MindMeister

== = = =**Mindmeister - Introduced**=

Mindmeister is a collaborative Web 2.0 tool that can be used to create mind / concept maps. You can create and save concept maps in Mindmeister and export them to your personal computer. You can also invite others to view only or fully collaborate in real time on the web to brain storm and contribute ideas to the mind map. Mindmeister is integrated with Skype, instant messaging services, and VoIP chat that can be used in real time while working with your concept map. Mindmeister is Free and upgrades can be purchased. Mindmeister applications are available for the I-Pad and I-Phone.

=**Mindmeister – Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats**= Mind Maps or Concept Maps are a creative way to structure and build ideas and information visually to show connections and relationships. This type of mapping is widely used in education. With the advent of Web 2 tools, students, educators, businesses, and organizations can use Mind mapping tools to collaborate on line in real time no matter where they are physically located simply by using the internet. Mind maps are considered useful with visual learner and learners with dyslexia. Mind mapping tools also provide an avenue to access the subconscious mind in order to find novel solutions to problems in the business and organizational environment. The American Association of School Librarians awarded Mindmeister with the 25 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning Award in 2009. The Mindmeister website has a page devoted to Security. @http://www.mindmeister.com/content/security According to the Mindmeister web site, they provide 99.9% uptime on paid accounts. Mindmeister servers are housed in Tier III Facilities. This Tier system was developed by Uptime Institute to ensure data centers are managed for uninterrupted time periods. The institute uses meetings, tours, benchmarking, best practices, uptime effectiveness metrics, and incident and trend analysis to set levels of the tier system.

Marc Orchant reported in a February 2007 Blog that Mindmeister was in Beta testing and there were problems with importing the maps to other applications. Fast forward to 2010 and there were multiple complaints posted on-line by users describing bugs, loosing data, and crashes when trying to use Mindmeister in the I-Phone and I-Pad. Mindmeister has it’s own Blog and requests users to post feedback on any problems they are having with compatibility and new applications.

=Mindmeister - Opportunities and Possible Uses= This Web 2.0 tool provides an opportunity for real time collaboration to stimulate critical thinking, reflection, and creativity in solving problems and explaining complicated concepts. Mind maps can be used for brainstorming, displaying projects, presentations, problem based learning, managing projects, and visually describing connections and relationships. While it is widely used in educational classrooms, it would also be useful for continuing education, workforce development, and business and organizational planning. = Example: = = = =  = =**Reference:**= Hollauf, M. & Vollmer, T. (2010). //Mindmeister.// Meisterlabs: GmbH Germany Retrieved on October 18, 2010 from @http://www.mindmeister.com/ Turner, W.P.; Seader, J.H. & Brill, K.G. (n.d.). The Uptime Institute, Inc. Site Infrastructure White Paper. //Industry Standard Tier Classifications Define Site Infrastructure Performance.// Retrieved on October 18, 2010 from @http://www.dntp.com/news/pdfs/Data%20Center%20Tier_Classification.pdf Orchant, M. (Feb. 21, 2007). //MindMeister-Collaborative web-based mind mapping.// ZD Net. Office Evolution. Guest Bloggers. Retrieved on October 18, 2010 from @http://www.zdnet.com/blog/orchant/mindmeister-collaborative-web-based-mind-mapping/358 //Uptime Institute// The Global Data Center Authority. Retrieved on October 18, 2010 from @http://uptimeinstitute.org/