What strategies have you used successfully to share your maps with others – especially with linear thinkers? What works? Please share your thoughts in the comments section of this blog post.

A concept tree is a powerful, visual way to leverage current ideas to generate dozens of others, and find a unique solution to your challenge. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to create one, using mind mapping software.

According to the development team at Buzan Online, version 3.1 of iMindMap will be released this week, which will contain several project management enhancements.

When it comes to unraveling a complex business challenge, sometimes it helps to get a bit of “altitude” above it – to view it from a panoramic perspective where you can see all of its components and how they relate to each other. Mind mapping software can be an excellent tool for deconstructing a challenge, analyzing its root causes and envisioning creative solutions to it.

If you’re looking for a mind mapping program that will enable you to do project management – including Gantt charts – there are only four that offer this feature: MindManager Pro 7 (utilizing JCVGantt, which Mindjet recently acquired), OpenMind 2 Business Edition, MindMapper 2008 and iMindMap 3 Ultimate. Here’s a closer look at the functionality of each one of these powerful tools.

A mind map is a terrific tool to perform a SWOT analysis, which is used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or a business venture. Here’s how to use the capabilities of your mind mapping program to create an effective SWOT map/

MindMeister is without question the most innovative of the web-based mind mapping applications available today. Its developers have taken a truly creative approach to leveraging the capabilities of this Web 2.0 tool to the maximum. Here are 8 cool things you can do with MindMeister’s unique toolset.

What does the future of mind mapping software look like? Based on the surveys I have conducted of the users of mind mapping software, plus numerous conversations with developers of visual mapping tools, here are some of the essential features and functionality that should be incorporated into tomorrow’s mind mapping software.

Zengobi Software recently launched version 5 of its Curio visual mapping and information management program for Mac OS X, which contains improvements to its mind mapping capabilities and a wealth of new project and information management tools.

Vic Gee, author of the Mind Mapping Blog, recently announced a contest that I wish I had thought of: He’s looking for BIG IDEAS that will help to drive exponential growth in the number of people doing mind mapping.