Buzan's iMindMap - A Biased Review

Let me up front and honest about this review of Buzan's iMindMap. I am a dedicated user of this software and a huge fan so bear that in mind as you read this review. That means I am going to be evangelical about how great iMindMap is and so this might appear slightly biased. However as a professional I will only write what is true so you can guarantee this is accurate but I wanted to warn you about my enthusiasm for this software.

So with the caveat aside, let me tell you a little bit about Buzan's iMindMap.

First of all, why look at Mind Map software in the first place? Well without going into great detail the technique uses an approach that mirrors the way our brain naturally stores and organizes information. Whilst we can process and generate written text, our brain does not work that way naturally which is why we have to learn to write. Our natural way of organizing the information in our head is through key ideas, images, and feelings linked through a series of interconnected associations. Mind Mapping is exactly the same and so Buzan's iMindMap is the software equivalent.

Mind Map software will help you in a variety of different applications. In fact so broad are the range of the possibilities open to you when you use Mind Mapping that it is easy to say that any time you organize your thoughts on paper then using the Mind Map will help you. Of course there are many different variants of Mind Map software, some good, a few great and some diabolical and so choosing the right one for you is important. Fortunately Buzan's iMindMap covers all the bases and is pretty much a one stop shop when it comes to utilizing mind mapping on your computer.

In its simplest and purest form, a Mind Map consists of a central image which represents the main theme of your with several branches radiating out from it on which are placed either keywords or images. Expanding from each of those branches are smaller sub-branches also carrying keywords or images.

The visual structure of the map is an indication of the hierarchical relationship between the ideas represented. Those closer to the center of the map are bigger and therefore relatively more important than those on the outer edges. The relationship between those ideas is laid down by the branches and how they link together.

Buzan's iMindMap allows you to create this form of relationship between ideas very quickly and very easily and in just a few clicks you can create branches, add images and annotate branches with keywords. This means you can generate a brain friendly capture of your ideas in just a few minutes and do so in a way that your brain absolutely loves.

Fortunately Buzan's iMindMap comes with all the facilities you need to do this. One of its most impressive features is its extensive database of images. A really cool trick that it does for you is when you have created a branch and have annotated it with a keyword, if you want to add a related image, when you open up the image library it will bring up suggested pictures for that particular keyword. I was overjoyed when I discovered this. So pretty much any idea you have can be expressed in pictorial form from the database.

Now Buzan's iMindMap comes in 3 versions. Starting with the basic Elements version, you next progress to the Professional version and finally there is the Ultimate version of iMindMap. You might see an Ultimate Plus version advertised but this is the same as the Ultimate but with added resources like a Mind Mapping book, extra templates and some additional training videos.

The Elements version of Buzan's iMindMap is a great starting point for someone new to Mind Mapping but is really aimed at students who may not need some of the more advanced features like project management or the e-Learning Course design module.

The Professional version of Buzan's iMindMap comes with some great additional features which includes a partial integration with some of the Microsoft Office functionality. This version of the software is probably suitable for the needs of most people.

Buzan's iMindMap in its Ultimate version has the full range of functionality including full integration with Office and iWork and a range of really cool additional features that include a project management system, the e-Learning Course Builder, and inbuilt presentation mode, the ability to add audio notes and of course all the features of the Elements and Professional versions.

All of the versions are easy to use and once you get started with implementing it in your personal and professional lives, you will start to see how addictive using it is because of the positive impact it will have on your performance. If you go in at the Professional version you will very quickly want to upgrade to take advantage of the additional features of the Ultimate version of Buzan's iMindMap.

All in all Buzan's iMindMap is probably the best Mind Map software on the market right now not only because of its great functionality (which I grant you a couple of other software have too) but also because it truly adheres to the fundamentals of Mind Mapping (which only graphics and drawing packages have previously had).

So Buzan's iMindMap is a truly stunning piece of software that comes highly recommended and if it sounds like this review is biased, then it probably is because I am sold on it hook, line and sinker because of how powerful it is.

The best thing for you to do is download it yourself (there is a free trial) and check out these free Buzan's iMindMap Videos.