with an 56k modem im not a big fan of steam.
The instant patching and so is nice, but what are you
doing if your reinstall HL2? download the patch again?
yesterday Steam patched my HL2 (boxed 1 DVD version)
and i cant found the patch offline for later use (ie. new reinstall).
I have to look at the /valve root to see whats new and what
i can backup maybe. The days are over where u installed
a game, typed in the CD key and GO!
and btw. there will be an HL2DM Mod, another company is
working on it, and valve will create 2 or 3 DM maps too.
R
Gh0stFT