NovaMind for Windows

Part of the major rewrite of NovaMind has been prompted by the need to build a file structure and tools that we can use for the Windows version of NovaMind that is under development. We are expecting to have a NovaMind file viewer ready by 11 July, and then the full initial version of NovaMind for Windows out about 2 months after that.

Web Site Update

This is the initial version of the new ScriptMapping web site. We will be adding additional functionality to the web site over time, and would like your feedback on what we have now so we can keep improving it to meet your needs. We will progressively be adding advanced features, with searchable support database, more customer services, a bulletin board, and lots of other bits and pieces.

NovaMind 2.5 nears completion

Over the last few months, NovaMind have completely rewritten the internals of the program to prepare it for the new features they are planning over the next few months and beyond. We are nearing completion of this process, and are in beta testing now, with a scheduled release by 11 July. The new release will be a free upgrade for all version 2.x users. Version 2.5 will look almost identical to the old version, with only a few visible enhancements (like the ability to set custom shadows on individual branches and graphics). However, behind the scenes, things are totally different. It uses a completely new file structure, which uses up to 90% less disk space for Mind Maps with images in them. Once 2.5 is released, development will move on to version 3, which will include lots of new features - some of the planned features are:

• Spotlight integration
• Completely new Inspector
• Dotted and dashed lines for graphic borders, branch links and link lines
• Ability to create link lines between branches and graphics rather than just between branches
• New branch shapes
• Multiple Mind Maps in a single document
• New drawing capabilities
• Enhancements to the outline numbering so that you can have it only going down a certain number of levels from the Mind Map title, and the ability to set the font, and the ability to have different number formats at each level (e.g. numeric for level 1, upper case letters at level 2, and lower case Roman numerals at level 3)
• Boundaries around branches and their sub-branches
• Both vertical and horizontal snap lines
• Option to default the file name to the Mind Map title
• Labels on link lines
• Meanings associated with adornments
• Project planning attributes, and enhanced integration with Merlin (for those who are not familiar with our integration with Merlin, click here to see details)
• Checkboxes on branches
• Display of page boundaries on the Mind Map
• Multiple hyperlinks on a single branch
• Improvements to the Zoom functionality
• Ability to attach sounds and movies to branches
• New adornments user interface with searching capabilities
• Favorite and Recently Used graphics and adornments categories
• New layout options
• New positions for connections to parent and child branches
• Background images, with zooming, transparency, tiling, positioning etc.
• and lots of other things that we can't reveal at the moment in case others try to copy us

There will be a small fee for upgrade to version 3, and not all the above features will be in the initial release, but all of them and more are planned to be added in the months following the initial release of version 3, and will be free updates from version 3.0.

NovaMind chosen
BEST SHAREWARE APPLICATION OF 2004
by MacWorld, Sweden

'"Twelve applications became "Application of the month". Is it possible to choose a "Shareware application of the year"? Yes, but it is not easy. After a few minutes brain excercise I picked NovaMind, a mindmapping application. That kind of application is a category that has luckily not found a standard, but sparkles around with new openings for new thoughts. NovaMind is an excellent example". Ingemar …berg

MacLife (Germany) Reviews Merlin and NovaMind

MacLife recently reviewed Merlin - Mac OS X Project Management Software and of course because it integrates with NovaMind they tested out this functionality too! Below is an extract from the review:

"A creative start to a project is done using brainstorming techniques. Using Mind Maps, all the important facts and ideas are noted and structured. Users create the Mind Maps in NovaMind, and Merlin imports the files. NovaMind on Mac OS X is one of the best applications of its kind."

Project Management with NovaMind and Merlin

Do you have difficulty explaining the goals of projects to your staff? Is it difficult to get their buy-in to the project? Have you ever had one of those "projects from hell" where important tasks were missed out, or there were insufficient allowances made for the risk factors? Do you ever try bringing new staff on to a project which is underway, and have great difficulty in getting them to understand the big picture of what the project goals are?

These problems are often very costly, in terms of time, money and reputation. Just about every project manager has faced these issues at some time in their career, so you are not alone!

We have a totally unique and very powerful solution to these (and many other) project management problems. It is not just one program, but the combination of two programs working together to provide the ultimate in project setup and management.

The combination of NovaMind and Merlin brings a powerful extra dimension to project management, allowing much improved planning, staff buy-in and involvement in the whole process. One of the tenets of project management is the increasing cost of errors or omissions in the plans at each stage of the project. By starting the project with brain storming and Mind Mapping, project scoping is clearly defined early on, problems are resolved during the planning process, and the team is able to have input into identifying issues before they cost you a lot of time and money.

Couple NovaMind and Merlin with the resources of the Apple iPhoto, Address Book, and iCal applications, and you have a very powerful solution for the whole of the project from inception to delivery.

We have been working with the Merlin team since March 2004 to bring you this solution, and we will be continuing to increase the data transfer between the two applications in 2005. Both NovaMind and Merlin are built around the same principle of being simple for beginners but efficient and powerful for experts.

To sell the project to management and customers, the Mind Maps can be shown in NovaMind or quickly exported to a web site, HTML/Java presentation, Powerpoint or Keynote presentation. For documentation for management, the outline of the project can be quickly incorporated into an MS Word document.

Once the tasks have been outlined, the Mind Map is imported into Merlin, where the specific timelines, dependencies, and risk factors are formally identified, and the actual running of the project is controlled. Resources are either added manually or dragged in from the MacOS X Address Book, and timelines and schedules can be exported to iCal calendars for individual time management.

When a new staff member is assigned to the project, the Mind Maps gets them up to speed with the overall project goals very quickly, by giving them both a picture of the project goals and the issues that were faced during the mapping out of the project, and how they were solved, as well as a graphical overview of the tasks, how they relate to each other, and their importance and impact. They can then be quickly introduced to their individual role in the project and see why they are being asked to do those tasks, and what the impact to the rest of the project is.

Click here to purchase your Merlin license (US$190.00) or NovaMind and Merlin bundle.

Although the developers of Merlin don't normally offer educational user discounts, we have twisted their arms and they have agreed that we can offer educational user discounts - click here to apply.

Apple eNews

NovaMind was recognized by Apple in both their "Apple eNews" and "eNews for Education" newsletters, in their November editions, with articles about NovaMind in both magazines, mentioning some uses of NovaMind within business, education, and screenwriting. As could be expected, with news of NovaMind going out to over a million people, we had a lot of interest in NovaMind from individuals, companies schools and universities worldwide.

MacCompanion

MacCompanion reviewed NovaMind v2.4.4 in November and gave it a thumbs-up rating of 4.5 stars (or pieces of fruit) out of 5. It was pleasing to hear that NovaMind made an impression as a productivity tool and professional Mind Mapping program that was easy to use:

"With only a little bit of practice, I found that it (NovaMind) supported and strengthened the idea creation process, and it does so in ways that you can customize to your ideas, doing the diagramming without having to deal with clumsy distracting diagramming interfaces". Harry Babad

MacDirectory Review

"If you are familiar with the Mind Mapping process, then you are going to leap for joy when you take NovaMind for a test drive" - this is how Mary Pyefinch starts her review of NovaMind for the MacDirectory magazine. The review discusses some of the unique features of NovaMind like the Branch Proposal System and the Screenwriting features, and ends by saying: Pros: Easy, very visual, makes Mind Mapping a snap. Easy to follow documentation and tutorials. Love the screenwriting version. Cons: None Rating:

Create a website from your Mind Map with NovaMind v2.4

The ability to export Mind Maps to HTML finally reached the top of our "2 do" list and we are pleased to now present this popular export capability. Within the File / Export menu you will find two HTML website options, "HTML Image Map Based Web Site" and "HTML Outline Based Web Site". The Image Map version creates a graphic of your Mind Map with links to detail pages with the information from your branches on them, while the outline version bases navigation around an outline of the Mind Map. Both export options have templates so that you can choose the overall look and feel that suits you. There are options to change the colors and arrangement of the pages produced, allowing you a huge amount of flexibility in producing unique web sites very quickly.

For power users, there is also the ability to create custom templates either based on an existing template or from scratch, so you have almost unlimited control over the format of the output (this is an advanced option requiring knowledge of HTML). The power and flexibility of the export options far surpasses anything available in any other Mind Mapping program, as you will soon see when you try it out for yourself. One issue with so much power is managing the complexity for users - we have addressed this by careful interface design and by building in a mini-web browser right in NovaMind, so you can instantly see the impact of the changes you make to the export settings. The sample below is of an HTML outline export.

This Mind Map is titled "What Is Your Learning Style" and the selected page (branch) is called Naturalist. The branch image has also been exported to the web page and the text is from the attached text window of the Mind Map. I have used one of the standard templates included called Steel Blue Button.

The HTML export also includes a navigation frame where you can see the other pages (child branches) of the Mind Map and under the title is a quick navigation menu that takes you to the previous page, next, home or to the overview (image of the entire Mind Map). Each HTML export option uses standard HTML so they can be viewed in any modern web browser.

Produce a web-based presentation direct from NovaMind v2.4

In addition to being able to create an entire website from your Mind Map, we have added another unique fetaure; the ability to export to a web-based presentation. This export produces a web page containing the NovaMind Presenter Java applet, running an interactive presentation based around an image of your Mind Map. It uses standard HTML and Java, for viewing on any modern browser. Below is a screenshot of a Java presentation using the same "What Is Your Learning Style" Mind Map

You can use your mouse to select branches, click on hyperlinks, attached text and scripts. There is also full keyboard access for use during your present-ation.

This sample shows the branch "Musical" has been selected and by clicking on the attached text icon it has opened a window to show my notes.

You can also use the navigation buttons at the bottom to move around the branches, the buttons from left to right are: Home, move up the branch, back, forward, zoom in and zoom out. This presentation has been created using the Brushed Metal template selected during the export setup. As with the web site export, there are a number of standard templates to choose from, and you can customize the look of the export. There is also the option for advanced users to create their own templates. If you create a template you think would be popular with users, please send it to us so we can include it with the software for user-sharing.

We recommend reading the updated documentation for details of the export options. The details of how to create your own customized templates is not contained in the normal documentation as it is an advanced option requiring HTML programming knowledge, so if you want to create your own templates please download the separate Word document from our Support page.

NovaMind (MAC)

NovaMind is a highly useful application for articulating ideas and stimulating creative thinking. The program supports the free-flow keyboarding of content that can be flexibly arranged in a mind map format, presenting a graphic representation of a project, process, plan, organization, or other form of endeavor (including an optional module for screenwriting). The mind maps that can be created are without doubt the most graphically impressive available, providing a palette of options to suit virtually any mode of expression.

The extra-cost screenwriting module opens a whole new way for a screenwriter to create a new work, and block out scenes; seeing, all the while, a graphic representation of the work in progress. Writers can actually create their scripts as they fashion their work. As various elements of the script are entered, the program automatically formats the content according to standard guidelines for each element, such as scene, action, character name, dialogue, transition, shot, title, etc. This content can be exported for extrapolation in other programs, such as Word or Final Draft.

Users can represent items in the mind map in a variety of shapes; import graphics in a variety of file formats; highlight branches with adornments, which are color icons provided in dozens of categories; extend major listings with lines, ovals, rectangles, rounded-rectangle branch shapes or with the use of FlexiBranch(R), a patented system in which the branch entry can be manipulated on a Bezier curve.

A unique feature of the program is the Branch Proposal System (BPS) which displays a list of suggested words and phrases that relate to the selected branch. The listing is useful for prompting connections and associations that might not be otherwise considered. The listing of words includes definitions that can also be added as a part of the NovaMind document. This brainstorming process is invaluable, and makes the program a true bargain for any creative professional.

The program has both an outline view and a diagram view. Changes made in either view, appear in the other, and both windows can be kept open at the same time. The user can easily reorder any entry and rearrange the map or outline quickly and effortlessly. The mind maps can be exported in a wide variety of forms, including PowerPoint, Keynote, and PDF. $79

Contact: NovaMind Software Pty Ltd., http://www.nova-mind.com, e-mail: info@nova-mind.com.

Reprinted with permission from The Kleper Report on Digital Publishing http://www.printerport.com/kdp, (C) 2004, Graphic Dimensions, Pittsford, NY.

Software for the brain
By Phil Baker

Monday, October 4, 2004

There's a software category that gets little attention except by those that use it -- and they usually rave about it. It's referred to by different names, including mind mapping and brainstorming software.

Essentially, it's an application that helps organize information, research a topic, develop ideas into a plan of action, or just improve your thinking by helping you to better visualize the task at hand. Mind maps were created in 1970 by Tony Buzan (www.buzancentres.com) to help people more effectively digest, understand and communicate large amounts of information.

Mind maps allow you to look at the big picture, yet drill down to specific tasks and pieces of information and see them at the same time. By arranging information in a mind map, it's possible to solve problems in new ways and allow you to see things differently from the usual linear lists. In addition to displaying words and images in two dimensions, you can vary colors and fonts, and add annotations to more easily scan the information.

The map looks something like the top view of a tree. In the center, the trunk is the title of your project. Ideas or topics are shown as branches. And subtopics under each idea are shown as smaller branches. The software lets you freely drag any of these subtopics to another branch.

Let's use the example of a fictitious wireless provider planning its new product line. The trunk reads "Sprizon product line." You add branches to represent topics, such as "phones," "accessories," "voice plans," "data plans," each a new product category. Then you can create new subtopics under each of these branches, such as "smart phones," "world phones" and "kids' phones" under the topic "phones." There is no limit to the number of levels of branches or detail. You can even associate text, a Web site, Web searches or e-mail with each item.

The leading product of this type for Windows is MindManager by Mindjet (www.mindjet.com) of Larkspur, Calif. Mindjet's latest releases, MindManager X5 at $199 and MindManager X5 Pro at $299, are both powerful products. Among its features Pro goes well beyond facilitating the creation of mind maps by adding integration with Outlook so you can automatically extract information from e-mail, using built-in rules that reside within a subtopic. You can add notes, links to other programs, to a database, or even to Google searches. For most users, the less expensive X5 is more than adequate. A free 21-day trial is offered.

The product is simple to use. You can create a mind map from scratch in a few minutes, or use one of the supplied templates. The branches can be moved around, titled and annotated. As in the example above, the mind map presents a pictorial representation of a product plan that can be communicated quickly to others or cause you to see new relationships that might not have been evident if viewed as a list. For example, you can tie a new smart phone with a new data plan to create a new product offering, then link those relationships together on the map. You can easily switch from the map view to a text outline.

MindManager includes icons called map markers, which allow you to annotate the items to indicate such things as priority, category and progress. You can then use these to filter the view of the map, such as showing only high priority items. The latest interface allows users to customize the map, add background colors, wallpaper, logos, watermarks, and even drag URLs right off the Web and right into maps. While I've not tried the tablet version, MindManager has been cited as one of the best applications for the Microsoft tablet platform.

If you're a Mac user there's an equally attractive product available called NovaMind from NovaMind Software (www.nova-mind.com) of Brisbane, Australia. It works much like MindManager. At $79, NovaMind produces the same type of maps quickly and easily. It takes advantage of the simple interface and graphics capabilities of the Macintosh, focusing more on the ability to customize the appearance, such as adding colors, and free-form branches of varying widths, shapes and fonts. While it doesn't have many of the more complex capabilities of MindManager, its simplicity of use and creative capabilities make it a terrific product that does what it does well.

NovaMind can import MindManager files and has a module designed for screenwriters and playwrights. Like MindManager, it has the ability to easily move between the mind map to an outline.

Both of these products are great at what they do. Whether you have a PC or Mac, they offer a resource that can help you deal with complex issues and almost make it fun.

Baker has developed and marketed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. He is the holder of 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Consumer Products Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. He can be reached at phil.baker@sddt.com.

New graphics library included in v2.3

The latest release includes a new graphic interface and library for adding images into your Mind Map. Upon download, the new version comes standard with only a small selection of the library (around 100 images) so you need to visit our Downloads website, view the categories of images available and download the ones you are interested in. Alternatively, there is a PDF document you can download which has a list of all the images and tells you in which category to find it before you start downloading. This latest release is a free upgrade for anyone with an existing 2.x.x license key.

There is over 30MB of zipped images in total (now you know why it is separate to the software) so download the categories you want, and yes, they are free. Please note they have been encrypted so the images will only work in NovaMind (this is part of the license conditions under which we can distribute the images). The downloads are split into 5 categories - General is 15.8MB, Technology 3.2MB, Education 2.3MB, Nature 4.9MB and People 10.7MB and there is a very simple installation process.

Below is an extract from the updated documentation that describes how to use the new graphics interface and how to search for pictures.

The full graphics library comprises of over 1,400 images in a number of subject categories such as Arrows, Business, Computers, Education & Science, Food & Drink, News Media & Entertainment, Objects, People, Transport and more. Because of the large size of the library, only some images are distributed within the program, the rest are available by download from the NovaMind Downloads webpage and are free. Download the categories of interest and then follow the automatic installation prompts to install the files.

The graphics library also integrates with iPhoto and when NovaMind is started will locate any iPhoto albums on your computer so they can also be used in your Mind Map. Note that the iPhoto album and graphics library data is accessed only during startup so if images are added or deleted from the library or iPhoto, the library window does not get updated until the next program re-start.

To open the graphics library, click on "Window" in the NovaMind menu and then select "Graphics Library" or use the hotkeys "Shift / Command / G" (for graphics of course)! The default view upon opening will list all the categories and by using the drop-down arrows you can view the contents within the library. You can choose from two views, either a text list with the filename (as shown right in the "Buttons" category) or as thumbnails (Computers category) You can view each category in either mode (list or thumbnail), or click on the list or thumbnail mode to the right of the search field which will be applied to the whole library. When in list mode, further information on a particular graphic can be found by clicking on the information (i) icon to see a thumbnail, image size and keywords.

If you are looking for a particular category you can click on the + sign at the top, then select the category from the drop-down box. If the category you select has sub-category underneath e.g. Objects, a second drop-down box will appear so you can select from the sub-folders, e.g. Objects/Pins. You can click on the + again to enable another drop-down box so you can see more than one category listed at a time. By clicking on the - symbol will remove that category restriction.

Images can also be located using the search field that will check for matching text in filenames and keyword description then present the search results in the window below. Searches commence upon typing the very first letter and as you continue to type the word the results are refined. As you search, when your search returns less than 100 images, the categories will be automatically opened for you, with the exception of iPhoto albums, as often these contain a large number of large files that can take time to generate thumbnail images for, so NovaMind only creates the images if the user manually opens that iPhoto album listing in the graphic library. Upon finding an appropriate image: Drag the image over an existing mind map branch and the graphic will be applied to the background of that branch. Press the Control key while dragging it over a branch and it will become a floating attached graphic. While a branch is selected, drag the image over the canvas and drop to attach it to the selected branch as a floating attached graphic. Click and drag it on to the canvas while holding down the Command key and it will add a new child branch attached to the selected branch at the position you dropped it with the image as the background. Note that the same option keys apply if you are dragging an image onto the Mind Map from the Finder.

V2.2 includes Mind Manager Import and Export for File Sharing!

In our v2.2 release we have included a feature requested by customers for importing and exporting Mind Maps in a format compatible with Mind Manager. NovaMind Mind Maps can now be exported in .XML format, compatible with MM, enabling sharing and editing between users of both Mac and PC platforms. This will be particularly useful in mixed-platform offices, schools and also great for emailing between home and work if you have two different systems!

This sample shows an export from NovaMind (the top image) into Mind Manager (bottom image). Unfortunately not all features are compatible being two seperate products developed by different companies, on different systems and with different ideas for their software...but the majority is there which means a lot less re-typing!

You can visit our online documentation, or the help files within NovaMind to learn how to import and export in .XML format. The documentation also discusses in further detail how particular features of NovaMind and Mind Manager are handled when exporting and importing to the other.

Exported from NovaMind (above) to Mind Manager (below):

AAUG Moose Rating (1-5) 4 = Impressive

Mary Rydesky, AAUG Member, recently reviewed NovaMind v2.1 for her User Group and provided a good review that compares the features of NovaMind with that of Mind Manager. Mary's full review can be read on the AAUG site but below is our favorite little passage from it....

"NovaMind exhibits deep understanding of the mind-mapping concept and puts the Mac twist on it by offering logical icons, drag and drop manipulation, and quick-to-learn shortcuts. It took me about ten minutes from downloading and registering my software to having a map of six phases related to a complex project I am currently managing. I quickly learned how to add graphics and how to export my creation in numerous forms.Not only was the program easy to learn by experimentation, but also when I turned to the help I found a tutorial that was simple and direct. In eight lessons, I went from the orientation to the fine points."