The highly recommended iMindMap software by the mind map inventor, Tony Buzan, seems to have helped a many people to create their mind maps in a more effective way.

However, as good as it may seem, there are still a few things you need to take into serious consideration when it comes to buying Buzan’s iMindMap mind mapping software.

The following are the things you need to avoid before you make up your mind to purchase this piece of application.

1. Wrong Package

In case you do not know, iMindMap comes in 3 versions and each obviously serves different needs and purposes. While the most expensive one may seem so promising because of the number of ticks you see, they may not necessary be the features you need for yourself.

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You have probably heard about many mind mapping softwares around. However, there is one that attracts most of the attention because it is the only mind mapping software endorsed by the mind map inventor, Tony Buzan.

Is this the reason why it has captured the attention of many? Is it just another similar software that allows users to create maps with nice and eye-catching packaging on the outside?

In order to find out, a thorough research has been done and the following are the findings of Tony Buzan’s iMindMap.

It Allows You to Create Unlimited Mind Maps with Little Effort

If you know how to mind map, you will know each map you create represents one particular area of your life that needs to be planned, improved or organized.

For example, you may create five different maps and they include your diet plan, holiday plan, business plan, organizational structure and presentation format.

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There are probably hundreds of mind mapping softwares out there and recently, I have stumbled upon one and only mind mapping software endorsed by Tony Buzan himself. It is called the iMindMap.

In case you do not know who Tony Buzan is, he is the person who developed the concept and principle of mind mapping in the 60’s.

In this article, I will be discussing how iMindMap can help you to create your very own mind maps, no matter how many maps you need. It is easy and it works exactly how it is supposed to be done.

Draw A Central Image

Usually a mind map is started off with a central image that represents that topic. It could be your holiday, diet, business, personal development or fashion, depending on which area of your life you want to put ideas on.

Let’s take the example of diet for the purpose of this article. Imagine that you are sketching your diet plan, so you draw a central image that represents diet.

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There are many mind mapping tools and softwares out there. However, what really separates Buzan’s iMindMap from the rest is that it was created based on Tony Buzan’s mind mapping principles and concepts.

In order to unleash your brain’s potential in the best possible ways, it has to involve colors, words and images. These are the crucial components a brain needs to have.

For iMindMap, it allows users to create as many mind maps as they want in order to help them improve every different aspect of their lives. Instead of working like a flow chart and a linking system, it enhances the integration of colors, words and images in the brain so that a person can organize their plans more effectively.

A person begins mind mapping by creating a central image that represents the topic of the map. The central image is usually bigger than the rest of the images and it should give the person an impression what the image is about. For example, if John is going to draw a mind map for his holiday, he can create a central image of an island with the label ‘Holiday’ on it.

iMindMap provides access to stock photo database of more than 10,000 images. This means, no matter how many ideas John has generated for his holiday plan, there will be more than enough images to present his ideas.

When it comes to ideas generating part, it helps you to draw main branches (main stream of thoughts) and sub-branches (associated ideas and suggestions) with just one click. If John wants to, he can create as many main branches and sub-branches as he wants to. Not only that, each branch allows him to put in keywords as a label to his ideas. This is very effective in organizing your plans, thoughts and ideas.

While you are creating your mind maps, Buzan’s iMindMap helps John to put in different colors for each main stream of thought, which are the main branches. Research shows that a person’s mind can organize much better when each idea is represented by a color.

Tony Buzan’s iMindMap V3 is currently available for Windows and Mac versions only. It is expected to be out on October 2008 for Linux users and the current version for Linux is V2.5.

Currently, there are 3 versions of iMindMap and they include the Elements, Professional and Ultimate. You can now download iMindMap for your free trial now.

Click Here Now to Find Out If iMindMap is For You!

Currently, there are 3 versions of Tony Buzan’s iMindMap mind mapping software. They include Elements, Professional and Ultimate. The following will give you a brief idea on the features of all these 3 versions so that it helps you to be wiser in making your buying decision.

iMindMap Element Version
This is the most basic version and is suitable for those who mind map with the most fundatmental features. This version duplicates the original mind mapping techniques developed by Tony Buzan in the 60’s and it allows you to create mind maps in a much faster pace without the need of hand drawing. Features including the following:-

- creating complete organic looking Mind Maps
- organize and choose one of the limited different styles settings from organic to radial to linear
- improved speed with reduced memory requirements
- import M. Manager Maps and Mind Maps in .XML format
- simple user interface
- visually show connections between different topic and branches
- add emphasis to key concepts and ideas with highlight clouds
- access to 6000 images offline and thousands more online
- iMindMap in more than 10 languages
- and many more

iMindMap Professional Version
This version is one level higher comparing to the Element version. It definitely comes with the features mentioned above and below are the extended features where the Element version does not provide.

- ‘Focus in and out’ feature
- editing your existing Mind Maps
- MS Office Applications Integration
- Open Office Applications Integration
- Screen Capture Tool
- and many more

iMindMap Ultimate Version
This is the iMindMap version that includes everything you think a mind mapping software should have and everything you think a mind mapping software should not have. Features would include the following:-

- Open Office Calc integration
- Project Management System integration
- exporting Mind Maps as a scalable vector graphics (SVG)
- create your own e-learning courses
- interactive web export
- and many more

A lot of talking and discussions have been taken place about Tony Buzan’s latest software development, iMindMap mind mapping software.

Since it was first developed, there has been positive feedbacks about this piece of application and perhaps, it is truly the right application for those who mind map.

The fame and news of Buzan’s iMindMap did not just stop there. Recently there are a lot more happenings coming up from this software and I have picked some hot ones.

iMindMap V3 for Linux is Being Released
Currently, iMindMap V3 is only compatible for Mac and Windows operating systems. This version is more than just a name that suggests improvement. It is truly an innovation of the mind map revolution.

With its improvement on the shortcut keys, less visual clutters, reduced memory requirement by 30%, processing speed of up to 400% faster, new sketch tools and improved image library, they can now provide a greater value for the customers in the future to intends to buy this software.

Now, iMindMap V3 is no longer only for Windows and Mac users. Linux platforms can now experience the same proviledges of this software.

iMindMap Hits #1 in Japan
In case you do not know, iMindMap is also available in Japanese version. What is more amazing is the fact that it hits top of the chart in the Amazon market.

Many Japanese professionals, individuals and even large organizations are using Buzan’s iMindMap to solve their personal and organizational problems.

As a result, many Japanese have given positive feedback about this piece of mind mapping application. They said it is easier to use, user-friendly, easy to learn, really original and the best recommended software ever.

iMindMap is also available in Welsh, Spanish, German, Russian, Korean, Traditional Chinese and French.

Noble Prize Winners and Great Thinkers on Earth Use iMindMap to Brainstorm
During the Petra Conference of Noble Laureates, a group of noble prize winners and the world’s greatest thinkers were gathered to brainstorm the global issues.

While this may seem a ground breaking news and the only place to see the world’s best geniuses, what is even more shocking is that iMindMap was being used by all the geniuses during the conference.

The Petra conference ended up well and they concluded that children poverty can be reduced with education.

Click Here to Download iMindMap Free Trial!!

I have recently stumbled upon Buzan’s iMindMap and managed to make a few comparisons among other mind mapping softwares. This article should help you to make wiser buying decision and you will have a clearer picture whether or not iMindMap is right for you.

Mindomo
Mindomo is a web based mind mapping tool that allows users to organize their plans and presentations on the web and share with thei peers, colleagues, students and subordinates. Each map created will have a unique URL which can be linked from your websites. There are currently 3 levels of membership including the Basic (free), Premium and Business membership.

Mind Meister
Another web based mind mapping application that allows users to create mind maps, share and integrate with other users at the same time. The real time collaboration makes the process much easier when two or three users are generating ideas and updates are needed, the changes will be updated instantly. You can get a free account for 6 maps or go for Premium and Team for more advanced usage.

Smart Draw
Not very much a mind mapping application but it is very useful for corporate and business use. Smart Draw helps businesses and corporates to organize their information and statistics in a more presentable way including pie chart, flow chart and graphs. It has also been developed to integrate with other softwares like Ms Word, Excel, Powerpoint and many more. You can download the software for free and upgrade at later stage.

Visual Mind
Visual Mind has been around for years and it is one of the most popular mind mapping softwares around. It provides user-friendly interface that helps the brain of a person to work in a more effective way and organize their plans in a clearer manner. The product range includes VM Business, VM Basic, VM Server, VM Mind SDK and theRealizer. You can get your free trial for 30 days and purchase at later stage.

iMindMap
iMindMap mind mapping software is the only software being endorsed by Tony Buzan, the inventor of mind map. It provides a platform for “mind mappers” to draw exactly how an effective mind map should be like in the form of electronic. This software comes in 3 versions including Elements, Professional and Ultimate. You may also download iMindMap for free trial for 7 days and check out for yourself if this software is really for you.

Conclusion
Throughout my findings, I find the only software that involves colors, words, and images is Buzan’s iMindMap and research shows that a brain works much better when these components are involved. This is how I compare iMindMap with other mind mapping softwares.

Tony Buzan’s iMindMap has been a popular topic recently and many people have benefited simply by using this software alone. Not only that it saves them a lot of them, but it allows them to create as many mind maps as they want in every single area of their lives.

As convenient as it seems to be, however, you still need some wisdom as a human being to make the software more effective in helping you. The following tips will help you to understand how you can use iMindMap to benefit you to the maximum results.

1. One Map for One Particular Topic
Since it allows you to create as many mind maps as possible, truly you need to dedicate one particular topic or area in your life to one mind map. It could be anything, from holiday to diet plan, from saving to retirement plan, and from petty cash to large amount of budgetting.

Let’s say you want to improve 3 specific areas of your life within this month and they include taking your girlfriend out on Valentine’s day, ideas for celebrating your parents’ anniversary and venturing into a new business.

So you create 3 mind maps and each map is dedicated to one topic. So the first one you can label ‘girlfriend’ or her name as a central image. The second you may label ‘Parents’ and the third one you may label ‘venture’. When you do, remember to create a central image for each map that will represent the topic of the map.

2. Different Colors for Different Main Branches
Let’s dig deeper to one particular topic and take taking your girlfriend out on Valentine’s day, for example. Now that you have a topic and the next thing you do is to generate as many ideas as possible to make her happy and the date meaningful.

So you can start generating ideas like, taking her out to dinner, bringing her to night cruise, going for movie and seeing fireworks. The ideas you generate can be endless.

For each idea generated (i.e. dinner, cruise, movie and fireworks), draw up a main branch attached to the central image - ‘girlfriend’. This will give you some rough ideas before you take it further to become more specific.

3. Create As Many Ideas As Possible
This is where you start to be more specific. Take ‘dinner’ for instance. Where can you bring her to? Do you want to bring her to an Italian restaurant? Japanese? or Chinese?

For each sub ideas generated, write it down, regardless whether you are going to execute or not. Once you have got a clear plan, then only you decide which one you want to execute.

Here is a simple yet creative tip that will make your girlfriend feels like you are the only star shining in front of her. As you look into mind maps once again, what can do see? Can you combine them together?

How about bringing her to experience everything you have thought of? This will include bringing her to a dinner on a night cruise with fireworks prepared on board. Wow!

Don’t be surprised you might want to prepare your engagement ring too!

4. Use Images for Each Idea
A picture speaks a thousand words. One of the reasons why mind mapping is so effective for the use of your brain is because it involves images.

iMindMap has a photo database of close to 10,000 images and no matter how many ideas you have generated for your mind maps, you can use these images for each of your idea or sub ideas.

Conclusion
Buzan’s iMindMap is effective in nature. It would be even better when you apply the tips above from your human nature to create a super strategy to tackle every problem.

The highly recommended iMindMap software by the mind map inventor, Tony Buzan, seems to have helped a many people to strategize their mind maps in a more effective way.

However, as good as it may seem, there are still a few things you need to take into serious consideration when it comes to buying Buzan’s iMindMap mind mapping software.

The following are the things you need to avoid before you make up your mind to purchase this piece of application.

1. Wrong Package
In case you do not know, iMindMap comes in 3 versions and each obviously serves different needs and purposes. While the most expensive one may seem so promising because of the number of ticks you see, they may not necessary be the features you need for youself.

Let’s say you only need to design very devent mind maps for yourself and you do not need the integration with MS and Open Office, then you might want to go for the Elements version instead of the Professional and Ultimate versions.

You need to be even more careful when choosing between the Professional and Ultimate versions because there are only a few differences that differentiate them both.

They are the Open Office Calc integration, Project management integration, export as SVG feature, create and develop your own e-learning course and finally, interactive web export. If you do no need these features, you may go for the Professional versions.

This information should get you to avoid choosing the wrong package for yourself.

2. Prompt Buying Decision
This is one of the most popular buying behavior today. Many businesses understand the needs to serve this compulsive target group and they developed products for them.

Likewise, if you belong to this group, you might want to think twice or even thrice before you make any decision to buy iMindMap. Not only that but you might want to take it even further to seek extra advice and do more research before hand.

I have done a thorough review on this product and you can visit through the link at the end of this article.

3. Give Away For Free
Do you have good friends or relatives so close that you are willing to give what you have bought from money for free? I think you have.

However, you might want to re-think over this issue because this is the most damaging thing you can do to a software development. Companies and programmers that have had sleepless nights, long hours and big amount of budget in doing research and development only to find out their hard work has been spreading around for free.

It is not difficult to understand why pirated movies are banned, is it? Likewise, due to the nature of the Internet technology, movies, musics and even application softwares can be downloaded for free. This is why you should not give your software away and download for free.

These are the things you need to avoid before you make any decision to buy Tony Buzan’s iMindMap mind mapping software.