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After Jeff posted about this, I went to explore two different tools, but
ended up not ordering either one.  Since that time, I have found
FreeMind, which is open source, and so is completely free.  To learn
more, see http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page It's
available for any operating system.

Dave

David L. Smith, Ph.D.
Director of Professional Development
Da Vinci Discovery Center, Allentown, PA 
http://www.davinci-center.org
"Who will pick up where Leonardo left off?"



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jeff courtman
> Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 11:16 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: concept mapping software
> 
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of 
> Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network 
> of science museums and related institutions.
> **************************************************************
> ***************
> 
> Another software deal for non-profits:
>  
> Last year a friend of mine who is a very successful 
> entepreneur showed me a software package he uses to record 
> his ideas while keeping focused on the global picture.  I was 
> impressed because i've always been frustrated with linear 
> project management software, like MS Project, particularly in 
> the early stages of project development.  So, I downloaded 
> several versions of concept mapping and played with them.
>  
> the one i personally liked the best is one called mindmapper 
> pro (mindmapper.com).  The first thing I liked about it was 
> how user friendly it was; the learning curve is almost zero.
>  
> I've been mindmapper for about a year now and have found it a 
> very powerful tool for organizing everything, from harvesting 
> brainstorming ideas, to concept mapping a project, whether 
> operational issues or content development, or both, to 
> developing priority lists.  I have found it an excellent tool 
> for quickly communicating the arms of a project.
>  
> i contacted the company to see about a non-profit rate for 
> museums and they are more than happy to offer it.  Their pro 
> version (which you can download a trial version of) is only 
> $90, half of their for-profit version.
>  
> They have a version with less bells and whistles for only $60.
>  
> If you tend to think non-linearly, I would highly recommend 
> checking this product out.  This is one of those products 
> that has made my work life easier by an order of magnitude.
>  
> They are at mindmapper.com.  If you're interested, just email 
> them for details.
>  
> p.s. this is not a commercial pitch - i get nothing out of 
> this, other than sharing info with colleagues.
>  
> Jeff Courtman
> Exhibits & Special Projects Coordinator
> 251.208.6851
> Exploreum Science Center
> www.exploreum.net <http://www.exploreum.net/> 
>  
> 
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