Scapple

Posted by Dr Andus
Nov 27, 2012 at 05:14 PM

Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
Do you also find VUE faster and more responsive?

Definitely, if you’re referring to launching it. CmapTools takes a long time to launch. However, I never had problems with CmapTools being slow in the concept-mapping process itself.

>I use CMap Tools only for diagrams that are to be presented. There’s a
>simple workaround for the question marks in arrows (just drag them under
>the topic) so that doesn’t bother me.

Sure, but that’s a loss of momentum when it comes to concept-mapping as brainstorming, which needs to be as hassle-free and fast as possible.

>But like Daly, at the first stages I have found nothing better than pen
>and paper, especially when I collaborate with others. The PC is too much
>of an attention grabber to let me focus on the conversation.

I thought that in the past but VUE is already very quick if you use the “rapid prototyping” mode and if you figure out its minor quirks such as what to click on or not to click on to avoid unnecessary nodes being created.

The reason I switched from paper and colour pencil/pens is because 1) VUE can be almost as quick if not quicker (if you use a text expander), 2) you have unlimited space (not the case with paper), and perhaps most importantly 3) you can more easily find and organise them on a PC, then free floating pieces of paper or notebooks in a messy office. I say that as someone who has an A3 size artist sketchpad and a box of 120 Faber-Castell colour pencils :)