I love FusionDesk. I've tried a lot of Todo / Task list apps & this is easily the best to use. The reason for this is that Task creation and catagorisation is so quick, it does not get in the way of actually doing the work.

Its really easy to use and very effective in project management.

Thumbs down. I downloaded and installed this a while back. I didn't start using it until recently and then realized that it is nothing but a gimped version. They basically gave me an unlimited trial version... thanks.

Basically I have a project management software that I cannot print reports off of or export anything of value from. Great!

Lot of nice ideas. Too bad its in the AERO style. (for a person that doesn't like Vista)

Allows separate tasks within projects in an outline format. You can set reminders and set different priorities to the individual tasks. They seem to be going for a "AERO" style interface (obvious from the toolbar) - like the Vista/Live stuff from Windows. I never liked the slick AERO look so of course I don't really like the shiny look of this either. Also it syncs w/ Outlook. Wonderful idea, however I don't like/use Outlook so that means nothing to me. I'll have to look into it, but as it mentions specifically Outlook, am going to guess its not going to support TB or other email clients. Too bad... I really hate being forced to use the "dominant" client.

I gave Fusion Desk Deluxe a thumbs-down for several reasons; the first is the lack of a decent user guide and / or help file. After clicking around trying to figure it out, and visiting their website looking for more information, I found the interface neither intuitive nor simple as advertised. A pdf or html file outlining how the software is used could possibly have users working with it productively in a few minutes, but, instead, I found myself wasting too much valuable time bumbling around in trial-and-error experimentation mode.

The developers advertise the interface as "beautiful", but I think gigantic toolbar buttons hogging up desktop real estate are anything but. The only way to customize the toolbar is to turn it into a sidebar; there are no options to downsize to small icons or text-only buttons with the toolbar on top. I have my screen resolution set so high that text labels and menues in other apps are quite small, but in Fusion Desk the text is huge and ugly, (for example, the folder names on the tabs.) There are no tooltips that fly out when you point at an icon, and clicking on something to see what it does isn't necessarily edifying.

This is supposed to be project management software, but you can't organize tasks by dragging and dropping them.

Yes, I know the download was free, but it was offered for free in the hopes that positive reviews would entice new users to pay $59.95 / $89.95 for this software. I wouldn't pay $9.95 for it as it is, but the developers could do some work to make it worth $29.95.

Just for the record, here's the report with the registry keys that counterspy is complaining about after the installation of InControl

Scan History Details
Start Date: 5/23/2007 2:00:01 AM
End Date: 5/23/2007 2:53:12 AM
Total Time: 53 Min 11 Sec
Detected security risks

OverSpy Commercial Key Logger more information...
Details: OverSpy is a program that logs keystrokes of the user's PC invisibly in the background.
Status: Ignored

Registry entries detected
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1060284298-1343024091-725345543-1003\SOFTWARE\VIRTUOZA
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1060284298-1343024091-725345543-1003\SOFTWARE\VIRTUOZA\InControl
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1060284298-1343024091-725345543-1003\SOFTWARE\VIRTUOZA\InControl\BlackList

That's it. As #105 said, registry keys alone will do nothing. And in this case, it's just the name VIRTUOZA that's triggering counterspy. I went into regedit and examined the keys and all they do is hold information about the blacklist feature of the program.

I also have CA Antivirus and Avast Antispyware installed on my machine and neither one detected anything.

This is a false positive based on the name of a company that makes OverSpy being in a registry key. It's overly aggressive on Counterspy's part to flag this as a keylogger.

#96, #98, #103--let's use some common sense here. First, a registry key is not code. A keylogger requires code, a keyboard hook, a place to store keystrokes, and a way to send them (which in this case would have to be the Internet). Attempting to hook the keyboard and access the Internet (via any method) can be detected by good security software. Although I've installed and briefly executed InControl and FusionDesk, InControl is so lame that I'll probably never use it, and I haven't had time to examine FusionDesk yet. The specified registry key doesn't exist on my system, and my security software, which does rather extreme monitoring, hasn't detected any unexpected keyboard hooks or attempts to access the Internet via any method, and Internet logs don't show any unusual activity.

But let's back up a bit. If Virtuoza is trying to sell legitimate software, does it make sense for them to jeopardize their business by installing keyloggers? If they're trying to do this surreptitiously, does it make sense that they would create a key called "Spyware_KEYL_FreeKeyLog", and if that wasn't obvious enough, place it under their own company name in the registry?

It may just be that the registry key is being created by copied registry code from their OverSpy application (it's poor programming practice but not unusual for programmers to cut-and-paste source code from other applications). #96, if TrendMicro only quarantined a registry entry, and not any executables, then it seems unlikely that any keylogger code was actually installed. If you supposedly uninstalled all Virtuoza software and the key is still being re-created (after verified deletion), then that may indicate a problem. Verify that all of the Virtuoza software was actually uninstalled (make sure that any running processes for InControl were terminated prior to uninstallation). You can use Process Explorer to examine your running processes.

This may or may not be relevant to this issue: Security Response > Spyware.FreeKeylogger">Symantec.com - Security Response - Spyware.FreeKeylogger

#98, while it's unfortunate that you've had bad experiences with some of the GOTD offerings, I've previously listed free Microsoft utilities that are better than any of the commercial offerings for controlling your startup, and I won't use any software that claims to clean up, speed up, or fix Windows in any way, except for known, high-quality disk defragmenters.

To #101 Terry

Thank you for those comments - and yes, I have actually used that workaround to turn a task into an appointment in order to have an alarm allocated to it ... so I know how that works.

However I often prefer, when a number of tasks are associated with a particular project, not to have my appointment list quite so cluttered with tasks. :-) So I'll give Fusion Desk a go for those particular projects - but !ntellect is definitely a MUST have program for me, and I can't imagine transferring all that much to FD.

Like you, I've been a keen T&C and now !ntellect user for a number of years now, and am an avid fan. :-)

But thank you GOTD for the Fusion Desk program and others I've downloaded. Haven't kept all of them, but this is a great service I reckon. :-)

Finally ... I managed to answer my own question above (#65) re use of templates. In case anyone else would find the solution handy, here's what I found ..

The downloadable templates are actually zip files .. but don't have the .zip extension.

SO .. simply rename the downloaded template file by adding a .zip extension .. and presto, a usable zip file with the relevant Fusion Desk project file contained within it.

After that, it's simply a case of extracting the file to where you want to store it, and then open it in Fusion Desk.

Hope this helps a few others here too. :-)

Cheers
Sue

Many talk about Fusiondesk and Incontrol to be keyloggers and malware.

Could you guys at Viruoza Software Inc once and for all comment and clarify on this?

To #65, Sue: "in Intellect it’s not possible to link alarms to tasks". Actually, there is. In "Classic" view, you'll see the task list next to the appointment list. Simply drag the tast to the appointment pane and set the starting time ONLY, then tweak the alarm if you've got a pre-defined advanced notification setting in place. Do not set the end time if you want a visual clue that the "appointment" is really a task alarm. ;-)

Yeah, it's a great program, and it costs the same as today's GOTD offering, yet includes their own email program, which is great (saves each mail as a separate file - no more corrupt mailboxes!), or for $15 less you can get Time & Chaos 7 without their email, and it will use your default program instead.

The previous version (v5) has been released as freeware. It only offers the Classic view and doesn't have email built-in, among other differences. Used it for years before upgrading to Intellect (actual name is !ntellect).

Back to today's offering: It offers enough cool features not found in Intellect (tabs instead of groups or filters, timer, ability to specify time spent on project, etc.) so that I will give it a try and see if it's worth keeping, but right now I do tend to agree that it's a bit overpriced.

Also, rather than offering the "20% off" upgrade to pro only today, you might consider extending it for 30-60 days to today's downloaders, letting them play with Deluxe for an extended time to better convince them that they DO need the added features (or to find out that they really don't).

Now, to DL and install and see how it goes. ;-)

Terry

The only criterion for being classified as "freeware" is that the software must be made available for use for an unlimited time at no cost. The software license may impose one or more other restrictions on the type of use including personal use, individual use, non-profit use, non-commercial use, academic use, commercial use or any combination of these. For instance, the license may be "free for personal, non-commercial use." Everything created with the freeware programs can be distributed at no cost (for example graphic, documents, or sounds made by user).

There is some software which may be considered freeware, but which has limited distribution; that is, it may only be downloaded from a specific site, and cannot be redistributed. Hence, this software wouldn't be freely redistributable software. According to the basic definition, that software would be freeware; according to stricter definitions, it wouldn't be.

This is continuation with #77.
It seems some got annoyed users criticizing softwares offered for free.
The problem with anything free is that sometimes it is attached with a sting- "do not criticize".
The users of course take risk in installing any software that is not familiar.
It is all possible that one may have to reinstall windows if the software has some incompatible elements. It is possible that data can be lost. Sometimes there is security risk.
Those who install unfamiliar software take risk.
The risk taken is indeed a 'free' service.
Secondly- the feedbacks are important.
It helps them to understand user expectations.
Whenever good software is released users appreciate them.
The negative comments should be taken positively by the software makers.
One need not feel guilty of criticizing a software of its demerits just because they download it for free.

Thank you Virtuoza Software, for your generosity with this next offer on GOTD.

I have previously reviewed 'In Control' and kept it on my system (very happy with it!) and will also be keeping 'Fusion Desk Deluxe.'

My download/activation and installation was flawless on Windows XP and I find that I'm learning this software easily and eager to use it on a daily basis.

However, my husband also found the key logger named above in my registry and I too would like an explanation just to satisfy his irritation over it please. He's now threatening to uninstall both programs and wants me to do so as well. He also wants me never to download any software from your company ever again.

He's no longer interested in this website either - and I do have to wonder if GOTD really applies enough due diligence in their efforts to select their offers.

Regardless, I've downloaded a lot of wonderful software since I've been here and I have always been grateful for the money it's saved me.
~ Swan

FusionDesk Deluxe does not include any malware/spyware or any 'unwanted functionality'. This is a Spybot mistake, that has been creeping there for a long time, even if we and many of our customers reported it to them. They are also known for other wrong malware detections.

I strongly suggest you find another free alternative to it (as there are at least few around).

Kiril I am glad you said that......I was very hesitant to make this statement but here goes. The last software offering we got from Virtuoza Software was a program called InControl. It is a StartUp Manager. When I first installed it on 5/7/7 my TrendMicro, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Defender, Cyberhawk, & AWCP2 didn't find any problems, or alert me to anything. On 5/10/7 my TrendMicro detected the keylogger from Virtuoza Software (not a false-positive). On 5/11/7 TrendMicro quarantined a registry key Spyware_KEYL_FreeKeyLog from Software\Virtuoza. On 5/15/7 again TrendMicro detected & quarantined a new registry key for the same thing. During this timeperiod when I tried to log on to a billpay site or my bank TrendMicro's Suspicious Software Alarm went into alert mode & quarantined this spyware from logging me. Just to be on the safe side I used my TrendSecure Transaction Guard or my ID Vault. I am pretty sure that a StartUp Manager is not suppose to contain a keylogger. On 5/19/7 my Glary Utilities registry cleaner identified a registry key from Virtuoza Software as spyware & a keylogger. It was quarantined & deleted. Even after removing the InControl & all of the hidden extras I still had all of these issues. I use several other programs not named above to identify, remove & give me Real-Time protection from these type of things but still this is what happened to me. I would like to state that this is my personal experience with this company so I won't try any other software from them. Once bitten, twice shy. In all fairness to this company if I am wrong about this then I apologize now. I thank GOTD for their continued hard work & dedication. And I thank them for letting me express my opinion & experience. >^.^

would you who dislike the negative comments prefere we do as many and say what a great program it/these are before we even try them? That's very unfair to, but no one is complaining about the false praise.

I'd much rather read honest negative comments than false positives.

wow after i read most of the comments here, i tried the dvd ripper and does say its an unregistered version! wtf?

for those saying its still registered as of today, can you tell us what you did? and what email-ad and reg number you used?

newei, i wont be downloading this product today..

for all of you guys that are complaining about The DVD ripper being unregistered today, I have the solution. Just go into your computer's clock in the lower right hand corner, and change it so that the computer thinks that it's May 23rd, then the program is registered again. Whenever you want to rip something, just set the clock back, and put it forward again when you're done. It's that easy.

Fusion Desk is a reasonable Task manager.
It is NOT a Project Management Tool. No linking possible.
Please call it what it is - Task Manager.

@PLady100
You sure do expect a lot for your ... um ... wait a minute you aren't paying any money for this. If this is an irritant for you then don't come here. What is wrong with jumping through a couple of hoops for free software? Should the developers or GAOTD bend over backwards for you?
I haven't noticed a lack in quality lately. There were some issues yesterday that GAOTD said they are working on. Give them a break; stuff happens. In the last couple of weeks there have been some nice programs offered. And today's offer was apparently one that has been requested. I don't need it so I didn't try it out and make a determination on the quality. I agree that people don't have to offer the top of the line software and I agree that betas shouldn't be offered. VIRTUOZA said this isn't a beta.
Thanks GAOTD and thanks to the people that have provided useful comments on the tool.

#78, I had the same problem with another recent Virtuoza program offered here named InControl. Counterspy flagged it as a keylogger. It turns out that Virtuoza does have a keylogging program named OverSpy. In the case of InControl, it was a false positive. Counterspy was picking up registry entries named Virtuoza and flagging them as OverSpy. The registry entries were for InControl though.

Nice idea, but the best thing would be the phone sync thats not available in this version. Otherwise, its usefull if u dont like having post-its all over your monitor.

Always glad to see new things GAOTD.

Hello,


I downloaded and installed it and tried to run it for a while. I am starting to write a complex piece of software and I thought, hey this might help. After 2 hours of playing with it I wasn't able to do very much. The only thing I was able to do is to have it remind me to do things. My phone already does that.

I thought that the lack of a Manual or Users Guide is probably the reason why I can't take advantage of this, so I downloaded the templates and were not able to make them work. I am good at learning by example. Give me something that already works and I'll tweak it so that I understand how to use it. Well, no such luck.

I went back and read the description of the software more carefully. The problem is that they use the term 'project mismanagement's in the description and that, it is not. What it really does is allow you to add GTD's and keep track of how much time you spend on it so you can charge somebody money for the GTD, in other words, a tool for consultants.

This is not a project manager. Accomplice is a very good one (thanks to the person who posted the link). Also, Mind Mapping is another way to develop the project, but it won't help accomplishing it. I uninstalled FusionDesk and all that came with it. I am also disappointed at GAOTD for allow a company to offer a product that is not the best the company has to offer.

When you allow this, then GAOTD become a shareware outlet. Giving free versions of software that does not have all the features of the one you have to pay for has already been done. I thought this was different.

Then yesterday's fiasco. There are promises that it will be solved on Monday. We are given no information on how to prepare for the fix. Uninstall the unregistered copy? Keep it but don't run it? Are people who didn't take the GAOTD yesterday going to be allowed to get it? How can you tell the difference? I can't wait to see what Monday brings.

Thumbs down today. Sorry.

-Mario

Rant: gah, I hate people that automatically assume anything is a stupid keylogger because of a false positive. I mean, AVsoft thought google safe browser (firefox extension) was a Phishing Hook.

AV SOFTWARE IS NOT PERFECT. GET OVER IT.

Now onto my liking of the program. I like it, it has great potential with me. However unless I can make those timelog reports, this thing is going in the trash.

i have been using this tool for 15 minutes, and it seemsm fine. but i am not sure what i shoudl expect, so i cant even tell if this is a fine utility or not.

and i dont know what is the use to post a comment if i know that it will be useless the next day. so i know the DVD Ripper had a register problem at least fpr some of the users. or i know that a software given away last month is really great. what is the use of it if i cant find it here again. GOTD team shoulsd really consider re-giving away some of the softwares they had given away in the past, and also they should release a calender so that we will know when our favorite software will be available.

I could not figure out what this software is! it does not give you a complete description. There is better software out there to do that.

As I mentioned before and as #51 Candy did so too, if you wonder if this is for you then look at the company's demo of this software
http://www.fusiondesk.com/tour/
that alone should tell you something

#77 Andrew, I have enough knowledge and background to know how difficult it is to program a really nice application. I was programming in machine language 20 years ago. I know how difficult it is to produce something full proof as well as fool proof and being original and competitive with other smiliar programs.

This is however not kindergarten. One doesn't get points and a star because one colored inside the lines. This is a testing ground/advertising for software products and the companies that make them. If they suck, they suck. If they are overpriced or underachieving or bug ridden or plainly not does what they claim it does then one has every right to point it out. If you don't like it, don't read the comments.

#13- #

Fusion Desk Starter is now ALWAYS for FREE available from the publish site. Not a real ‘gift’ in my opinion…
Next time the Pro version!



Uhh... well, do they have a DELUXE version?

I too am concerned at the level of security of Virtuoza's software. The 2 that I have installed, Smart-To-Do and FusionDesk are infected with Keyloggers. This is very serious indeed.

For anyone who doesn't know, keyloggers are a type of Trojan Spyware that is used by a remote computer to record everything you type on your pc. Please can we have an answer about this as this is extremely dangerous and disconcerting.

First, this is an ok software package. It just has no use for me. It worked as it said it would.

Second. DVD ripper IS asking for registration. I tried canceling that, and now everything has a watermark.

What a waste, not a true GAOTD.

Hi. Thanks GAOTD....but, always "Free-Key-Logger" with the VIRTUOZA softs ( InControl, Smart to Do) et now : FusionDesk !!!

Explanation, please ?

Thank you.

it sucks, not worth even $10, one out of five stars

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening everybody,

Excuse me please for my angry tone this morning (#4) but I am really confused. What happens on GAOTD site? My Spybot detected a malware "Free-Key-Logger" in today's Virtuoza Software. It's a shame for me. Virtuoza is a Bulgarian software company and I am Bulgarian. Be carefull everybidy and check your PC. I'm sure there is a malware, Spybot detected it in the FusionDesk folder on my PC!

To my compatriots: Момчета, това, което искате да постигнете с Free-Key-Logger не е коректно. Потърсете други начини за постигане на успех. Наистина съжалявям, че толкова много се зарадвах на появата ви в този сайт миналия път! Вие ми давате още един повод да се срамувам от своите сънародници!

P.S. Gentlemen at Aimersoft, excuse me if I am wrong!

As someone else said - I don't recall seeing such a bunch of ungrateful people in one place.

To most of the people complaining - your 'complaints' are answered in the description of the product. READ, before you moan.

What do you want for free? FusionDesk is a good tool for what it does, which is mainly GTD and list management.

Remind me never to give any of my products away on here to you ungrateful lot.

Might be useful for some ppl, not 4me. Thanks anyway.

This is for anyone who would like to have DVD Decrypters,Rippers, Burners and even a player to play them on. You can make DVD's to watch on your Tv with any DVD player. Some of these are free and some you have to pay for. The web site is: www.antidrm.hpg.ig.com.br/ The site will give instructions on how to do it all.

I have no issue whatsoever with this app and I'm on XP2 Pro. I like very much the big buttons, the color schemes and the choice of size of font (mine is at medium). It's pretty and very visual and since I'm visual it's perfect. After dabbling with it a little, I got the gist of it. It's rather complete and all but the devs on the website lie about the real fonctionality of this app and charge way too much for what it does: it's just a to-do app. But for a program we can get here for free I'd say pick it up and try it yourself. Since I don't have Outlook I don't care about the syncronisation and all which I think is missing. This version has extras the free version does not have (and are really important when you think about it like alarms), and the pro version has functions that are for real professionals in companies that many don't need (me among them) so I think this version should please most people.

What? A free unlimited watered-down trial version? That's what this Deluxe version sounds like. Please, GOTD, true giveaways are the FULL version(i.e. pro)

Well, I think this is quite useful to get yourself organized. It took me awhile to figure things out, but once I did, I like it. I especially like the timer...just type in what you're going to get done, start the timer and see how long it takes you. Kind of a race against time. I had no trouble with the installation & registration. I have Vista, so those with Vista, it works! I like when people say if the programs work with this as then I can decide easier if I want to try it or not. Anyway, thanks to all for this! I appreciate it being free and I look forward to coming to this site every morning with excitement to see what is offered for the day.

Thanks gaotd. But what is the purpose of this thingamajig.

For a great freeware GTD "thoughts-to-deeds" manager check out http://www.thinkingrock.com.au/

For those unfamiliar with the slang: GTD is "Getting Things Done." A methodology derived from project management and to-do list work.

Thinking Rock focuses on capturing your ideas fast and turning them into "actionable" items. Try it - it's free and well supported by the company.

I have no connection to them other than being a very happy user.

# 63: press the logo to the left of the menu bar. Choose "resources" then "About FusionDesk".
# 65: I think, under the same logo, choose "Open" .... to open the template as a project.

Downloaded today, May 24th, Thursday, attempted the install, said that it had already expired and it's not quite noon CDT. What's up with this?

I downloaded and installed Fusion Desk and it does look like a handy program. Though, as others here have said, I'm not sure the cost is justified, comparing its features with other available task managers. However it has an attractive and relatively easy-to-use interface.

I actually use !ntellect by Chaos Software for all my PIM needs. A great program IMO .. :-)

But in Intellect it's not possible to link alarms to tasks, so Fusion Desk may certainly be a handy addition for me as a task manager and reminder when I'm managing specific projects. (I can see myself putting the overall projects as tasks in Intellect, but smaller breakdowns or steps into a separate project in FD)

One question though .. I have NO idea how to install the template addons (eg for GTD)! I've downloaded them, but it doesn't seem to matter where I put them on my hard drive, Fusion Desk won't recognise them! HELP!

Cheers
Sue

I downloaded Aimersoft DVD ripper later in the day yesterday. I made a copies of 2 movie previews that my co-worker tested on his iPod. I just made a few more and the program is still working and registered. Whatever changes were made to the registrations for the afternoon people worked. It's a useful product!
I'm looking forward to trying today's - we were just talking about having to move to a software like this. It probably doesn't have the features for our enterprise, but it's worth a try. Thanks!

How do we check whether this thing's registered or not.There's no 'About' to check it as far I can see.I got lucky with yesterday's thing as I d/l it quite late.There w'd be no problems if everyone offered an activation key.

#57 AMEN!!!

DVD Ripper solution will most probably be ready on Monday, please don't worry, you WILL get your chance to receive fully functional version if you were affected by the registration problem.

Slava
GAOTD

I registered DVD Ripper without a problem too yesterday, used it on a couple of movies and it worked fine, went to use it this morning and it's now unregistered. Whats going on. Either a way to reactivate it is supplied or it goes in the trash bin today.

Dang, I got the same problem for DVD ripper which they prompted me to registering the information. Hope this gotta to be fix ASAP. Looks like I aint only one!