Beyond Mind Mapping

Biggerplate Unplugged conference, January 2013

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to catch up with Liam Hughes of Biggerplate, who is launching the Biggerplate Unplugged conference series, starting in January 2013.

Ideas for a mini-conference around mind mapping and mind mapping software have surfaced and sunk again for as long as I can remember, but this time is it really happening, thanks to Liam's drive. It needed doing, but unlike many of the rest of us, Biggerplate were not going to sit and hope that it would eventually do itself. Whether or not it "succeeds", we owe them a big debt of gratitude for shouldering the burden and also for making it very accessible. But I don't think they need worry too much; the attendee list is already a Who's Who in this niche, and is going to be unmissable for anyone seriously interested in mind mapping software. Despite the fragmentation of online groups by an explosion of social media channels, I think there is still a real interest in in-depth application stories, experiences and insights. Perhaps meeting face-to-face and sharing more than 140 characters is the new social media. Or maybe I'm just old.

The well-worn marketing strapline "It does what it says on the tin" could hardly apply less to mind mapping software. So I am delighted to also say that at the London event I will be presenting some new ideas around the use of mind mapping software for communication instead of Mind Mapping. I look forward to seeing you there!

• What: Biggerplate Unplugged mini-conference
• When: Thursday 31st January 2013
• Where: Central London, England
• Cost: Early Bird tickets under £20. Book here sooner rather than later :)

Mindjet Power Markers launches today

Today is a big day around these parts, as it sees the launch of Power Markers for MindManager as a Mindjet product. As some of you will know, Mindjet acquired Power Markers from Harport Consulting at the start of the year, and the integration into the Mindjet product line is now complete. It has been an exciting journey, which is only just starting - I fully expect the next few months to bring the unexpected. The biggest lesson learned so far is that I should forget about software and re-train as an Intellectual Property Lawyer if I want a mansion in the country and a swimming pool. Sorry, James.

I would like to acknowledge the many people who have made this possible by encouraging and supporting Power Markers over the last eighteen months. As well as all the patient users who took the time and trouble to test beta versions and send in problem reports & suggestions, a lot of credit goes to Nigel Goult at Olympic, who was the first reseller, Dahan Bakker and Martine Jésus at MMD France (especially Martine for her epic work on translating the French edition), and John, Alex and Zoe England at MindSystems in Australia. I would like to thank you all for your support. If you tried or bought Power Markers, then thank you too. And last but not least, I would of course like to thank Mindjet for their big leap of faith.

If you already use Power Markers version 2, then check out this post for more details of the impact of the new Mindjet Power Markers version 3. If you have MindManager but don't use Power Markers, then this video will get you started.