Reminds me of a conversation you and I had some months back in which you gave me pretty much the same advice. I had been using, and continue to use, MindManager, but since our chat I've come to depend on The Brain. I work on large systems integration projects and the concept maps of Personal Brain are invaluable in keeping track of all the connections within, and external to, the programs.
]]>Excellent article that both differentiates between concept and mind maps and also gives a useful example of how one might determine which to use.
It's always been a bit on an enigma to me that people who are aware of concept maps are very aware of mind mapping as well, yet those who promite mind mapping are not always so savvy about concept mapping.
Bit of concept mapping to MindManager 8, anyone?
And God knows I tried in the VSS templates: http://mcfarlin.typepad.com/the_underlying_blog/2007/05/the_mind_map_li.html
]]>http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=2042
http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=47
Free demos for both programs are available.
Story Weaver, at $30, is quite straightforward and, I think, would be extremely useful to your reader. She already has the basic background work and many ideas. Story Weaver could help her pull out the essentials needed to craft them into a good story.
Dramatica Pro is as much a theory of story as it is story planning software. It's considerably more complex and considerably more expensive ($230), but well-worth it for the dedicated writer who wants to master the story crafting process and keep control of complex relationships while at the same time allowing for spontaneity. The learning curve is a bit steep, but many professional writers swear by it.
]]>Thank you for the article on Mindmapping or Conceptmapping.
I was reading your article and thought: why not use both mapping techniques in the same map? I created a technique called SumMapping (short for Summary Mapping). This technique helps people in visualising information in a wide
variety of styles. You can use a central mindmap, next to that you use some linear text, an image, a concept map, a table, etc.
The goal of the SumMap is to give an overview, or the proverbial big picture, on a topic and closely related topics.
Perhaps this is something you can share with your client/friend as well. While writing a book, you may want to use mindmaps for characters, plots in concept maps, etc. Still, creating 2 or more separate maps can give you not
the big picture of the book. That is why the technique advices people to put them together. At a later time, you can zoom in on for example main characters and develop them more.
The great thing is that MindManager (and MindMapper for instance) can create concept maps as well, next to the mindmaps.
I hope to hear your thoughts on this.
Again, many thanks for the information!
Best regards,
Arjen
Stan mentioned Dramatica Pro as an alternative, and noted it has a free Demo version.
However, the Demo version is NOT upgradeable (despite what it says on their website)! Any work you do in the Demo version is lost. When you buy the full retail version ($269 if you want a CD), you are directed to download an entirely different piece of software and start from scratch.
Their Tech Support people told me they really intend for you to just LOOK at the screens in the Demo version, not to actually do any work on them (despite the fact that it is promoted as a "Fully Functioning" demo).
Ask me how I know this. :-(
I use Tinderbox to map out my novels, and I find it infinitely versatile.
]]>I am looking for:
1. an interface dedicated to making a concept map (i.e., not an interface primarily dedicated to mind mapping, i.e., the ability to quickly add nodes and labeled relationship lines betwen them)
2. an interface that allows for detailed notes to be added to a node in rich text (styles and bullets), with the notes preferrably in a separate pane so that they can easily be viewable.
cmap fits #1 but not #2. That is, cmap's notes are plain text and you have to click a little icon thing to be able to see the note.
Basically, a nice, smooth, rich-featured UI but for concept maps, not for mind maps. A Mindmanager for concept maps, if you will.
]]>I think Cayra matches your search request. It's a free mind/concept mapping software.
Hope that was helpful,
Regards,
Julia.