Mind mapping applications – particularly those that are web-based – offer some awesome potential for large-scale, real-time collaboration. Here are two stories from Spinscape that illustrate what’s already possible.

CS Odessa, the developer of ConceptDraw MINDMAP, recently announced the availability of a free extension for Google Wave, ConceptDraw MindWave, that enables users to create visual maps within Google’s exciting new collaborative environment. This neat tool brings an important visual element to collaboration within Google Wave, which is almost 100% text based.

Mind mapping software provides tremendous value teams, helping them to projects along with great efficiency. Its value extends beyond the obvious applications like group brainstorming and project management into other valuable applications like knowledge management and consensus building/decision-making.

A number of recent developments have convinced me that 2009 is the year in which mind mapping software will break into the mainstream as a widely accepted business productivity tool. It has reached an “inflection point” where we will see more rapid growth than ever before. Here are the factors that I believe will drive this rapid growth.

What types of mind maps do you typically share with your colleagues? In what formats and why? Please share your opinions!

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.

Inspiration Software , the developer of the well-respected and widely used mind mapping program Inspiration, has just released the beta of a web-based version of its flagship product. Dubbed Webspiration, it does an admirable job of translating the well-designed Inspiration user interface to the web, while adding collaboration capabilities.

According to C.J. Cornell, writing in the latest issue of Mindjet’s newsletter, the developer’s new Connect collaborative workspace tool is likely to have a bigger impact than most people realize.