Sort of like saying that gym is useless because you did a pushup once and it didn't help.
Chess.com should have better learning tools
Sort:
you are right only premium members can access the computer analysis to identify your mistakes in a games. That is only one example of what you are talking about.
http://www.chess.com/forum/category/daily-puzzles
http://www.chess.com/chessopedia/
http://www.chess.com/analysis-board-editor
http://www.chess.com/forum/category/game-analysis
http://www.chess.com/forum/category/chess-openings
http://www.chess.com/article/view/study-plan-directory
You do get unlimited tactics trainer if you log off the site then use it as a guest, but the history, ratings and progress are off.
If you log off the site then go to the 'Chess Videos' page, there are chess videos on there done for basic members.
Chess.com dosen't have anything for free members, 3 tactics a day and oncce you keep doing all the chess mentor problems again and again you memorize the moves and the study tools don't really help you with tactics and knowing your opponents ideas with the most common checkmates.