Visual Mind, Version 3.5

Visual Mind, Version 3.5

Organizing thoughts and ideas for trial into a coherent structure can be challenging if you are not sure how things are supposed to fit together at the outset. In brainstorming, for example, you come up with random ideas and then you try to organize them in a meaningful way.

Various “mind mapping” techniques have been developed to assist with this problem, and some software programs have come on the market that employ these techniques. One of these software programs is Visual Mind, Version 3.5, a product by Norcan Data AS of Norway.

Visual Mind provides tools to organize thoughts and ideas into a hierarchical structure, much like a genealogical pedigree chart. The genealogical analogy is reflected elsewhere in the product (e.g., branches are referred to as “children” and “siblings”).

The first screen that appears after you load the product contains two windows, one in which you build a pedigree-like map of your thoughts, and a second window in which you can make notes for each thought in the map. Starting with a single idea, you create your map by extending branches out from the root concept for up to nine levels. Branches can be expanded or collapsed for better viewing of sub-branches. You can move branches around, link them to other maps or delete them depending on your needs.

The program allows you to attach various icons onto branches (e.g., light bulb, heart, smiley face) to give you an instant visual impression of what the branch is about. You can also link branches to documents, Web sites and e-mail addresses. If you forget where a particular piece of information is on the map, the product has a handy “Find” function.

Maps you create can be sent to and accessed by others, even if that person doesn’t have the Visual Mind software. In addition, maps can be published over the Internet and accessed by others simply through a Web browser.

There is also a zoom feature that allows you to shrink or enlarge the overall map as it appears on your computer screen. While this zoom feature is useful, you might find viewing a more complex map (remember the program allows up to nine levels) a little unwieldy. This problem is a minor inconvenience, however, because there are adequate scroll bars, which allow you to easily maneuver.

Besides brainstorming, some of the other suggested uses for the product include organizing clients, organizing Web favorites, planning business trips, planning projects, taking meeting notes, outlining speeches, analyzing sales reports, making summaries and keeping track of appointments.

While many of these uses are readily available through other software products, having this capability in one product may be beneficial if you are, say, on the road and don’t have access to your desktop machine or your company network.

Is Visual Mind a useful product for the law office? I believe it can be no matter what your practice area. Litigators can use it to organize facts about a case; probate attorneys can use it to keep track of the steps necessary to administer an estate; and business attorneys can use it to keep track of the details associated with a merger and acquisition. The company offers a 30-day free trial version of the program.

Visual Mind now is combined with The MasterList (reviewed on Page 46 of this issue) in its latest version called The MasterList Visual Mind Version, released on Sept.1.

Norcan Data AS
www.visual-mind.com

+47 6242 6505 (Norway)

Price: 1 license, $99; 2 to 9 licenses, $95 each; Site licensing also is available

Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000

Reviewed by Arlin P. Neser, attorney at Gibson, Haglund & Paulsen in Irvine, Calif.

Oct/Nov '01 Issue

PROS
Simple but effective way to organize your thoughts and ideas. The program allows you to link to documents, Web pages and e-mail addresses.

CONS
Even with the zooming feature, a complex map (up to nine levels) might get a little unwieldy when trying to view it on a standard computer screen.

VERDICT
The product is excellent. It’s recommended for the attorney who needs a simple, effective way to organize thoughts and ideas.