MindMeister

MindMeister brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions.

If you don’t know what a mind map is check out this Wikipedia entry about Mind maps. Basically a mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.

Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere. In brainstorming mode, fellow MindMeisters from around the world (or just in different rooms) can simultaneously work on the same mind map - and see each other’s changes as they happen. Using integrated Skype calls, they can throw around new ideas and put them down on “paper” at the same time.

What to watch?
The brainstorming mode is what makes this application interesting. When two or more users open the same mind map at the same time you are in brainstorming mode. Every change you make - be it adding new ideas, deleting existing ones, or rearranging them within the branches - will be replicated instantly to your fellow editors’ screens via the MindMeister server. Through colour-coded effects they will see what you did and vice versa, no reload necessary. And, if you need to talk to them directly, just click on their name in the footer and start a Skype conference call. Real time brainstorming!

www.mindmeister.com