I have been using a Gary Fong lightsphere for some time now, and am very pleased with the results. Sure, there are other defusers avaliable, some cheep, and others not so cheep. And sure, it will not cure "all" lighting conditions, but I concider it a valuable addition to my tool box. My only problem with it is keeping it attached to some of my flashes. Not a real problem and can be fixed with a bit of gaffer tape. The only regret I have is that I didn't get the collapsable model,(takes up less space in my bag.

It does what it's claimed to do... eliminate shadows and create a flat pleasing light. Sometimes I use it with the metal cap that has a rear shield that slips down into the diffuser so most all the flash power is focused forward instead of up and back. I have to say though that any other slip on nylon diffuser should achieve similar results and Fong's products are awfully expensive for a minor advantage.

I totally agree that you can achieve good results with other less expensive gadgets. However, as you state above, we see comments from people using many items in their own creative ways therefore; running into a lot of problems.
This is most common when purchasing cameras requiring a higher learning curve requiring a lot of practice and a lot manual reading. Unfortunately, many people don't and of course they blame it on the equipment or their manufactures rather than stopping and reflecting that they have purchased an item that requires more of their time before getting the expected results.

I've actually seen idiots on the Internet complaining that when they put a Fong diffuser on their flash and point the flash head directly at the subject that it doesn't do anything beneficial. Of course not... the thick flat cap is supposed to point up at the ceiling or to the side with the thin curved canister side facing the subject! The goal is to create a diffused ball of light that is somewhat omnidirectional instead of a straight beam blast.

Not really,,,I'm not slamming the product, but I'm not endorsing it either. Everyone claims their gizmo works best. Like I said, anything is better than direct flash. It's just not something I use.

Free is a lot better less expensive. Gathering dust for so long is turnes yellow would suggest it's not been used much. With that resume, it's hard to undersand how an answer to the original question could even be attempted.