DorkoTech

8.03.2006

MindJet MindManager Plug-ins!

I've been a bit slacking on my MindJet MindManager updates but the MindJet Solutions Lab has been up to some great work! I think the add-in's really add value to MindManager and continually spark new and innovative ways to use MindManager in my everyday life!

Trip Route Mapping with Microsoft Virtual Earth

This is a cool plug-in that allows MindManager to map out directions to your favorite destinations. All you have to do is enter the addresses as topics, create a relationship between the two, right click on the relationship and hit Get Route. A hyperlink is then created to a webpage that uses Microsoft's Virtual Earth to map out the route.

I don't know how handy it would be for me personally but someone that manages meetings or contacts may find it very helpful. I could see myself using it in collaboration with ResultsManager. For example I plan to use ResultsManager to manage all the different contacts and doctors I need to interact with when I become a pharmaceutical/medical rep. Getting to each doctor's office could be difficult so having a plug-in that creates directions would essentially allow me to keep all my important information in one spot (A MindManager Map) This would include topics to discuss, contact information and directions. I do wonder if TEO 3.0 may handle this task better with its map routing features. I have almost all my addresses and contacts in Outlook already so it makes more sense to use TEO for most trips. The only way that contact information gets into MindManager in the first place is via Outlook so it may actually be more work to use MindManager to map out directions vs using TEO 3.0. Since I have not bought TEO 3.0 yet I can't say which method I would prefer but I do like the option to use MindManager for this task.

Trevor from Student Tablet PC has made a very nice entry on this plug-in and it would be nearly impossible for me to explain the plug-in any better than he did! I recommend you take a look at the post and even view the video demonstration which very clearly demonstrates the power of this plug-in.

There is also a great plug-in contest so make sure to submit your ideas as well! If I wasn't so darn busy I would send over my whole book of ideas but again time is against me!

Download the Mindjet MindManager Trip Route Mapping with Virtual Earth Plug-in Here!

Read a great review of the Trip Route plug-in here!
via Student Table PC

MindManager Map Explorer Plug-In

I've blogged about the Map Explorer Plug-in a few times now on DorkTech but I am happy to announce that this plug-in has received an upgrade since its previous release. I suggested that users have the ability to choose whether or not they want the map explorer to display ink topics as ink or try to convert them to text. Well again ask and you shall receive. This is now an option and I don't think I honestly have much to complain about anymore! The ink is also rendered a bit better but still a little blurry in my opinion. I'm happy with it though and I would consider leaving the topics in their natural ink output with this upgrade. MindJet continues to impress me and their effor to please (even their plug-in's) demonstrates how devoted they are to making their customers happy!