Review: Pocket MindMap productivity software

Pocket Mindmap is a mobile software package that allows you to apply mind-mapping techniques on your Pocket PC.

If you're new to mind mapping, it's a good way to visualise topics on all kinds of subjects or take notes that make sense even after a long time.

Blank mind maps have just the single central topic from which all other topics branch off. It's possible to change the text in a topic in the main view, or a double-click opens up more detailed options where font and related hyperlinks can be entered.

These advanced options can also be used to add scribbles (using the stylus like a pen) to topics. This is best for when you are in hurry and don’t want to use the other input options; were it not for this, Pocket MindMap could not be used quickly and would lose much of its appeal.

The software is compatible with the symbols used in MindManager to mark maps, and these are an excellent way to describe topics and branches. Multiple symbols can be assigned a topic and then used to filter them.

Pocket MindMap is not just about creating maps but also being able to view maps that have already been created. It can import mind maps from the default MindManager file format and from the XML versions.

Exporting is a little more flexible with HTML, text and image files; this is important when sharing documents with anyone who does not have MindMap and for moving work from mind maps into finished work.

Pocket MindMap can also import Task entries from Pocket PCs, remembering those tasks that have been already imported so they are only added to maps once.

Ultimately Pocket MindMap is hamstrung by the typically small size of Pocket PC displays; mind mapping works best with lots of screen space. It might be easier if there was a rotate option, although this would rule out some of the text entry methods.

To offer the maximum amount of space, a full screen mode is available. For this reason the Transcriber tool  is the best option for input as this leaves the most space for the MindMap.

Pocket MindMap is available in English and German and a full-featured 30-day trial version is available on the Pocket MindMap website .

Also consider:
Mindjet Mindmanager Pro 6
Capture, organise and share your thoughts using visual mapping techniques on your PC

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