My friend and colleague Pascal is a big fan of AppRocket. He bought it and is very very satisfied with the software. For those who don't know what is does, let's say it indexes file and folder names of your choice for quick access using a few keyboard letters. For example, by default, it indexes the Start Menu. So typing "PNT" proposes a list of applications or documents to open, starting with Paint.

He convinced me to try it, and I immediately was attracted with the concept. Getting away from the dreadful mouse clicks is a benediction. But ever since installation, I was regularly frustrated with many aspects of the software. So today, I uninstalled it.

First, after installation, my Windows XP Firewall warns me AppRocket wants to listen on a port. What the...? It's a keyboard shortcut program. How come it requires listening? I sent an email to Candy Labs support, and never got any answer.

Second, the application's configuration dialog box does not display correctly when you are using a theme different from the default Windows XP "Luna" (Blue, Silver or Olive). Everytime I want to change something in the configuration, like adding a new path to index, I must switch from my CodeOpus theme to Luna, change stuff, then get back to CodeOpus. I contacted Candy Labs support again... No answer.

As if that wasn't enough, one time I opened the Control Panel's Display Settings by typing "DIS" in AppRocket (yes, it also indexes the Control Panel), then changed the theme to Luna because I wanted to add a path to index. But AppRocket crached with an unhandled exception. Hurray! They are forcing me to switch themes, then crash on me when I do!

The last nail got hit when I monitored the IP connections AppRocket was trying to make, to see why it was listening on a port. It's listening on port 9001, and up to now have no idea why. But I also noticed that what appears to be auto-update-related functionality is trying to connect to http://64.127.102.250/. If you go check the home page, it's really nothing to inspire confidance in the product's seriousness, not to count the lack of any activity on Candy Labs' site.