Some observations from a Project Manager, in hopes Eldamar can improve their product:
I haven’t tried it yet, just read the online manual. It looks promising for simpler projects. I see nothing about managing task dependencies (such as Task B can’t start until Task A finishes), and nothing that says such dependencies would be maintained if related task dates are changed (Task A changes to be 2 weeks late, nothing warns you that Task B will now start two weeks later). Without this, only simple projects are possible, or you do an extreme amount of manual checking every time something needs to change. Or, you get optimistic and simply don’t allow schedule changes once the project plan has been shared (I’ve had some big client corporations insist that plans can never be allowed to change, every task must be done on time regardless of cost). The manual also doesn’t mention work calendars (holidays, shutdowns, etc.) and resource calendars (Joe is not available first week of every month), or how resources (users) can be allocated across multiple concurrent tasks.
All companies I worked for and very likely most of our clients would have trouble accepting many of the terms and conditions. This tool may be fine for organizing a neighborhood block party but nothing bigger, and anything you add to this tool to can be considered public information they can use to their benefit.
“1. Systematically retrieve data or other content from the Site to create or compile, directly or indirectly, a collection, compilation, database, or directory without written permission from us.”
— Contact information, task lists, etc., are needed even when internet is not available. Everyone involved in a project would normally compile such information for offline use.
“7. Engage in any automated use of the system, such as using scripts to send comments or messages, or using any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools.”
— Using a macro recorder to develop & run a script to collect all the project information appears to be the only way to create a local backup of project data. As a project manager, I could not let a project be delayed by something like internet being down, or Eldamar going out of business. And I also do not have time to manually explore any potential changes made by other users, and retype them in my own offline version of the data.
“9. Sell or otherwise transfer your profile.”
— It’s not uncommon for Project Managers to change jobs (get fired, leave company, change roles…). There must be a way for a new Project Manager to take over, with or without the help of the previous PM. I’m assuming that there is an ownership involved with project data, associated to the profile of the Project Manager. If someone else can take over Projects they didn’t create, then this is not an issue, BUT this raises many other issues like how the transfer is done.
“User Contributions”
I think this section is intended to cover chat rooms and forums, but sounds like it could also cover all data entered into project forms.
“The Site may … may provide you with the opportunity to create, submit, post, display, transmit, perform, publish, distribute, or broadcast content and materials to us or on the Site”
Related to these Contribution, by entering information on their site, you authorize them to use it “for any purpose”:
“By posting your Contributions to any part of the Site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to us an unrestricted, unlimited, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free, fully-paid, worldwide right, and license to host, use, copy, reproduce, disclose, sell, resell, publish, broadcast, retitle, archive, store, cache, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, transmit, excerpt (in whole or in part), and distribute such Contributions (including, without limitation, your image and voice) for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise, and to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such Contributions, and grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing. The use and distribution may occur in any media formats and through any media channels.”
And they can use your company name, logo, etc., in advertising or any other way they choose:
“This license will apply to any form, media, or technology now known or hereafter developed, and includes our use of your name, company name, and franchise name, as applicable, and any of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, and personal and commercial images you provide. You waive all moral rights in your Contributions, and you warrant that moral rights have not otherwise been asserted in your Contributions.”
But, in case they get into any legal challenges over information you provided, they say this:
“We do not assert any ownership over your Contributions. You retain full ownership of all of your Contributions and any intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights associated with your Contributions.”