MindMeister 2.0 launches with numerous enhancements

Developer Codemart GmbH announced the launch of MindMeister 2.0 yesterday. MindMeister has been one of the most popular web-based mind mapping tools since its introduction in 2007. This new version of the application includes many new features, plus a new Team Edition. Here’s a summary of what’s new in MindMeister 2.0:

• Task support: Topics can now contain task information, such as priority and percentage complete.
• File attachments: Premium users of MindMeister can attach files to map topics.
• WunderLink performs a Yahoo search and inserts the number one search result in your map. Why would you want this? It could be a terrific way to bring new creative stimuli into your mind map – sort of an idea catalyst – cool!
• WunderNote performs FreeBase (a competitor to Wikipedia in the collective human knowledge space) look-ups based on the name of the currently selected topic, and inserts the results in a topic note.
• Sub-sharing for maps: People you have approved to collaborate on a map can now invite others to edit it. Of course, this is an option you can turn off if you’re not comfortable with it!
• Formatting and navigation enhancements: You can now apply text styles selectively to child ideas. MindMeister 2.0 now offers improved formatting of first level branches, and the ability to expand and collapse map levels.
• Note and link enhancements: The notes editor is now larger, and offers more text formatting options. MindMeister 2.0 adds a links widget in the sidebar, plus a "Show popular links" command for more idea stimulation.

The Team Edition of MindMeister, previously available as a web service, also gains some new features. For example, you can brand the login page with your corporate logo. You can also access your team’s MindMeister workspace through a branded subdomain (such as acmecompany.mindmeister.com). You can also import your team list into MindMeister Team Edition using a CSV file, which should help you to get your team collaborating faster than ever with this robust, web-based mapping tool.

I can see that I’m going to need to spend some serious time with MindMeister 2.0 to find out how all of this cool new stuff works. I’ll let you know what I think of it some time next week, I hope!