This post is the first in the series of "Tools For Multi-Site Development". I plan to write about the tools we use in our company that help us badly in the virtual world of software development. If you know better tools, feel free to share your ideas in comments.
So the first tool I would like to talk about is MindMeister - http://www.mindmeister.com/. It is tool that brings Mind Map concept into the online world. Just perfect. If you don't know what the MindMap is, here is the short intro. "Mind Maps, are an effective method of note-taking and useful for the generation of ideas by associations. To make a mind map, one starts in the center of the page with the main idea, and works outward in all directions, producing a growing and organized structure composed of key words and key images". As far as I know, it is Tony Buzan, who introduced this idea. Thank you Tony.
So what is great about MindMeister? Simple thing - now it is possible to do brainstorming over the internet. You get a bunch of guys on the Skype (later I will also cover this tool), start the conference call, then start new Mind Map, and you are ready for online brain-storming. Everybody can contribute to the Mind Map online and discuss the progress on the fly.
I have did some search on the internet to see who is behind the MindMeister service. I found the Till Volmer at LinkedIn who is stated to be running the company. Surprise-surprise, but he is also running a near-shoring outsourcing software company called Codemark. I guess we now know how he came with that idea ;)
If you have a team with at least two sites or locations. Try this out!
Good luck with offshoring-outsourcing-near-shoring-opensourceing
Mark
So the first tool I would like to talk about is MindMeister - http://www.mindmeister.com/. It is tool that brings Mind Map concept into the online world. Just perfect. If you don't know what the MindMap is, here is the short intro. "Mind Maps, are an effective method of note-taking and useful for the generation of ideas by associations. To make a mind map, one starts in the center of the page with the main idea, and works outward in all directions, producing a growing and organized structure composed of key words and key images". As far as I know, it is Tony Buzan, who introduced this idea. Thank you Tony.
So what is great about MindMeister? Simple thing - now it is possible to do brainstorming over the internet. You get a bunch of guys on the Skype (later I will also cover this tool), start the conference call, then start new Mind Map, and you are ready for online brain-storming. Everybody can contribute to the Mind Map online and discuss the progress on the fly.
I have did some search on the internet to see who is behind the MindMeister service. I found the Till Volmer at LinkedIn who is stated to be running the company. Surprise-surprise, but he is also running a near-shoring outsourcing software company called Codemark. I guess we now know how he came with that idea ;)
If you have a team with at least two sites or locations. Try this out!
Good luck with offshoring-outsourcing-near-shoring-opensourceing
Mark
Another tool that we have been using is Comapping.com which has worked surprisingly well when compared to other comparable tools. The collaboration feature is second to none. It seems like the tool was built for collaboration first and then mind mapping rather then the other way around.
Worth having a look at.
comapping.com.