Mindjet Connect, an online collaboration service with centralized storage, Instant Meeting, and communications features. Connect is accessible with MindManager 8 and via MindManager Web, a Flash-based client.

MindManager supports Ecma International's Office Open XML format^[2] and has adopted Microsoft's Fluent user interface, commonly known as a ribbon.

Product history

Current product line in bold.

Date	Name and version	Operating system support	Languages
1994	MindMan 1.0	Microsoft Windows	English, German
1996	MindMan 2.0	Microsoft Windows	English, German
1997	MindMan 3.0	Microsoft Windows	English, German
1998	MindManager 3.5	Microsoft Windows	English, German
1999	MindManager 4	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2000	MindManager 2002	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2002	MindManager	Palm OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile	English, German
2003	MindManager for Tablet PC	Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition	English, German
2003	MindManager X5	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2005	MindManager 6	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2006	MindManager 6	Microsoft Windows	French, Japanese
2006	MindManager 6	Mac OS X	English, German, French, Japanese
2007	MindManager 7	Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows	English, German, French, Japanese
2008	Mindjet Connect	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2008	MindManager Web	All (Adobe Flash)	English, German
2008	MindManager 8	Microsoft Windows	English, German
2009	Mindjet Catalyst	Web	English, German
2010	MindManager 8	Mac OS X	English, Japanese
2010	MindManager 9	Microsoft Windows	English, German, Japanese
2011	MindManager 9	Mac OS X	English, Japanese
2011 (September)	MindManager 2012	Microsoft Windows	English

File format

The MindManager file format is a ZIP archive with XML and binary data inside:

• Document.xml: this contains the structure and data in the map. The format of the XML is defined by the XML Schema files also included in the zip archive.
• Preview.png: a small thumbnail-sized image of the map
• xsd\MindManagerApplication.xsd: the primary XML Schema file
• xsd\MindManagerCore.xsd: a supporing core XML schema file
• xsd\MindManagerDelta.xsd: a supporting XML schema file that supports differences between map versions
• xsd\MindManagerPrimitive.xsd: a supporting primitive XML schema file.
• bin\*.bin: all attachments and images not provided with MindManager in the map

The MindManager file format is backwards and forwards compatible with versions 5 through 8. The MindManager file format XSD schemas are also publicly available.

Integration, add-ins

Latter day versions of MindManager create maps which can pull data from Microsoft Excel and Outlook, and can be exported to Word, PowerPoint, Visio and Project, as HTML web pages, as an embeddable Player, and as PDF documents.^[3]

MindManager also integrates into many other applications through its published API. The availability of this has made it accessible so that third party add-ins can be created to extend the functionality of MindManager. These add-ins cover applications such as Lotus Notes and software from Salesforce.com. MindManager 8 for Mac provides enhanced integration with Apple's productivity tools such as iChat, iCal and Pages. Further examples of extensibility for MindManager can be found on the Mindjet Solutions Website and other 3rd party sites such as MMDevX™ and mindmanageraddins.com.

Awards

MindManager has received many awards over its lifetime, including "Collaboration Product of the Year" for 2008 by Intranet Journal,^[4] a Jolt Productivity award for Design and Modeling tools from Dr. Dobb's Journal,^[5] and "Best of CeBIT" in the Personal Software category in 2004.^[6]

See also

• Brainstorming
• List of mind mapping software
• List of concept mapping software

References

1. ^ ^{a b} PCWorld Staff (7 April 2010), "Brainstorm With MindManager 8--Without Leaving Office Applications Behind", PCWorld (The Washington Post), http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/05/AR2010040501685.html?wpisrc=nl_tech, retrieved 7 April 2010 
2. ^ Brian Jones. "MindManager supports the Office Open XML formats". Microsoft. http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2006/09/19/762265.aspx. Retrieved 2008-11-16. 
3. ^ "Mindjet's Press Release about MindManager 8". Mindjet. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Mindjet-Launches-MindManager-8-MindManager/story.aspx?guid={7990C908-6778-4A0D-856E-DF72D3BE1053}. Retrieved 2008-11-16. 
4. ^ "Collaboration Product of the Year: Mindjet MindManager 7". Intranet Journal. http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200802/ij_02_22_08a.html. Retrieved 2008-07-02. 
5. ^ "CMP Media Announces Winners for the 16th Annual Jolt Product Excellence & Productivity Awards". 2006-03-17. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-17-2006/0004322465&EDATE=. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
6. ^ "'Best of CeBIT America' Award Goes to NEC Solutions Disaster Recovery Fault Tolerant Solution". 2004-05-26. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=638246&TICK=CEBIT&STORY=/www/story/05-26-2004/0002182489&EDATE=May+26,+2004. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 

External links

• Official website, Mindjet Corporation
• MMDevX, 3rd party add-ins
• mindmanageraddins.com, 3rd party add-ins