Keys for use in brainstorming?

[Kevin]

I'm very use to creating mindmaps using XMind Pro and Freemind, and would
like to give Visio 2007 Pro a try since it appears that the brainstorming
template is relatively decent. My biggest hang-up with it so far is the
apparent lack of keyboard shortcuts for creating sub-topics, peers, etc. For
example, in XMind I can quickly add peers simply by pressing Enter, and
create a sub-topic by pressing Tab. It all flows very smoothly and easily.

In Visio, I'm finding it very inefficient to constantly jump back and forth
between the keyboard and mouse to click icons or choose menu items just to
add items. Yes, I'm aware of the "add multiple sub-topics" option, but that's
a very poor alternative. Does anyone know of any shortcut keys to use for
this template?

 

[Paul Herber]

I'm very use to creating mindmaps using XMind Pro and Freemind, and would
like to give Visio 2007 Pro a try since it appears that the brainstorming
template is relatively decent. My biggest hang-up with it so far is the
apparent lack of keyboard shortcuts for creating sub-topics, peers, etc. For
example, in XMind I can quickly add peers simply by pressing Enter, and
create a sub-topic by pressing Tab. It all flows very smoothly and easily.

In Visio, I'm finding it very inefficient to constantly jump back and forth
between the keyboard and mouse to click icons or choose menu items just to
add items. Yes, I'm aware of the "add multiple sub-topics" option, but that's
a very poor alternative. Does anyone know of any shortcut keys to use for
this template?

Look at recording a macro.
menu Tools -> Macros -> Record New Macro
You will be asked for a Control-<letter> key. Some letters won't work
as they are used for other purposes i.e. Control-A won't work as that
does select-all.

 

[sbmack7]

Look at recording a macro.
menu Tools -> Macros -> Record New Macro
You will be asked for a Control-<letter> key. Some letters won't work
as they are used for other purposes i.e. Control-A won't work as that
does select-all.

Without knowing what the end-state objectives of your visualization
exercises are, there are a couple of free visualization tools that may
work better than Visio:

Genie: http://genie.sis.pitt.edu/

Genie is a Bayesian Network analytical tool developed by guys at
Pitt. Does influence diagrams too. You can do page transclusions
using a submodel node. Sharp tool. You can skip just use it for
diagramming and skip the analytics. However, you cannot create linked
cycles. (Bayesian no-no.)

The program is Compendium: http://compendium.open.ac.uk/institute/

Compendium is an explicit dialog mapping tool funded by Verizon. It
was designed around a construct called IBIS. But you can adapt it any
way you wish. Transclusions are explicit using map nodes. Compendium
has a very rich tag system. And you can create your own icon classes.

Here's a link to bunch of other mind mapping tools. Many web based an
free:

http://mashable.com/2007/11/03/mindmapping/

What bugs me about the Buzan school of mind mapping are the end
product plates of visual spaghetti. I'm still trying to figure out
how those things generate inferential value beyond the feel good group
session. But maybe it's just me.

Good Luck

SteveM

 

[Kevin]

Thank you both very much. These were very helpful!

 

[VicGee]

Kevin: You could try FreeMind - it's not only free, but has keyboard
shortcuts.

SteveM: On the value of Buzan mindmaps, don't you feel the value in
most mind maps is the value of the process, not the value of the end
product? An exception might be when mind maps are used to initiate
and meeting and then used to record descisions of the meeting. Then
everyone needs to find the final result comprehensible.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

 

[John... Visio MVP]

If you are going to solicit customers in the newsgroups, please make your
self interest known.

John... Visio MVP

Kevin: You could try FreeMind - it's not only free, but has keyboard
shortcuts.

SteveM: On the value of Buzan mindmaps, don't you feel the value in
most mind maps is the value of the process, not the value of the end
product? An exception might be when mind maps are used to initiate
and meeting and then used to record descisions of the meeting. Then
everyone needs to find the final result comprehensible.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

 

[VicGee]

John,

If you're referring to me, what do you mean by "customers"? If you
can find any way to buy anything at my site, do please let me know,
I'd be interested to find where the income I'm not getting is going!
Nothing on sale, and no affiliate links or ads there mate!

And I have no links to FreeMind, other than as an occasional user, nor
to Buzan, other than as a reader of one of his books years ago.

please make your self interest known

I did: In my sig.

Nope, all way off target. If people seek information I do my best to
make a contribution of knowledge. You're on a public Google Group
here and I was joining a conversation on a subject I find
interesting. Sorry that doesn't fit your expectations.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

I hereby declare that my "self-interest" is to extend the use of mind
mapping by helping people, joining in discussions on the topic, and
providing information that allows them to choose information mapping
tools freely from the 296 listed on my site. (OK, John?)

 

[John... Visio MVP]

Sorry about that, it had been a long day and at 6:30am I made the stupid
assumption that FreeMind was available from http://www.mind-mapping.org and
then linked that back to you posting address.

I can now see that you were making a totally unbiased suggestion.

I'm sorry.

John... Visio MVP

 

[VicGee]

Gracious apology accepted. Sorry if I came over a bit on the strong
side as well.

Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

 

[John... Visio MVP]

You had every right to complain.

John... Visio MVP