Comments on: Curio: Organized Brainstorming http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/ Mac Apps, Reviews, Previews, Interviews, and Giveaways. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:15:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Mike http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-22611 Mike Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:01:31 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-22611 Good write up for Curio - I am now using version 4.1. One thing to note is that this is not just a mind mapper. In my work I have to use Windows and use Microsoft's OneNote product to help me with research, organise my notes and be a scratchpad when on endless conference calls. I was looking for a Mac equivalent for home. There are offerings like Circus Ponies and the like - but for me Curio ticked the right boxes - instant lists, snippets plus, of course, the mind mapping built in means that it is a one stop shop for my organisation needs but doesn't limit me to just lists like some other products. I'm just one happy user of a damn useful tool for my Mac Good write up for Curio – I am now using version 4.1. One thing to note is that this is not just a mind mapper. In my work I have to use Windows and use Microsoft’s OneNote product to help me with research, organise my notes and be a scratchpad when on endless conference calls.

I was looking for a Mac equivalent for home. There are offerings like Circus Ponies and the like – but for me Curio ticked the right boxes – instant lists, snippets plus, of course, the mind mapping built in means that it is a one stop shop for my organisation needs but doesn’t limit me to just lists like some other products.

I’m just one happy user of a damn useful tool for my Mac

]]> By: Cheryl http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-22596 Cheryl Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:31:52 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-22596 Happy to see the write-up on Curio (I'm just now downloading the new upgrade to v 4.1). The price is not cheap, but I've found it a great app -- and I haven't even used the mind-mapping much as yet. I use it for collecting bits, pieces, swatches, images, etc. on open or proposed projects. It's very easy to add to and I get a fast overview of all my material. After having tried a good many solutions and looking at most of the others commonly mentioned, I found this worked best for me. Not affiliated; just a happy customer. Happy to see the write-up on Curio (I’m just now downloading the new upgrade to v 4.1). The price is not cheap, but I’ve found it a great app — and I haven’t even used the mind-mapping much as yet.

I use it for collecting bits, pieces, swatches, images, etc. on open or proposed projects. It’s very easy to add to and I get a fast overview of all my material. After having tried a good many solutions and looking at most of the others commonly mentioned, I found this worked best for me. Not affiliated; just a happy customer.

]]> By: Vic http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-19183 Vic Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:39:18 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-19183 Jennifer, Curio is Mac only, yes. Hard to answer about how long for a 5 page presentation with no idea of the content. My rule of thumb for formal talks (not off-the-cuff) is at least 8 x the talk time to prepare the material, assuming I know it and there's no research involved, plus rehearsal time. But that's just me... Regards Vic http://www.mind-mapping.org The master list of mind mapping & information management software Jennifer,

Curio is Mac only, yes.

Hard to answer about how long for a 5 page presentation with no idea of the content.

My rule of thumb for formal talks (not off-the-cuff) is at least 8 x the talk time to prepare the material, assuming I know it and there’s no research involved, plus rehearsal time. But that’s just me…

Regards
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

]]> By: Jennifer Goddard http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-19178 Jennifer Goddard Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:35:11 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-19178 Is Curio for Mac only.. I like using imindmap (java based so it works on macs and pc's) but it is a bit slow for quick thinking. how long would it take to put a 5 page presentation together? anyone know? cheers Jennifer Is Curio for Mac only..

I like using imindmap (java based so it works on macs and pc’s) but it is a bit slow for quick thinking.

how long would it take to put a 5 page presentation together? anyone know?

cheers

Jennifer

]]> By: Vic http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18902 Vic Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:13:50 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18902 For those concerned about price, there are many web-based alternatives to MindMeister. These are the ones I know of: bubbl.us, comapping.com, glinkr.net, mindmaps.kayuda.com, mapio.com, mapul.com, mind42.com, mindomo.com, wisemapping.com, webofweb.net. Some are completely free, most are free if you keep your usage down to just a few maps, and have a subscription option for heavier use. The major thing about these is that they are OS-independent and make it much easier to share maps and collaborate than desktop software. Regards Vic http://www.mind-mapping.org The master list of mind mapping & information management software For those concerned about price, there are many web-based alternatives to MindMeister. These are the ones I know of: bubbl.us, comapping.com, glinkr.net, mindmaps.kayuda.com, mapio.com, mapul.com, mind42.com, mindomo.com, wisemapping.com, webofweb.net.

Some are completely free, most are free if you keep your usage down to just a few maps, and have a subscription option for heavier use.

The major thing about these is that they are OS-independent and make it much easier to share maps and collaborate than desktop software.

Regards
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software

]]> By: Curio: Organized Brainstorming | MacApper | Scholastici.us http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18858 Curio: Organized Brainstorming | MacApper | Scholastici.us Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:39:49 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18858 [...] Curio: Organized Brainstorming | MacApper Curio's developers, Zengobi, Inc., did an excellent job of creating a functional mind mapping program while still letting the user be creative. Curio has several features that make it rise above other mind mapping apps. Curio allows you to create several “Idea Spaces in one window. An idea space is a blank page where you can build your maps, lists, etc. Curio allows you to Ëœpaint' your background with patterns and images such as cork-boards, paper, and even your desktop backgrounds. [...] [...] Curio: Organized Brainstorming | MacApper Curio's developers, Zengobi, Inc., did an excellent job of creating a functional mind mapping program while still letting the user be creative. Curio has several features that make it rise above other mind mapping apps. Curio allows you to create several “Idea Spaces in one window. An idea space is a blank page where you can build your maps, lists, etc. Curio allows you to Ëœpaint' your background with patterns and images such as cork-boards, paper, and even your desktop backgrounds. [...]

]]> By: DarylF2 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18852 DarylF2 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:19:34 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18852 I did a HUGE amount of research a while back to find my perfect organizationa;/research tool. I ended up with 3 main products.... I use Circus Ponies Notebook for temporary type stuff: ToDo lists, shopping lists, and quick notes, as well as "light" stuff like notes for games. I use DEVONthink Pro for more serious stuff that I want to keep long-term and that need to search and cross-reference (few programs are even in the same league as DEVONthink Pro when it comes to searching and cross-referencing). I use Curio Pro for brainstorming, prototyping, and general project development (I'm a software developer and do a lot of GUI and OpenGL graphics work). It's a shame that I couldn't find one app to do it all, but I'm really happy with these three packages. All three are fast and stable, and have strengths that facilitate and simplify the specific set of tasks to which I put them. I also am playing with using iGTD as a task manager. Also, for really serious outlining I use OmniOutliner Pro and for serious flow-charting and similar object-based graphics I use OmniGraffle Pro. As far as cost, Curio isn't cheap, but it is well worth the cost in my opinion. Remember that Apple is pretty much guaranteed HUGE sales of OS X, and can subsidize iLife and iWork prices to help push Macs. Small independent companies like Zengobi can't do that. I'm not affiliated with any of these products except as a satisfied user. I did a HUGE amount of research a while back to find my perfect organizationa;/research tool. I ended up with 3 main products…. I use Circus Ponies Notebook for temporary type stuff: ToDo lists, shopping lists, and quick notes, as well as “light” stuff like notes for games. I use DEVONthink Pro for more serious stuff that I want to keep long-term and that need to search and cross-reference (few programs are even in the same league as DEVONthink Pro when it comes to searching and cross-referencing). I use Curio Pro for brainstorming, prototyping, and general project development (I’m a software developer and do a lot of GUI and OpenGL graphics work). It's a shame that I couldn’t find one app to do it all, but I’m really happy with these three packages. All three are fast and stable, and have strengths that facilitate and simplify the specific set of tasks to which I put them.

I also am playing with using iGTD as a task manager. Also, for really serious outlining I use OmniOutliner Pro and for serious flow-charting and similar object-based graphics I use OmniGraffle Pro.

As far as cost, Curio isn’t cheap, but it is well worth the cost in my opinion. Remember that Apple is pretty much guaranteed HUGE sales of OS X, and can subsidize iLife and iWork prices to help push Macs. Small independent companies like Zengobi can’t do that.

I’m not affiliated with any of these products except as a satisfied user.

]]> By: Morgan http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18848 Morgan Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:18:55 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18848 Just to clarify - I am not affiliated with the company in any way, other than being a use of the software. Also, mind mapping was introduced in version 4 (most recent version). It does to more than mindmapping, so I hope people don't get the idea that it is a mind mapping only program. In Version 3, I typically would mind map in another program and paste those maps (with link back) into my Curio idea space that would contain various notes, maps, PDF files, etc. All placed together on a topic. Just to clarify – I am not affiliated with the company in any way, other than being a use of the software.

Also, mind mapping was introduced in version 4 (most recent version). It does to more than mindmapping, so I hope people don’t get the idea that it is a mind mapping only program.

In Version 3, I typically would mind map in another program and paste those maps (with link back) into my Curio idea space that would contain various notes, maps, PDF files, etc. All placed together on a topic.

]]> By: jc http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18830 jc Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:56:30 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18830 What's with the prices of these recent software releases? They are way too expensive for what they do. iWork cost $79, Leopard will cost $109 at Amazon, yet for these interesting yet tertiary applications reviewed here recently the prices seem steep for what they delver relative to Apple's big software releases. $99 for a mind mapping application? c'mon. And being a Mac user, I'm not even all that price sensitive, but the price/value seem way out of whack for most of the recently reviewed application on MacApper lately. I can understand Photoshops prices and Office, but these other developers need to do a little more pricing work before launch. What’s with the prices of these recent software releases? They are way too expensive for what they do. iWork cost $79, Leopard will cost $109 at Amazon, yet for these interesting yet tertiary applications reviewed here recently the prices seem steep for what they delver relative to Apple’s big software releases. $99 for a mind mapping application? c’mon. And being a Mac user, I’m not even all that price sensitive, but the price/value seem way out of whack for most of the recently reviewed application on MacApper lately. I can understand Photoshops prices and Office, but these other developers need to do a little more pricing work before launch.

]]> By: soho http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18823 soho Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:36:06 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18823 There is a by far more useful (and less pricy) offering _for students_: mindmeister.com. It allows collaborative working on a mindmap without the limitation of being Mac-only. In my opinion, 69$ for a mind-mapping software cannot be targeted at students, when you consider the fact that people already might have Omnigraffle, and iWork '08, which is quite another beast, costs the same. Contrary to the posters before, I'm NOT affiliated with the tool I write about There is a by far more useful (and less pricy) offering _for students_: mindmeister.com. It allows collaborative working on a mindmap without the limitation of being Mac-only.

In my opinion, 69$ for a mind-mapping software cannot be targeted at students, when you consider the fact that people already might have Omnigraffle, and iWork ’08, which is quite another beast, costs the same.

Contrary to the posters before, I’m NOT affiliated with the tool I write about

]]> By: Morgan http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18819 Morgan Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:06:37 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18819 I'm a Curio user - mainly for school. Definitely a great visual organizer program with many nice touches that I find "just work" when I need them. The flexibiity of the software and the ability to make each idea space have a "feel" to it, helps in the remembering of the content. One of the great features for me is linkback -- I can embed and update Omnigraffle files very easily and as I use that program for the more detailed models, etc - it is a great fit. Curio 4 is a great update to Curio 3, which was already very good. I’m a Curio user – mainly for school.

Definitely a great visual organizer program with many nice touches that I find “just work” when I need them.

The flexibiity of the software and the ability to make each idea space have a “feel” to it, helps in the remembering of the content.

One of the great features for me is linkback — I can embed and update Omnigraffle files very easily and as I use that program for the more detailed models, etc – it is a great fit.

Curio 4 is a great update to Curio 3, which was already very good.

]]> By: Greg Casey http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18811 Greg Casey Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:55:16 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18811 Hi guys, Thanks for the terrific review of Curio. I wanted to clarify for your readers that we DO offer academic discounts to students and teachers. So a college student can pick up the Pro version of Curio for only $69. Hopefully, that's not too steep! Thanks again for the great write-up!! Best regards, Greg Hi guys,

Thanks for the terrific review of Curio. I wanted to clarify for your readers that we DO offer academic discounts to students and teachers. So a college student can pick up the Pro version of Curio for only $69. Hopefully, that’s not too steep!

Thanks again for the great write-up!!

Best regards,
Greg

]]> By: George Browning http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/comment-page-1/#comment-18807 George Browning Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:52:54 +0000 http://macapper.com/2007/10/21/curio-organized-brainstorming/#comment-18807 Thanks for the awesome write-up! One quick note: academic discounts to students and professors are available via our online store. The academic price for Curio Pro is just $69. Academic upgrades from Curio 3 are just $39. More info at http://www.zengobi.com/academicStore. Thanks for the awesome write-up! One quick note: academic discounts to students and professors are available via our online store. The academic price for Curio Pro is just $69. Academic upgrades from Curio 3 are just $39. More info at http://www.zengobi.com/academicStore.

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