The ideal world of software mind mapping

Given that pen-and-paper mind mapping is a useful and effective idea in most cases, I want to share with you the vision of Eric Blue about the ideal world of software mind maps:

# There exists a standard mindmap format (Simple MindMap Notation?) that isn't tied to one particular product.

# This new format can be easily authored on multiple platforms (web, windows, linux, mac, and handheld devices), and can also be quickly created by average humans.

# Users can easily share their mindmaps with others, collaborate in real-time, and not be tied to a particular product (desktop or web-based).

# Users can host mindmaps themselves, and choose from a number of innovative mindmap presentation libraries that will allow them to embed their map in their website, blog, or intranet portal.

# Users can easily link their mindmaps together in a distributed fashion (no need for a central hosting provider). World-wide mind maps can grow organically, benefit from advances in the social and semantic web, and allow users to visually link, search, and share.

"Innovation is key: competition is a *good thing*, and users reap the creative benefits"