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.