OpenMind
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| MatchWare OpenMind | |
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| Developed by | MatchWare |
| Latest release | 2 |
| OS | Windows 98, 2000, XP, and Vista, Mac OS X |
| Genre | Mind mapping software |
| License | Commercial |
| Website | matchware.com |
OpenMind is a computer program, developed and distributed by MatchWare, for easily brainstorming ideas and organizing information using the well-renowned Mind Map concept. Each subject or idea is entered as a new branch, after which the user can attach text, images, comments, cross-branch relations, hyperlinks and any number of external files to the branch. The entire project can then be presented in a number of different, interchangeable layouts, including several different views as well as a timeline. This allows for a long list of possible applications, like creating document dispositions, SWOT analysis, complex timelines, business plans and storyboards, improving writing skills, utilizing visual thinking etc. A large number of document templates are included with the program to showcase this flexibility, and the brainstorm mode allows the user to add dozens of new branches in an instant.
OpenMind was first released as OpenMind Pro and marketed as a flexible learning and organizational tool. A Gantt chart view and several advanced new features, which were aimed at corporate use and greatly expand on the possible applications for the software, were introduced in the Business edition.
OpenMind allows for export to several formats such as HTML, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Rich Text Format and a number of image formats, and can re-import many of these document types seamlessly at a later stage in the development. When exporting to HTML or an Office application, a large number of predefined layout templates are available. The program also integrates fully with MatchWare Mediator.
If the document is to be printed, it can be spread across several pages to create large-format prints without specialized equipment. For electronic presentation beyond the formats listed above, an OpenMind Viewer is available free of charge from the developers website.
OpenMind is available in English, German, French and Danish, and requires Microsoft Windows 98 or newer. The Pro-version is available for Mac OS X as well.
[edit] Business edition
After the release of OpenMind Pro, the software branched into a new version, OpenMind Business, which focuses on corporate applications of the mind map concept. The basic program and interface is the same, but the new version adds a Gantt chart, making the software suitable for such tasks as project planning, WBS and task scheduling/resource allocation. Among other new features are seamless Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Project integration, as well as numerous improvements of the existing functionality in OpenMind Pro.
OpenMind Pro can open Business-documents and vice versa; however, the former cannot display any Gantt charts or task information contained in documents created with the Business version.
