What it does

Remember back in third grade when you learned how to make mind maps? Those diagrams that connect related thoughts by constructing a hierarchical, web-like diagram? You probably still use mind maps on a day-to-day basis without even realizing it; in your job, at home, or even just while jotting down simple notes by yourself. Wise Mapping is a new service which uses SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) technology to let you create such maps on the web and embed them in your blog or personal website so that you can share them with others. To get started, sign up (it’s quick and free). The best point of departure for a creating your first mind map would be to check out the 2-minute demo and/or use the sample editor. When you’re ready to start, you’ll have access to a similar set of features and tools as you would on Word in regards to text and color options. It’s very easy to describe and share your maps; you can imbed and tag your mind maps via the main console. The console will also keep track of your maps for you in list-form so that you can access, modify, and publish them to the web with ease. Once the maps are published, you can enable them for collaboration if you so choose. Lastly, since Wise Mapping doesn’t use Flash or any other application that requires a plug-in, you can rest assured that it will work on your system (Wise Mapping supports IE, Safari, Firefox, and Opera).

In their own words

“Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of Mind Maps mixing new technologies like vectorial languages (SVG and VML) and the power of the whole Web 2.0 concept. No pluggin required”.

Why it might be a killer

Wise Mapping transfers the utility of mind maps to your computer where you will be able to publish them and have your chosen colleagues edit them. It could be a particularly useful tool in terms of brainstorming (either professional or personal), especially if said brainstorming requires the input of others.

Some questions

Wise Mapping should do a better job of advertising the fact that their product can be enabled for collaboration; online group editing is an increasingly popular activity in the workplace today, so why not market themselves more efficiently to those who require that particular service? Nowhere on the site is this fact mentioned; it’s only briefly referenced at the end of their screencast. Wise Maps targets its service far more toward the personal user, and I’m not convinced that this is an entirely necessary application if only one person is going to be creating and editing the maps.

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