i have Portal, a very interesting and cool game, however as we recently lost internet connection, and changed to another provider, my access to the game went completely down. I had to have a connection to the internet in order to play it. Hmmm.... i was very disappointed in this. The game i bought at Best Buy and thought it was great, it was 19.99, pretty reasonable, yet i still could not access it when not connected. This has made me rethink that even liking the game, it isnt worth the problem. My family has been talking about getting rid of internet all together because of the cost right now, and it is seen as a not necessary thing.
Anyway, im not sure what to do about that except to not buy valve games anymore, and then if we lose the internet, i can still play the game. Some games of course are internet games and you have to have it if you want them. But other than Everquest and when i played WOW last year i dont really play those alot.
Anyway, i agree that valve may not be the best way to go, and even though i have to have impulse to download the update, i can move it over to my machine from my parents.
Take care and Merry Christmas!!
-Teal