I strongly agree. Instead of having to use one application (MindMeister) for mindmaps, and another application (Google Docs Drawings, Visio) for concept maps, flowcharts, and diagrams, we need a single, multi-purpose application that does all of these. This is actually simpler to achieve than it might seem: just add "free-floating" topics that are not nodes of the central topic, and free-floating lines to connect them. Google Drawings does a great job of this. The new Webspiration mapping product (http://goo.gl/t5Xa) does it too.

Ideally, one should be able to have multiple mindmap-like central topics, as well as free-floating topics, integrated in the same mindmap with the ability to add relationships between nodes that belong to different central topics and free-floating topics. To do this elegantly, one needs the ability to flexibly format any node in the map as either a "central topic" or a "free-floating topic."

A good implementation would allow the user to link various "free-floating" topics and lines with a "snap to" feature, so when parts of the map are moved, the relationship links automatically move with them.

This would make MindMeister a fully general, universal mapping/drawing application (both mind maps and concept maps/flowcharts/diagrams in the same map).

I agree free-floating topics would greatly increase the overall usefulness of MindMeister.  

Sad that the MindMester team has not implemented this feature yet, too focused on the iPad/iPhone land grab.

Mindomo also already has this feature.  http://www.mindomo.com

tOTALLY AGREE - WHY CAN'T WE HAVE FREE FLOATING IDEAS?   

The only thing that holds me from going premium is unability to locate level 2 (counting from 0) elements in a custom place.

I think of "free-floating" nodes as a different issue than that posted by the OP, Dean.  His issue is also my issue - I'd like other "map formats" (rightward tree, downward-tree (org chart), etc.)     Oliver, can you address when that will be done?   That, to me, is easier to implement than free floating nodes.

Continually redragging nodes is tedious on the web and really painful on mobile.

Hi,

How are you doing about those "Free floating nodes"?  We are getting close to that mid 2011 availability (Actually we are pretty much in it) and I was wandering if the ETA was still before September.

Thanks =)

LucidChart (www.lucidchart.com) has free-floating nodes and is a fully general diagramming application that also includes mindmaps: http://www.lucidchart.com/pages/examples/mind_mapping_software

So it's a one-stop solution for mindmaps, flowcharts, org charts, etc.

Today was my first time looking at a MapMeister map.    Attached is a print of what came up on my screen.  I found it totally illegible.  OK, I finally figured out that I could scroll around and eventually find some content, but why put us thru such torture?

A good-sized map is not readable or printable in the "start-shape" format, especially if the mapmaker has not crammed all the nodes tightly together. Is there any way to switch to an outline-type display?

Oops; I attached the wrong screen shot to the previous post.  Sorry.  Try this one...

Great news Oliver.

I'm here just to make the "Concept Maps" request stronger. Take a look at the original CMAP concept (http://cmap.ihmc.us/) and bring it to us! =]

Thanks.

2011 will end soon, any news about this important request?

I too strongly request the ability to move concepts, the ability to have other configurations, and to have free floating concepts. Those are very important features. I find the lack of these features is one of the reasons I am not using MindMeister with my class, even though we have purchased a site license.

Thank you.

So guys, what's new on that project?  Could you give us some solid ETA?  I've started to look around for a MindMap tool that would provide me with this option and some others I like in MindMeister.  It has been a year I started with MindMeister and I still like the product better then others but I'm some time limited by the Star chart system.

Since my task and project perspective is growing with time, I'm looking for a tool that could grow with me.  I just hate to work with 2 or 3 different tools.

I've just renewed my subscription for a year with you guys so I belive in the product.

PLease, keep us posted on a more regular bassis with this project (And others).

Thanks =)