Mind Mapping program integration
I know I've heard from those in the past that have used mind mapping software alongside Logos. I just recently tried it out and I love it. I'm using a free program called Freeplane to collect info about the atonement. My plan is to go through the NT and note all verses dealing with the death/burial/resurrection/atonement, categorize them according to the contribution they make to the subject, and then link those contributions to resources in Logos that address the link.
Freeplane is working pretty well but for those who use for pay programs what advantage do other programs have over whats available for free?
Comments
-
Philip Spitzer said:
I know I've heard from those in the past that have used mind mapping software alongside Logos. I just recently tried it out and I love it. I'm using a free program called Freeplane to collect info about the atonement. My plan is to go through the NT and note all verses dealing with the death/burial/resurrection/atonement, categorize them according to the contribution they make to the subject, and then link those contributions to resources in Logos that address the link.
Freeplane is working pretty well but for those who use for pay programs what advantage do other programs have over whats available for free?
Philip, I am just getting going with my two "for pay" programs. And I have never heard of "freeplane." There were a few other free ones I played around with that were decent (Freemind, Mindmeister, and . . . Cayacera? or something--it had a funky cool dynamic presentation/constructino).
I have played with Mindjet's MindManager 8 the most. It is kind of the business standard and has integration with MS apps, and even embeds web browsing. It is very powerful and easy to manipulate.
"Buzan's iMindMap" takes the name from the well known guru of Mind Mapping. They have only been in digital business for about two or three years, I think, but are getting very good. They LOOK more organic (which supposedly is a plus). They are starting to integrate more with MS. Very visual. Quirky fun, but powerful. Buzan is a bit of a showman, but they have an award winning product that goes about things a bit differently than Mindjet.
For Mac, NovaMind looks pretty cool.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
ps, I believe the for pay ones have better integration (with MS and other things) and tools and are less buggy. But you have to pay. It's nice to get going with the free ones. I like the look and feel of the for pay ones a lot better.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
I can't see it happening, but I would be thrilled to have some Logos and mindmapping (say with Mindjet) software. I think your look at the atonement is a prime example. Just think how you could export some verses to different nodes, and build ideas/study/questions, etc off of each one. You could arrange them by theme (domain?) and show relationships between them.
It is nice to have a more 'organic' layout possibility. It is not 100 percent organic, in that all builds off a central topic, but it is better than the traditional outline in many ways.
Right now I am looking at the three "suffering/prediction" passages in Mark. I just thought how I would like to easily put them in a mindmap and build off of them (context of each one, differences, etc)
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
i'd like to hear from Jim McDaniel. I have seen his mug on the MindManager website/blog and it seems he has had much more experience with this than i have
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
ref tagger would not work in a mind map, would it Phil? But links back to Logos would (of passages). hmmm
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
I've used Inspiration for years. Inspiration is targeted at teachers and provides mind-mapping, tree diagrams, outlines, graphic organizer templates etc. at a very reasonable price. I've tried several other programs and always end up going back to Inspiration.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
MJ. Smith said:
I've used Inspiration for years. Inspiration is targeted at teachers and provides mind-mapping, tree diagrams, outlines, graphic organizer templates etc. at a very reasonable price. I've tried several other programs and always end up going back to Inspiration.
had not heard of that. YOU are a mindmapper--maybe several of us need to start a google wave on using mindmapping and Logos/bible study . . . [Y]
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:
YOU are a mindmapper--maybe several of us need to start a google wave on using mindmapping and Logos/bible study
I am very interested in graphic forms of Bible study because that is the future of Bible study. Today's students are much more visually oriented in their studying habits and Bible study will need to move in the same direction to take advantage of their skills.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
I started looking at mind mapping software a couple of weeks ago and came across XMind - http://www.xmind.net/. It has a free and pay version. I'm liking it so far.
πάντα εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ ποιεῖτε
0 -
here is one way to use Mind Maps. Caveat: I am a novice at this and have never taken training. It helps me see relationships visually. MindManager8 is not "religious" and I had a paltry few "icons" to help make it visual. iMindMap supposedly can import it, and they have way more visuals, but alas, iMM must not recognized the newer version of MM8
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
One of the ways I use mind maps is to build cross-references into webs such as the following. I then put notes on the links with my observations on how each verse affects my understanding of the whole. To make this appropriately sized, I used bread only rather than bread and wine. Colors indicate the number of levels from the base verse. I would love it if Logos were, in the future, to offer the cross-reference as a single web with color coding of relations (e.g. quotation, allusion, deuterograph, parallel, shared image ....)
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:
ref tagger would not work in a mind map, would it Phil? But links back to Logos would (of passages). hmmm
I only tried it briefly but you can save Freemind/Freeplane mindmaps as html. I'm hoping once I'm done that I will be able to put it on my website with reftagger installed.
FWIW Freeplane is an expansion of Freemind. Some of the developers wanted to take it a different direction so they did.
0 -
I've been using MindMapping to organize my goals and tasks. Used FreeMind for a while but recently discovered MindJet's MindMapper and it's better. I'm not a mind mapping jockey yet at all, but I see great possibilities for it in Bible study. Martha is right -- graphical/visual study methods are the future, as everyone is brought up to be more visual these days. Precepts inductive study highlighting styles is already one tip of the hat to this, and syntax diagrams. But I expect Logos will grow more and more graphical in the future.
0 -
MJ. Smith said:
I've used Inspiration for years. Inspiration is targeted at teachers and provides mind-mapping, tree diagrams, outlines, graphic organizer templates etc. at a very reasonable price. I've tried several other programs and always end up going back to Inspiration.
I see the education focus. It looks like they have tried to add a variety of graphics. For me, a full arsenal of graphics is essential for mindmapping. If it is done well, some maps would not need many words.
There are several ways, I am noticing, to mindmap: many words, links to documents and applications, visual representations, etc. MindManager is not so much about graphics, as it is a business application. But it does so many things so well. It would be nice for them to come out with a robust graphics package and team up with a bible software company, say . . . . Logos.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
MJ. Smith said:
One of the ways I use mind maps is to build cross-references into webs such as the following. I then put notes on the links with my observations on how each verse affects my understanding of the whole. To make this appropriately sized, I used bread only rather than bread and wine. Colors indicate the number of levels from the base verse. I would love it if Logos were, in the future, to offer the cross-reference as a single web with color coding of relations (e.g. quotation, allusion, deuterograph, parallel, shared image ....)
did you have to cut and paste your verses? Anyway, I like the simplicity of your drawing. Now, technically, this is not a mindmap, is it? (even though I would argue it acts as one!)
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
MJ: where are your John 6 references???? [:P]
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
This is funny. I just posted something about creating charts and Mind Maps. I spent the greater part of last nite looking at these software. I was looking at SmartDraw, Inspiration and Mind Jet's product. It looks as if there are a lot of opinions on this. I am not sure if these will help in building a Horizontal Charts, but they can be used for a lot of cool data display.
0 -
for what its worth, here is what I have so far. I'm still working on going through the whole Bible, then I have to clean it up, then I have to continue putting the verses in topics, but its a start. I'm using this more as a collection point of data then to create a visual display. What I'm planning on doing at this point is attaching the subjects as a child to the verse, getting rid of everything on the left, and then creating a separate mind map for the verses divided into the subjects they contribute to. From what I've seen so far the program I have is the best for what I'm doing now, but that i might want to use a pay program when I'm ready to prettify the final product.
0 -
wow, that is some massive work, Phillip. How did you get the verses into it?
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Gregory S. MacBeth said:
I am not sure if these will help in building a Horizontal Charts
I don't know exactly what you mean by horizontal chart (work flow?) but in MindManager, some maps have the main branches arranged horizontally with branches moving downward off of them.
SmartDraw has a lot of cool templates and charts and some images, but it is not as functional (at least my version, which is one behind the current one) as something like MindManager with full MS integration (more or less), embedded web browsing, etc.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:
wow, that is some massive work, Phillip. How did you get the verses into it?
I've been speed reading each book for the verses, and as they come up I manually type them in. I'm sure there are some that I have missed, but it has really been worth doing.
0 -
Thanks for the discussion and examples; I've been trying to figure out how to better capture the result of lots of referential study for my SS class in a way that might also be useful to be an aide to presentation/understanding of the class.
Seeing how others are handling similar challenges is helpful--although the graphical output may not be immediately intuitive to the independent observer. Certainly some ideas and potential products to noodle through...tks
0 -
Hey MJ.
I just downloaded Inspiration. however, I still have yet to receive my Authorization Code. How long did you have to wait???????? This is disappointing.
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:
It looks like they have tried to add a variety of graphics.
Inspiration has made it very easy to import graphics which I find very useful. It's features for links, pop-up notes, etc. are very good. My only complaint over the years has been its handling of multiple pages in printing. I've found that I'm comfortable with Logos copy & paste into Inspiration as long as I can also copy & paste into Logos notes. With Inspiration, it is often just wanting to build a link. With linguistic diagrams such as TreeForm I am much more apt to want to embed the image rather than a link to the image.
Answer to unasked question: why do I want the images in notes? Because what I do is list the relevant Scripture references in the notes so that searches find the relevant graphics. Note I also do this with Chart Sermons and fine art.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Philip Spitzer said:
have so far. I'm still working on going through the whole Bible, then I have to clean it up, then I have to continue putting the verses in topics, but its a start. I'm using this more as a collection point of data then to create a visual display. What I'm planning on doing at this point is attaching the subjects as a child to the verse, getting rid of everything on the left, and then creating a separate mind map for the verses divided into the subjects they contribute to.
This is an excellent example of how tree diagrams can be used. For this type of diagram, I like software that allows me to expand and contract nodes to focus on what is relevant to me (or fellow participants) at the moment.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Ward Walker said:
although the graphical output may not be immediately intuitive to the independent observer.
This is true but most well-chosen and well-defined visualizations are quick to teach to an independent observer. Any many are sufficiently intuitive that people catch on without anything having been said.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Milkman said:
How long did you have to wait????????
I've been using it since you had to purchase a box in a brick and mortar store so I have no idea. Inspiration is a very small company.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
MJ. Smith said:
For this type of diagram, I like software that allows me to expand and contract nodes to focus on what is relevant to me (or fellow participants) at the moment.
Freeplane does allow me to do this. Unlike FreeMind it also allows you to manually move items to better locate them. I'm guessing that the For Pay mind mappers allow greater flexibility with where you put things, though.
0 -
For those who are pastors, there are several companies that sell software to non-profits at a reduced rate. You can get Mindjet (which is fairly expensive) for under $100 that way. I love using mind mapping software to do sermon prep with Logos. For me it works best on two monitors.
Fred Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA, Katy, TX
Windows 10 64-bit; Logos 7.1 SR-2 (Reformed Platinum)0 -
Fred Greco said:
For those who are pastors, there are several companies that sell software to non-profits at a reduced rate. You can get Mindjet (which is fairly expensive) for under $100 that way. I love using mind mapping software to do sermon prep with Logos. For me it works best on two monitors.
fred, how do you use it, and how has it helped your sermon prep? Also, any tips to making the collaboration a bit more effecient?
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Dan,
I use it for creating my outlines. It allows me to get thoughts, illustrations, and "points" onto the map, and then I can arrange them in sequential order. It is very flexible, and allows me to get the content of what will be my outline "out" without having the need to think in a strict linear fashion. This is especially helpful with Logos, as I read through various commentaries on the same section. I've attached a PDF of what a finished product looks like of Daniel 9. After I am done, I can export it into Word and print out my outline for the pulpit.
I haven't used the collaboration as of yet.
Fred Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA, Katy, TX
Windows 10 64-bit; Logos 7.1 SR-2 (Reformed Platinum)0 -
so you type thoughts or bits of info in mindmap and arrange them later on, right? As for your "illustrations" or longer "arguments": do you just "know it" or do you attach a note file or link or something? Or once arranged and exported, do you fill in the Word sermon with more extensive notes made in Logos?
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Fred Greco said:
I've attached a PDF of what a finished product looks like of Daniel 9.
Nicely done. excellent example.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:
so you type thoughts or bits of info in mindmap and arrange them later on, right? As for your "illustrations" or longer "arguments": do you just "know it" or do you attach a note file or link or something? Or once arranged and exported, do you fill in the Word sermon with more extensive notes made in Logos?
Sometimes I rearrange, sometimes I can think "linearly" (in outline) fashion. The Mind Map gives me the flexibility not to worry about it as I go. (How many times have I been frustrated by an outline that had a "1" but no "2" [:D] )
I usually do not fill in any more than that level of detail in my outline. I like to be able to preach "extemporaneously" while still being organized. I don't write out a manuscript, or want to constantly be referring to detailed notes. So I rely on my memory and ability to "flesh out" a point during my sermon. Here is an example of an actual outline I take into the pulpit. Almost always it is two landscape pages cut in half (into four half sheets).
Fred Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA, Katy, TX
Windows 10 64-bit; Logos 7.1 SR-2 (Reformed Platinum)0 -
I have been mindmapping my sermons for about 6 years. When I used Windows I used an excellent program called MindGenius which is very intuitive. Since November I've been using a Mac and settled on a program called MindNode. This is less intuitive but is still pretty good. Here's an example from one of my recent sermons:
iMac Retina 5K, 27": 3.6GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9; 16GB RAM;MacOS 10.15.5; 1TB SSD; Logos 8
MacBook Air 13.3": 1.8GHz; 4GB RAM; MacOS 10.13.6; 256GB SSD; Logos 8
iPad Pro 32GB WiFi iOS 13.5.1
iPhone 8+ 64GB iOS 13.5.1
0 -
Fred Greco said:Dan DeVilder said:
so you type thoughts or bits of info in mindmap and arrange them later on, right? As for your "illustrations" or longer "arguments": do you just "know it" or do you attach a note file or link or something? Or once arranged and exported, do you fill in the Word sermon with more extensive notes made in Logos?
Sometimes I rearrange, sometimes I can think "linearly" (in outline) fashion. The Mind Map gives me the flexibility not to worry about it as I go. (How many times have I been frustrated by an outline that had a "1" but no "2"
)I usually do not fill in any more than that level of detail in my outline. I like to be able to preach "extemporaneously" while still being organized. I don't write out a manuscript, or want to constantly be referring to detailed notes. So I rely on my memory and ability to "flesh out" a point during my sermon. Here is an example of an actual outline I take into the pulpit. Almost always it is two landscape pages cut in half (into four half sheets).
Thanks! I have recently started experimenting with the two column landscape. I like it.
I have just decided to dive into MindManager this last week. Am using it for time/task management, organizing elements of particular tasks, even thinking of ways to use it for study and now, sermon prep. Baby steps, but the more i use it the more I like. I also got MM8 with non-profit discount. And I like it much better than MM7pro. I think their support is a bit lacking. And their web page stinks. (did they even think of using a map to figure that out?? lol) Graphics wise they lack. But the intergration with Outlook and PPT and all (and embedded web browsing) is pretty awesome.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Alan Macgregor said:
I have been mindmapping my sermons for about 6 years. When I used Windows I used an excellent program called MindGenius which is very intuitive. Since November I've been using a Mac and settled on a program called MindNode. This is less intuitive but is still pretty good. Here's an example from one of my recent sermons:
I see how you have arranged your thoughts. Have you tried using graphics as visual cues, or preaching straight from it?
Have you seen NovaMind? It is primarily for Mac.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Dan
Yes, I did try NovaMind but, for me, it was less flexible than MindNode. I haven't used graphics, though of course, the ancient rhetoricians taught their students to use mental visual images to memorise their speeches. I'm more a 'words man'. Words function as mnemonic pegs for me to access what is behind them (in my mind). The threads allow me to stay on track in my sermons.
iMac Retina 5K, 27": 3.6GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9; 16GB RAM;MacOS 10.15.5; 1TB SSD; Logos 8
MacBook Air 13.3": 1.8GHz; 4GB RAM; MacOS 10.13.6; 256GB SSD; Logos 8
iPad Pro 32GB WiFi iOS 13.5.1
iPhone 8+ 64GB iOS 13.5.1
0 -
My ears started burning as soon as I heard "MindMap". I've been using MindManager from MindJet since it was the first commercial tool for mind mapping.
I agree with Dan, MM has worked at integrating their program with Microsoft tools, but I have a running complaint that the integration isn't as clean as it needs to be for me. Nevertheless I use it for everything I do.
Mindjet has recently upgraded their web export feature so I've been playing with that. I've been experimenting with building large complex maps and turning them into a web site so I can view and share them through a web browser. You can see this in operation and get an idea of how I use some of the features in MM by looking at my analysis of 1 Peter here. By clicking on lines in the map you will be taken to a text version of the map that has detail hidden in text notes associated with each node. I haven't gotten the whole thing working as nicely as I'd like, but you might get an idea of what's possible. I have maps like this for other Bible books as well. I use Logos to research and then move notes to MM.
One of MM's problems is that they don't have a low cost entry solution. Here's a few links to other tools. I don't know much about them, but have been intending to evaluate them.
Have a great day,
jmac0 -
Gentlemen (I don't think there were any ladies on this thread):
Here's the deal. I have built extensive connections between MindManager 8 and Logos 3. You can see the documentation in the attached PDF (This system won't allow me to upload a .mmap file, but I can send it to anyone who'd like to see it). Use Acrobat 9 to view this file.
Here's a quick rundown of the various tools:
- "Smart Tags" in MindManager: similar to the Smart Tags for MS Word. You can import the text of a verse, link to it, jump to it, etc.
- Importing LDLS files into MindManager; bring note files, prayer lists, word lists, etc., into MindManager
- Sending info to MindManager from LDLS; from within Logos you can send data to MindManager, such as highlighted text, search results, words with all the "tags", and notes
- Smart Map Parts: Keylink and Search: From within MindManager you can run a Logos search or keylink and bring the results into MindManager.
- Keeping Notes in MindManager: From MindManager and from Logos, you can create Logos notes that link directly to an item in a MindManager map--a great way to extend the Logos notes system.
But alas, Logos has not opened up the API for Logos 4--so this stuff only works in Logos 3.
Let me know if any of you are interested in seeing more.
Steve Kaminski
Steven Kaminski
0 -
I'm not sure how you guys got such nice copies of maps inserted into your posts so I'm including a pdf of an Acts map I made.If anyone wants the MindManager8 file itself I'd be happy to email it to you. I have used it for a handout and projection during classes.
Have a great day,
jmac0 -
Steven Kaminski said:
Here's the deal. I have built extensive connections between MindManager 8 and Logos 3.
Whoah baby! I was wondering if this was possible. I'd love to get your files to try and make this work. It could save me a lot of time.
BTW Acrobat 9.3 said your pdf file was damaged, but it repaired it. Odd. I'm off to lead a small group so I'll look at it later.
Bless you!
Have a great day,
jmac0 -
Hi to those of you using Mind Mapping software with Logos. Would you consider saving your work as a pdf, which can be done in Mind Manager, so the rest of us could open and experience graphically what you are talking about. Mind Manager (7, which I have) graphics are powerful tools for aiding the eye and the brain functioning.
0 -
Steven Kaminski said:
(I don't think there were any ladies on this thread):
Yes, there is: MJ. And even if they don't post, they may read! [8-|]
I am quite conflicted about this exciting news: I don't use L3 much anymore, for one. Well, not at all, to be exact, but I still have it operational. Secondly, learning this makes my brain hurt! But on the other hand, I would LOVE to have integration of the two, the more I learn about MM8, the more excited I get. But I am an infant. I would think your application would be great for Bible study and the like, right? Teaching a class, etc.
I don't know what API is, but I would definitely make a harder effort to learn all the above for MM8 if there was some way to integrate.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
JimMcDaniel said:
I'm not sure how you guys got such nice copies of maps inserted into your posts so I'm including a pdf of an Acts map I made.If anyone wants the MindManager8 file itself I'd be happy to email it to you. I have used it for a handout and projection during classes.
for some reason, this map was not interactive. Yes, please send it to me at dustandbreath AT sbc global Dot net.
Question: where did you get the little graphics? I don't see those in my MM8 selection. I must be missing something simple. But I was disappointed with the graphics.
Buzan's has much more, but I like the functionality of MM8 a little better right now.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Steve, if you don't mind, go ahead and send that over, too. I might get ambitious . . .
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
MJ. Smith said:
Hey, Ms. Wrong (lol, that sounds kinda funny), I already came to your defense above! [{]
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
0 -
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
0 -
Dan DeVilder said:MJ. Smith said:
Hey, Ms. Wrong (lol, that sounds kinda funny), I already came to your defense above!
Ms. Wrong #2
0
