David - thanks for the mention! Version 2 of ResultManager is on schedule for release at the end of the month, and we're getting very excited about it. We'd be delighted to provide a beta copy to anyone who is knowledgable in GTD and also a MindManager X5 or X5 Pro user. Just mail me or Nik Tipler at nik.tipler@gyronix.com.

Best regards, and thanks for a great seminar in London!

Nick Duffill, nick.duffill@gyronix.com

I was happy to see this entry on mind mapping. I've mind mapped my to dos and projects for years. The mind map shown in your book "Getting Things Done" caught my eye and was the reason I bought the book. Your system is great and works best for me using mind maps vs. massive lists. I would like to automate my system and look forward to reading more about your experiences with mind manager.

David

I agree - mindmapping applications have come a long way. In the spirit of reciprocation, might I suggest an opensource alternative, FreeMind, for those on tight budgets. I have used it for sometime and, whilst lacking some of the refinements of commercial alternatives, it still provides a good basis for mindmapping on any platform that supports Java.

http://freemind.sourceforge.net/

Not only is Mindmanager a terrific brainstorming and project definition tool in its own right, it offers great synchronization with Outlook and (if you need it) MS Project. We have a number of committed GTD'ers at my company and we regularly use Mindmanager to generate and manage new projects, capture the output from brainstorming meetings, and outline new content for our web site and other publications. Looking forward to reading your ideas on how to use mind mapping and this tool to further the GTD workflow David.

For Those who are using Mindmanager, Mindmanager for Dummies is a great resource!

Dave,

thanks for the valuable tools.

I've got one more to add:

Desktop Sidebar: www.desktopsidebar.com

It allows users to display their tasks (among other things) in a convenient location on the screen. I use it in conjunction with my Outlook inbox and I have a very good view of all of my next actions.

Also an alternative: am very fond of MindGenius, find it offers just the right amount of functionality for my needs, and is incredibly easy to create intuitive mind-maps without the interface getting in the way.

http://www.mindgenius.com/

I tried FreeMind, then tried to copy into any other package and I got an indented text outline. That is all these packages are really doing, so can someone explain to me why they are superior to an outline?

The content might not be different than an outline, but it helps some of us who just happen to visualize concepts better in a mind map.

There is something about an ordered list that doesn't lend itself to the fluid nature of a mindmap. However, it might just not work for you.

For Mac users, Novamind's program is a very elegant and well thought out mind mapping program (Mindmanager only supports PC).

I've been a dedicated mind mapper for a couple of years now. The new X5Pro version of Mind Manager is a massive improvement on an already invaluable program ... and I'm also trying out the new (still beta I think) version of Gyronix's Result Manager. In fact, Result Manmager is on hold whilst I get to grips with GTD. Prior to this my life and business were in a real mess after serious mental illness. Mind Manager helped me prepare for release from hospital; GTD is now part of my cognitive behavioural therapy program; and Results Manager is a tool that's going to help me keep my home and business all on track.

David,

I´ve been using Mind Manager long time, but, I think

that IHMC tool it´s better and free.

Check { Link }

A Manager from Spain

I started using mindmaps when I was a medical student and found them very helpful. The only problem was that once you've put information down on paper, it was difficult to rearrange.

What I do like about mindmanager is that information can be arranged in a hierarchic way. Later this can be changed as you become more familiar with the concepts involved. Specialist training require a lot of up to date knowlege and the addition of database functions would make this software a must have for all doctors and medical students.

It would indeed be wonderful if mindmanager could broaden its scope from business to the medical world as well. There are so many possibilities!

Most of my collegues use Palm PDA's as they outsmart pocket pc's 10 to 1 on Ward rounds. If information entered on PDA's could be synchronized to mindmanager...just imagine that!