Question About an Old Thread- Mind Mapping Software
Yesterday I was browsing MJ Smith's website www.logos4catholics.org and noticed she has links to helpful software, a couple of them being mind mapping software. I remembered some discussions on mind mapping here in the forums. sincS I have "grown" somewhat in my studies I thought that I would review the threads.
I finally downloaded two freebies just to give the concept a try. I have only worked with them about a half hour each (Freemind and Argunet) and have discovered there is a potential for me to use a program but since I am still new to mind mapping software I am extremely slow. I know this will improve with practice and familiarity.
My question: (maybe best for MJ, since she is the only one that I recall saying she used a software titled "Inspiration"). If I went ahead and invested some money (in this case $69 for Inspiration) would it be easier to use? I know that a lot of open source software is comparable to paid versions and others are not even close. In this case, I have no idea since it is a new concept to me. I am not prepared to invest in some of the other paid programs that are mentioned in the forums in the $200-500 U.S. range.
My goals are:
- A program that only I will use. No need to share/collaborate.
- No need to export to multiple formats, although PDF ability would be a nice thing to have, but I already have Acrobat also so I am assuming I could use it to print as a PDF file if the program does not have the ability to automatically export to PDF.
- My Bible studies are simple and basic but have been learning proper study habits. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to Bible study, in fact, of the users in the Logos forums I belong in the butter knife section.
- Not a member of the ministry, as mentioned in #1, I would use the program similar to how I use Microsoft OneNote to keep track of thoughts and processes.
Sorry this is such a long post but wanted to give all the details that I could think of. Thanks for your consideration.
Comments
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Rick said:
Argunet
For argument mapping Austhink has a nice tutorial http://austhink.com/reason/tutorials/Tutorial_1/index.htm While this is for a more complex software, the ideas transfer quite nicely. Or, if you prefer the more abstract, do a search on "Toulmin argument" He is that man who recognized that most of the time we don't use rigorous logic - no syllogisms or symbolic logic. Even "The Toulmin Model of Argument" in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Toulmin should get you started.
Rick said:Inspiration
The major advantage of Inspiration is that it's primary market is schools - for students as well as teachers. It has a simpler User Interface than FreeMind and is VERY reliable software. In 15 years or so of use I have never had it crash or freeze.. When I have run into problems - trying to trick it into doing things that are no standard functions, Customer Support has always responded within a day. You can read the QuickStart PDF and download a trial version at http://www.inspiration.com/Help-Center/Inspiration#Quickstart to see if you find it more intuitive. You can easily use it to draw Argunet diagrams.
As for mind maps, Inspiration allows you a fair amount of freedom in style but has a very simple default. http://www.lionden.com/concept_maps.htm is a decent introduction to mind mapping/concept maps - a single page with examples.
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."
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Thank you so much MJ Smith. [:)]
I did not try to use them yesterday but will download Inspiration's free trial today. The concept of mind mapping software has gotten my attention!
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Rick:
I also followed MJ's suggestion a while back, perhaps in the same threads to which you refer, to try Inspiration. I do like it. And, it is easy to use. It also offers options other than mind-mapping per se.
And for myself, I really like mind-mapping for note taking. And, I want something I can use on my iPad that I can shoot over to my PC for later review. After a long and arduous process, I chose Mindjet MindManager. They have an iPad version and Mindject Connect (the web portion) is free. I take notes of sermons - much easier for me than a traditional outline...
Mind-mapping also helps in sermon prep.
But, for teaching Bible class, I think I like Inspiration... still testing... but, I can project on a screen what I am doing and teach visually, which the students seem to like...
Anyway, perhaps this will help..
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Bill Cook said:
I chose Mindjet MindManager. They have an iPad version and Mindject Connect (the web portion) is free.
Good to know.
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."
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Bill, thanks for the info. The last couple of days have been busy (logging in here in between tasks) for me and I still have not gotten around to giving it a try. I do plan on it though and that is two recommendations for Inspiration's software. Thanks again.
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MJ or Bill,
Do you know whether or not the license agreement would allow me to put the program on a desktop and a laptop under one license? I cannot find this on the web site.
Sorry if this is starting to become somewhat non-Logos related but I do plan on using the two programs in conjunction with one another. The reason that I ask is at the fire station that I work at we work 2 days on and 3 days off. So there are two days out of five that I have to use my laptop.
Thanks again.
EDIT: Disregard this post. I found the EULA on the web site and it appears to be only one computer. I'll have to contact them to see if I can get permission or a reduced rate for my second computer.
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I have downloaded the trial and all I can say is "Oh Wow!"
Much easier than the two freebies that I downloaded. At least for me [:)]
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Rick said:
I have downloaded the trial and all I can say is "Oh Wow!"
I'm glad your like it - and hope they'll handle the 2 machines issue nicely. Because a major chunk of their business is schools they are used to pricing by machine.
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."
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