2.5 - Menus - Collections Menu
The Collections Menu contains commands that work with collection nouns (also called "collections").
What are collections?
Collections are nouns like any other noun in MindModel, but they also have special features associated with them.
Since collections are nouns, you can do anything with collections that you can do with other nouns. For example, you can add them to a model, rename them, add statements for them, delete them, etc.
Collections Are Groups
Collections are used to indicate groups. We could have called them "groups" but when most people hear the word "groups" they think of groups of people. Collections can contain people, but they can also contain other nouns types. They can even contain a variety of different noun types.
For example, let's say you're creating a model to help you get in shape. You'll use this model to keep track of the resources that can help you achieve your goal. You might make a collection called "workout inspiration".
This collection might contain the following nouns:
person: Jane Doe
song: I Will Survive
phrase: "pain is just weakness leaving my body"
This person, this song, and this phrase form a collection called "workout inspiration". As you find new things that inspire you to work out, you could add them to the collection.
Sometimes You Add Members to a Collection, Sometimes You Don't
The collection "workout inspiration" is an example of a collection whose name and members help you keep track of something.
Sometimes you'll create a collection, but you won't need to add members to the collection to express your idea.
For example, you might add a statement to your model:
person: John Doe <doesn't like> collection: people who only call me when they need something
You may or may not choose to add specific people to that collection. Sometimes just adding the collection noun to your model, and adding statements to the collection is enough.
Collections Can Also Be Used Instead of Organizations
A common use of collection nouns is when an organization noun seems too formal for a given purpose.
You'd use an organization noun for IBM, AT&T, or some other company. But if you want to express "my friends who go bowling", an organization noun isn't quite right. Your bowling friends probably don't have one address, one employer id number, etc., as organizations do. In these cases, you'll often want to use collections.
How do I add a collection to a model?
You can use the "Collections Menu: Add a Collection" feature to add a collection to a model.
Since collections are nouns, there are many other ways to add them to models. For example, you can import collections using "File Menu: Import Nouns from Excel". As with other nouns, it doesn't matter how you create them. Just use whichever feature is most convenient for you.
Click one of the Collection Menu items below for a description of the command associated with that item.
2.5 Collections Menu
2.5.1 Add a Collection
2.5.2 Find Members of a Collection
2.5.3 Find Common Members of Two Collections
2.5.4 Find the Difference Between Two Collections
2.5.5 Add All Nouns in the Nouns List to a Collection
2.5.6 Add Marked Nouns to a Collection
2.5.7 Remove All Members from a Collection
2.5.8 Remove Marked Nouns from a Collection
2.5.9 Subtract a Collection from a Collection
2.5.10 Get Help with This Menu