Mindjet recently launched MindManager 8, a software app that enables you to map your ideas and information visually, starting with a central topic surrounded by subtopics arranged on lines, or “branches.”

Creating new topics and subtopics is as simple as hitting the Enter or Insert key.

Following are the new features in MindManager 8:
* Transforms Mind Manger’s mindmaps into fully interactive Adobe PDFs or Flash .SWF files;
* Enables the user to view Web pages and PDF documents without leaving MindManager;
* Enables the user to view and edit attached Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint files from within MindManager’s embedded browser, eliminating the need to exit the map and launch a separate application;
* Enables the user to execute Google and Yahoo! searches from inside the Mind Manger’s mindmaps;
* Enables the user to search for contents within MindManager-created maps by using many popular desktop search applications;
* Enables the user to create automated task management scripts for project management tasks; and
* Enables the user to access real-time information from spreadsheets and popular databases into a Mind Manager mind map.

While the Mind Manger 8 is immediately available in English and German, the French and Japanese versions will be available in early 2009.

I have used Mind Manager as an visual implement for brainstorming, creating presentations, managing projects, developing plans and other task/objectives.

If you need a visual tool for brainstorming new ideas and managing your projects, I recommend Mind Manager 8.

In the future, we explore the MindManager Web. This is Mindjet’s first attempt in the Software as a Service (Saas) arena. It is immediately available in English, German, French and Japanese.