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Review: MindManager Mapping software
MindManager Pro 7 (Windows)
MindManager 7 Mac (Mac)Mindjet: San Francisco , USA , 2007. Cost: $349. Free 21 day trial available.
Para leer esta reseña en español clic aquí
Most pastors and seminary students have word processing and Bible software on their computers. If finance permits they may add a desktop publishing package or graphics software. But usually they would not think of adding mind mapping software. However such software can prove to be almost as useful as word processing. The human mind finds visual presentations helpful in solving problems whether they be in school maths or managing to get around international airports. Used by the pastor they can enable him or her to think through complex issues.
Mind mapping is a simple graphical way of analysing a variety of information. For example organizing a course to be run in the church with its elements of content, evaluation, timetabling and materials can be somewhat daunting. But such areas can be represented and interconnected on a single mind map.
Or if the pastor is facing a crisis where there are different pressures and options, sometimes the matter can remain in his mind without resolution for days and nights. However by tacking the issue using a mind map in a brainstorming way, it is possible to set out graphically all the different factors and hopefully see a way forward.
For Seminary students essay or thesis writing can be helped by producing outlines using mapping. The main stages of the writing can be put in place and the various divisions added, expanded and the overall work seen graphically.
Simple mapping programs, such as OpenOffice Draw (in Spanish) and FreeMind (in English but with Spanish examples) are already available free of charge. But for those wanting to use this type of program on a regular basis it is better to purchase more advanced software. One package that has received considerable acclaim by reviewers is MindManager.
The program is an easy to use way of drawing conceptual maps, flowcharts, spider diagrams, mind maps, and brainstorming diagrams. Inserting ideas, connecting them, adding notes and symbols can be done quickly. The maps can be refined by colouring different parts, rearranging in tree structures, placing boundary lines, spell-checking in Spanish, and then can be exported by PDF or JPEG, or in Word or Power Point format.
There are ready made templates and styles for use. Students and pastors running training courses will find the educational templates are particularly useful. For church or community projects there are a variety of project templates which can be adapted.
As with most things in life, the program is not perfect. There are a couple of obvious difficulties that users face. Firstly, there is the problem of someone else without this software being able to look at a map they have been sent electronically. It is possible to download the free MindManager viewing software from the Mindjet site and anyone can then read the map, although they cannot modify it. Otherwise the maps have to exported in PDF or JPEG format to retain their graphical structure. Exporting them in Word results in just the text rather than the map being sent.
Another obvious downside for Spanish speakers is that the interface is in English. However it is an intuitive program with menus including icons, and for those used to Word the program should not to be too difficult to master.
Thankfully, other users are keen to share their experiences which provide insights into how the program can be applied. Recently on the Logos Bible Newsgroup one reader presented a Mind Manger map for analyzing Bible texts. One company in Bogotá, Consultoria Empresarial, has produced a short video on their experiences with MindManager. More examples in Spanish of how to use the program are provided by the Latin American distributor Flexus.
Evaluation
Positive
- Provides a simple way to anaylse complex information and present it visually making it readily understandable.
- Easy to use software that is not too difficult to master.
- Wide range of features for mapping are included.
- There are many examples of map styles and templates available which can be adapted.
Negative
- Exporting the map to others is not as straightforward as simply sending a Word document.
- The interface is in English. There is no Spanish option.
- Too much time can be consumed in improving map presentations.
Summary
This is an excellent program for handling church and seminary information and presenting issues in a graphical way. Students and pastors will find it aids their written work or assists in solving complex problems. The software takes hours rather than days to master.
Visual abilities are used to resolve difficult issues in many disciplines. Why not use them for advancing the kingdom of God?
Example: Designing a Seminary course on hermeneutics
The following graphics indicate the way an outline for a seminary course on hermeneutics can be summarized and then expanded into its different components.
1. Course components: first stage
2. Expanding components to their second stage
3. Expanding components to the third stage
David E. C. Ford
Professor of New Testament, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
