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Mitch Gross | Community Manager | Virtual Heroes (developers of Moonbase Alpha)

Excellent! First article I see after watching this. 2027 is only 17 years away!!! :D

RTFM: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138233

1) Bans cannot EVER be appealed.

2) Getting hacked is not a defense.

The only reason Valve took action at all in this case was because being iron-fisted and letting the bans stand would have been a PR catastrophe.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare doesn't need to be emulated, as it's already on the PC.

As console hardware becomes more and more similar to that of a desktop computer, where would the difficulty be in porting the game itself--rather than emulating the hardware it runs on--actually lie?

I understand it would rely on the source being released, or the owner of the game porting it themselves.

Here is the actual email from Gabe that was sent out:

--

Hello,

Recently, your Steam account was erroneously banned from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

This was our mistake, and I apologize for any frustration or angst it may have caused you.

The problem was that Steam would fail a signature check between the disk version of a DLL and a latent memory version. This was caused by a combination of conditions occurring while Steam was updating the disk image of a game. This wasn't a game-specific mistake. Steam allows us to manage and reverse these erroneous bans (about 12,000 erroneous bans over two weeks).

We have reversed the ban, restoring your access to the game. In addition, we have given you a free copy of Left 4 Dead 2 to give as a gift on Steam, plus a free copy for yourself if you didn't already own the game.

To share your extra copy of Left 4 Dead 2 with a friend, you can 'Manage Gifts and Guest Passes' from the 'Games' Menu in Steam, or visit this article on the Steam Support site for detailed instructions: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4502-TPJL-2656.

To access your own copy of Left 4 Dead 2, visit your library of games in Steam. If you didn't already own the game, it will now be listed among your others there, and is available for download immediately.

Regards,
Gabe Newell
President, Valve

A few I have seldom played, but don't feel bad because they only cost $10.

I can't access steamcommunity.com here, but I know I have more than 100 games on my Steam account. A lot were bought through various sales, some in packs with other games. Quite a few I wouldn't have bought otherwise.

Heck I can think of one game I've bought twice: Overlord... once standalone, once as part of the Overlord Complete Pack after the Raising Hell expansion was released on Steam. After I priced it out, it was cheaper to buy the complete pack than to buy Overlord: Raising Hell and Overlord II separately.

The kicker here is: I've never finished Overlord. I've never even started Overlord II.

I've probably played half the games on my Steam list once or never.

Valve hired the team that made the original UT2004 mod. Source.

Alien Swarm is a game and Source SDK release from a group of talented designers at Valve who were hired from the Mod community.

Or, you could simply turn off the internet reliance of steam.

I check out what's on sale on Steam on their website, see something good, boot up steam, en-able steam's internet connection, buy the game, start the game up once, then immediate set Steam to offline mode.

Though, I've heard that not every game can be played offline, the majority can.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3160-AGCB-2555

Multiplayer games however, this could work. I find: ...

Most of the MP games I've got really into have stagnated from lack of fresh content as the game gets "old". Often these games go on for years longer thanks to some good modding, though fan made maps rarely fare so well.

Strangely, Valve has combated this in Team Fortress 2, but Valve hasn't try to monetize it. The latest (11th major) update came out last week with 4 new maps, 4 new Engineer weapons, and 38 new Engineer achievements. This is the last of TF2's nine class updates. Also, fan made maps are quite popular, and some even make it into the base game distribution during updates (ctf_turbine, cp_fastlane, cp_egypt, cp_junction, arena_watchtower, pl_hoodoo, cp_frieght, and cp_coldfront are the ones I can think of).

- MP games often come out with too much content for people to get properly into, resulting in a long lead time of people being inexperienced with the levels.

TF2 only started with only 7 maps comprising 3 (4 actually) game types, and no unlockable weapons or items.

TF2 today has (if I'm counting right) 34 maps (26 Valve-created maps, 8 community-created maps) comprising 7 (8 actually) game types, 34 unlockable weapons (27 Valve-created replacement weapons, 7 community-created replacement weapons (Medic and Spy don't have any yet)), and 49 hats/misc items (30 Valve-created hats/misc items (3 per class, and 3 generic), 19 community-created hats/misc items (2 per class, but Medic has 3)). Note: I'm ignoring the 10 specialty hats/misc items and 2 reskinned weapons that aren't randomly dropped.

Valve is also planning on adding the winners of the Polycount Contest to the game... they were supposed to announce the winners sometime this week, but that announcement was subject to Valve Time.

- related to above, many people tend to pick a few favourites and just ignore other maps, even if they're still quite good. These maps may offer more value if introduced when they are adding freshness as the old favourites are getting a bit tired.

Certain maps in TF2 are disliked. tc_hydro seems like a good map on the surface, and is one of three maps that has a developer commentary. Valve clearly put a lot of effort into it. However, it is easily the most stalemate-prone map in the game, which in turn makes it unpopular.

As for the new maps, the people on the OCRTF2 servers, which I'm an admin on, have already chosen maps they like and maps they don't. For instance, plr_hightower is disliked by some... it's a relatively small map and has this tendency for one team to steam-roll the other. pl_upward seems to be well liked. cp_coldfront is a map that we already had on our servers in its release candidates (Valve adds community maps in some updates, cp_coldfront was added in this update), and it... can be good or bad, depending on the teams. pl_thundermountain, I'm not sure about as we don't seem to play it as often as the others; I thought it was interesting, though, even if the map does sometimes get stopped before it reaches the final stage.

- the high initial price puts people off because MP games are "high risk" - good balance is hard to achieve.

TF2 has the advantage of being part of the Orange Box. OB had an MSRP of $50 at launch in late 2007, and has an MSRP of $30 today. It also includes all of HL2 (original plus both episodes), Portal, and TF2. On Steam, TF2 alone sells for $20... but a boxed copy from Amazon sells for $9.99. The boxed copy needs to be registered to a

Multiplayer games however, this could work. I find: ...

Most of the MP games I've got really into have stagnated from lack of fresh content as the game gets "old". Often these games go on for years longer thanks to some good modding, though fan made maps rarely fare so well.

Strangely, Valve has combated this in Team Fortress 2, but Valve hasn't try to monetize it. The latest (11th major) update came out last week with 4 new maps, 4 new Engineer weapons, and 38 new Engineer achievements. This is the last of TF2's nine class updates. Also, fan made maps are quite popular, and some even make it into the base game distribution during updates (ctf_turbine, cp_fastlane, cp_egypt, cp_junction, arena_watchtower, pl_hoodoo, cp_frieght, and cp_coldfront are the ones I can think of).

- MP games often come out with too much content for people to get properly into, resulting in a long lead time of people being inexperienced with the levels.

TF2 only started with only 7 maps comprising 3 (4 actually) game types, and no unlockable weapons or items.

TF2 today has (if I'm counting right) 34 maps (26 Valve-created maps, 8 community-created maps) comprising 7 (8 actually) game types, 34 unlockable weapons (27 Valve-created replacement weapons, 7 community-created replacement weapons (Medic and Spy don't have any yet)), and 49 hats/misc items (30 Valve-created hats/misc items (3 per class, and 3 generic), 19 community-created hats/misc items (2 per class, but Medic has 3)). Note: I'm ignoring the 10 specialty hats/misc items and 2 reskinned weapons that aren't randomly dropped.

Valve is also planning on adding the winners of the Polycount Contest to the game... they were supposed to announce the winners sometime this week, but that announcement was subject to Valve Time.

- related to above, many people tend to pick a few favourites and just ignore other maps, even if they're still quite good. These maps may offer more value if introduced when they are adding freshness as the old favourites are getting a bit tired.

Certain maps in TF2 are disliked. tc_hydro seems like a good map on the surface, and is one of three maps that has a developer commentary. Valve clearly put a lot of effort into it. However, it is easily the most stalemate-prone map in the game, which in turn makes it unpopular.

As for the new maps, the people on the OCRTF2 servers, which I'm an admin on, have already chosen maps they like and maps they don't. For instance, plr_hightower is disliked by some... it's a relatively small map and has this tendency for one team to steam-roll the other. pl_upward seems to be well liked. cp_coldfront is a map that we already had on our servers in its release candidates (Valve adds community maps in some updates, cp_coldfront was added in this update), and it... can be good or bad, depending on the teams. pl_thundermountain, I'm not sure about as we don't seem to play it as often as the others; I thought it was interesting, though, even if the map does sometimes get stopped before it reaches the final stage.

- the high initial price puts people off because MP games are "high risk" - good balance is hard to achieve.

TF2 has the advantage of being part of the Orange Box. OB had an MSRP of $50 at launch in late 2007, and has an MSRP of $30 today. It also includes all of HL2 (original plus both episodes), Portal, and TF2. On Steam, TF2 alone sells for $20... but a boxed copy from Amazon sells for $9.99. The boxed copy needs to be registered to a

Huh. I don't think you're seeing a representative sample of the gaming community. I think the majority of gamers, even on the PC, are willing to fork over cash for DLC. (Slashdot is not a representative sample, and neither are the modding forums I frequent. Visit some Steam forums, or Fileshack, or pretty much any non-technical gaming forum, and you'll see that the overwhelming opinion is that people are willing to pay for DLC, as long as it's more elaborate than horse armor.

Oh, you'd probably like a source for this. Go here, click on top sellers. That's right, the best-selling game at the moment is the one where Activision charges suckers $15 for 5 maps. Factor in the cost of bandwidth, and that works out to be, oh, a pretty freaking good deal for Activision.

P.S. I wish you were right.

If I wanted a computer that no software ran on, I'd buy a mac.

What now?

1999 called, it wants its criticism back.

They're called "casual games". Here: http://store.steampowered.com/genre/Casual/

Personally, I like (and bought) Machinarium.

They're called "casual games". Here: http://store.steampowered.com/genre/Casual/

Personally, I like (and bought) Machinarium.

Speaking about Steam... I was no fan when it was first implemented back in 2003 but I've since warmed up to the "content delivery system" that Steam provides. I do find the system a rather slick implementation. I do like the ability to demo "block buster" games before I decide to by as was the case for me for L4D2. Though, I can't say that I'm a fan of Steams' ability to dictate hardware cycles by forcing compatibility. Steam is thus to me like a benevolent dictator

Example in point is the Source Engine build 38 patch (April 2010), which among other things made SSE2 processor instructions mandatory. Fine, I understand that for source engine-based games, but why force it onto the older hlds servers binaries for the original half-life 1 engine? Yes I understand Steam’s hardware survey shows that less than 2% of processors don’t support SSE2, and pretty soon because of this rather silent update, SSE2 will be 100% implemented, forced by virtue of the force hardware requirement.

My old system was working fine as a hlds_l linux server using a non-SSE2 chip (AMD Athalon XP +1400) for a chip now considered obsolete now a days. But for a stand-alone, stripped-down server implementation ruining a 10 year old game engine, I see no reason to force specific hardware specifications . At least leave us a non-SSE2 binary for the Linux half-life 1 engine.

Now I’m more or less force to upgrade my system at cost and my time to track down a cheap used system (via Craigslist) because of this forced hardware upgrade

Speaking about Steam... I was no fan when it was first implemented back in 2003 but I've since warmed up to the "content delivery system" that Steam provides. I do find the system a rather slick implementation. I do like the ability to demo "block buster" games before I decide to by as was the case for me for L4D2. Though, I can't say that I'm a fan of Steams' ability to dictate hardware cycles by forcing compatibility. Steam is thus to me like a benevolent dictator

Example in point is the Source Engine build 38 patch (April 2010), which among other things made SSE2 processor instructions mandatory. Fine, I understand that for source engine-based games, but why force it onto the older hlds servers binaries for the original half-life 1 engine? Yes I understand Steam’s hardware survey shows that less than 2% of processors don’t support SSE2, and pretty soon because of this rather silent update, SSE2 will be 100% implemented, forced by virtue of the force hardware requirement.

My old system was working fine as a hlds_l linux server using a non-SSE2 chip (AMD Athalon XP +1400) for a chip now considered obsolete now a days. But for a stand-alone, stripped-down server implementation ruining a 10 year old game engine, I see no reason to force specific hardware specifications . At least leave us a non-SSE2 binary for the Linux half-life 1 engine.

Now I’m more or less force to upgrade my system at cost and my time to track down a cheap used system (via Craigslist) because of this forced hardware upgrade

Steam might be a good thing for the industry if they will stop bending over for abusive companies like Ubisoft that demand that they must allow them to install abusive third party DRM. People say that Steam is enough but its sad when you still have to look up a game to see what it's DRM is before you buy a steam game.

Don't believe him. He obviously works for them.

You can lend and sell Steam games as long as you create a different account per game - at least that's what people tell me.

That's not what the Steam Subscriber Agreement says:

You are entitled to use the Steam Software for your own use, but you are not entitled to: (i) sell, grant a security interest in or transfer reproductions of the Steam Software to other parties in any way, nor to rent, lease or license the Steam Software to others without the prior written consent of Valve

and also:

When you complete Steam's registration process, you create a Steam account ("Account"). Your Account may also include billing information you provide to us for the purchase of Subscriptions. You are solely responsible for all activity on your Account and for the security of your computer system. You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account. You agree that you are personally responsible for the use of your password and Account and for all of the communication and activity on Steam that results from use of your login name and password. You may not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account.

(emphasis added by me)

I know illegal doesn't mean impossible, but that's another discussion.

while only 25 per cent would prefer digital copies. In the survey, 55 per cent of those polled said price was the key factor in determining their interest in downloading games, while 27 per cent said they wanted games available online before they were in the shops.

Case in point: Steam

You have sales. You drop your price. You advertise. People buy games that they would have skipped over in an alternate timeline. You make more sales. You make more money. Everyone wins.

Honestly, at the price point of $5.99, I wouldn't cry if I couldn't access a steam game in 4 years. If all digital downloads had sales like steam, then I bet this poll would be much different.

Also try http://www.killingfloorthegame.com/Killing Floor on http://store.steampowered.com/app/1250/Steam. I've spent way too much time preparing for the apocalypse, but I consider it an investment.

Just because you did this doesn't mean to say that you had to do it. If you look at the PC gaming stats you will see why the midrange graphics settings in games get called 'mainstream'. Only a third of people play at 1680x1050 or greater. It is because most people have fairly basic setups and they do not follow the perpetual upgrade path.

Most companies that provide prebuilt computers to consumers/home users are pushing Windows 7 64-bit over the 32-bit version afaik. And looking at the Steam Hardware Survey, assuming it represents a random sampling of PC gamers, Windows 7 64-bit is over 2x more popular than Windows 7 32-bit.

http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey

Sacred Gold & Divine Divinity

wow those look pretty shitty I already played Diablo I. if you want proper good looking infinite dungeon crawling go get Torchlight.

Perhaps start with Gary's Mod?

Get him into a FPS that has an active mod community (TF2 would be my pick, but it's far from the only option)

Or better yet, Garry's Mod + Team Fortress 2.

Granted, TF2 will likely go on sale soon... it's name in the Steam store is now "Team Fortress 2 (Mac coming soon)" and the remaining Orange Box games all went on sale the day their Mac versions went on sale... Portal was on sale for 100% off for a week and a half, while HL2/HL2Ep1/HL2Ep2 are 30% off right now.

Speaking of which, The Orange Box is $20.99 on Steam right now.

Get him into a FPS that has an active mod community (TF2 would be my pick, but it's far from the only option)

Or better yet, Garry's Mod + Team Fortress 2.

Granted, TF2 will likely go on sale soon... it's name in the Steam store is now "Team Fortress 2 (Mac coming soon)" and the remaining Orange Box games all went on sale the day their Mac versions went on sale... Portal was on sale for 100% off for a week and a half, while HL2/HL2Ep1/HL2Ep2 are 30% off right now.

Speaking of which, The Orange Box is $20.99 on Steam right now.

You do know that Macs support regular mice, right? And while their new mice only have one physical button, they're multi-touch interfaces so they arguably have more "buttons" than your standard mouse(and they recognize gestures). I'm no Apple fanboy(I have 4 PCs, although I am writing this from a MBP), but that argument hasn't been valid for years. What have you done recently that's innovative?

Oh and show me another company that gives their products away for free or constantly runs sales on their games of 50-75% off. Greedy? You can say what you want about their games, not every one likes them, but you can't call a company greedy just because they turn a profit.

I'm a little confused, the article spends a lot of time talking about how modders scorn newer games for the Source engine. How is this evolving?

I guess the author doesn't realize that the Source engine is continually evolving.

Don't believe me? Ask the Sourcemod people. There are apparently 6 versions of the Source engine currently in use in games. Here's the list of each one and which Valve games use them.

HL2 engine:
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
Counter-Strike: Source*
Half-Life: Source

Episode 1 Engine:
Half-Life 2: Episode 1

Episode 2 (formerly Orange Box) Engine**:
Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Portal

Orange Box (newer) Engine:
Team Fortress 2
Day of Defeat: Source
Counter-Strike: Source*

The Left 4 Dead Engine:
Left 4 Dead

The Left 4 Dead 2 Engine:
Left 4 Dead 2

* Counter-Strike: Source is currently transitioning from the HL2 engine to the Orange Box engine. The new version is currently in beta.
** The Orange Box engine "forked" last year when TF2 and DoD:S received updates that were incompatible with the version of the engine used by HL2:Ep2 and Portal. As I recall, this involved features that were ported back from the Left 4 Dead engine.

There are things like Prop Hunt (already mentioned), Zombie Fortress, etc... There are also frameworks for writing server mods for Source games, such as SourceMod (which in turn uses MetaMod: Source as a base). Zombie Fortress is built on top of Sourcemod.

Honestly, though, if you really want to get into modding with the Source engine, consider getting Garry's Mod. The catch is that Garry's Mod requires you to have another game on the list linked from its Steam Store page (which I can't access from work). I know Garry's Mod is also sold in several game bundles like Garry's Mod + Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike: Source + Garry's Mod. It is not part of the Valve Complete Pack, as Garry's Mod is not actually by Valve. If you are going the TF2 route, wait a few weeks as it tends to get its price slashed in half (or more) around major updates, of which one is coming soon... but that price cut is not always reflected in game bundles. Right now, half-price TF2 ($15) plus full price Garry's Mod ($10) is the same price as the bundle ($25).

In theory, if you have any valid Source game on the list I mentioned earlier, you can make a mod that just uses the base game engine. This is what Garry's Mod is, despite that it is essentially a framework for writing other mods.

The catch is that people wanting to play said mod also need to own the applicable game, or in the case of the Source engine, one game from the list.

There are things like Prop Hunt (already mentioned), Zombie Fortress, etc... There are also frameworks for writing server mods for Source games, such as SourceMod (which in turn uses MetaMod: Source as a base). Zombie Fortress is built on top of Sourcemod.

Honestly, though, if you really want to get into modding with the Source engine, consider getting Garry's Mod. The catch is that Garry's Mod requires you to have another game on the list linked from its Steam Store page (which I can't access from work). I know Garry's Mod is also sold in several game bundles like Garry's Mod + Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike: Source + Garry's Mod. It is not part of the Valve Complete Pack, as Garry's Mod is not actually by Valve. If you are going the TF2 route, wait a few weeks as it tends to get its price slashed in half (or more) around major updates, of which one is coming soon... but that price cut is not always reflected in game bundles. Right now, half-price TF2 ($15) plus full price Garry's Mod ($10) is the same price as the bundle ($25).

In theory, if you have any valid Source game on the list I mentioned earlier, you can make a mod that just uses the base game engine. This is what Garry's Mod is, despite that it is essentially a framework for writing other mods.

The catch is that people wanting to play said mod also need to own the applicable game, or in the case of the Source engine, one game from the list.

There are things like Prop Hunt (already mentioned), Zombie Fortress, etc... There are also frameworks for writing server mods for Source games, such as SourceMod (which in turn uses MetaMod: Source as a base). Zombie Fortress is built on top of Sourcemod.

Honestly, though, if you really want to get into modding with the Source engine, consider getting Garry's Mod. The catch is that Garry's Mod requires you to have another game on the list linked from its Steam Store page (which I can't access from work). I know Garry's Mod is also sold in several game bundles like Garry's Mod + Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike: Source + Garry's Mod. It is not part of the Valve Complete Pack, as Garry's Mod is not actually by Valve. If you are going the TF2 route, wait a few weeks as it tends to get its price slashed in half (or more) around major updates, of which one is coming soon... but that price cut is not always reflected in game bundles. Right now, half-price TF2 ($15) plus full price Garry's Mod ($10) is the same price as the bundle ($25).

In theory, if you have any valid Source game on the list I mentioned earlier, you can make a mod that just uses the base game engine. This is what Garry's Mod is, despite that it is essentially a framework for writing other mods.

The catch is that people wanting to play said mod also need to own the applicable game, or in the case of the Source engine, one game from the list.

Or simply get a copy of Portal, which is available for free until the 24:th.
All Source games gives you access to the Source SDK base, which includes all models and similar content from Half-Life 2. (Their wiki states that this excludes some free promo games, but I doubt the Portal one's part of it.)
Gives you access to most community mods too, as an added bonus.

The critics will be silent when (1) they can try out the service for themselves, at home, on their own connections, and (2) it doesn't suck. Until then, there will be healthy skepticism.

I'm also skeptical of how profitable the service could be, even if there was zero lag. There must be a high ratio of "subscribers" to "servers" in order to pay for the servers and make a profit. 10:1, 20:1, that sort of thing. But demand for a game is not constant. Players mostly play at the same time - in the evening (local time). This is the time when the contention ratio matters. If 9 out 10 players cannot play because all the servers are busy, then they are going to wish they'd saved their subscription money and spent it on PC upgrades.

All online services have peak usage periods, but Amazon and Google do not have a big problem with them because users can be served by any data centre anywhere in the world if necessary. In peak time, if your web page takes 50ms longer to load, you don't even notice. That's what the "cloud" is supposed to do. But OnLive can't do that. All its data centres have to be geographically close to you.

At least some games aren't the exact same game, which makes them worth the price.

Others... not so much.

Well, I went to http://store.steampowered.com/freeportal/ and clicked the huge button. Steam took over from there. That's it. (Of course now I'm waiting for that damn download to finish.)

(Yes I know this isn't what you meant.)

So I bought Torchlight to give it a whirl since it was only $10.

You didn't have to buy anything. As stated in the summary, Portal is free until May 24th.

Works just fine, perhaps it was just /.'ed. It takes you to http://store.steampowered.com/app/400. And yes, it is free until the 24th.

but I could theoretically 'give' or 'sell' my Steam account to someone else, without any hassle from Steam, so I'm not sure how histrionic we need to be.

Are you sure about that? Steam themselves say:

You may not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/400

Or you can just activate it directly from the store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gPWjiWX-Ps#t=4m12s

Ellis sums up my feelings about the current news very well by the way.

One's man 'no good reason' is another man's good reason. Provide some cases so we can judge on the merits, not your wild rantings.

Ok, Auto VAC bans which you cannot appeal come immediately to mind. Are you seriously telling me that it is your belief that this program is perfect, free of errors and never bans someone without cause? Just google around and you'll see lots of people complaining about being banned (Valve was forced to reverse some of these bans). Note that you will never know the reason your account has been taken away from you since Valve will not tell you exactly why you were banned (i.e. what program was running or even generally the reason you were banned).

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_cat.php?id=10&t=qanda#7849-RADZ-6869

Before accusing others of of "wild rantings", why don't you do a little research first?

In related Steam/DRM news: Rockstar used a cracked version of Max Payne 2 for steam retail.

I'd been looking forward to this for a while now. Having installed I find out that Steam doesn't support case-sensitive file systems.

Color me disappointed.

Their 'solution' is here:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8601-RYPX-5789

*Sighs*

Even better, free Portal for PC and Mac here: http://store.steampowered.com/freeportal/

the download page.

If you think that's crazy, Counter-Strike: Source currently has a new update in Beta... to upgrade it to the Orange Box (Team Fortress 2) engine, as well as incorporate some other miscellaneous changes from their newer games (updated Scoreboard, etc...).

Unfortunately, going by the server mailing list, CS:S will no longer work on machines without SSE2 support. This includes server machines.

Suppose I have a Kindle (or, say, one of the requisite apps on some other hardware platform), and I've bought a few books for it that I've noted and highlighted. Suppose, then, that I lose my Kindle. Or it gets run over by a bus. Or stolen. Or dunked in a hot tub. Or whatever.

All I have to do is procure/install a new Kindle, enter the appropriate account identification, and my books and notes are transferred to the new device.

Which, you must admit, is pretty cool. (Hey luddites! The cloud has uses!)

The fatal flaw in your argument is your unspoken assumption that a specific type of hardware owned by the provider is necessary to implement this scenario. I can think of three examples off the top of my head that invalidate that assumption. The first is available for MS Windows and OS/X today; Valve's Steam service.

"Ahh," you say, "That's for games, not books." True, but let's take a look at what Steam provides anyhow. There are hundreds of games from dozens of companies available through the store. The store is set up to allow an individual to purchase, download, and install any game listed on multiple PCs as long as only one login is active at any time.

The second is O'Reilly Publishing's Safari Books Online. This browser based, subscription service allows you to search through all of the online publications that O'Reilly has created. Depending upon the level of subscription that you buy, you can download immediately, or purchase access to, any publication that catches your interest.

The final example is Baen Publishing's Webscription.Net. Here you'll find books from Baen and six other publishing companies. Again, browser based so no special hardware necessary.

Although the name implies an ongoing charge to access material, no such subscription is required. Buy a book once and you can download it in several different DRM free formats. (Yes I said DRM FREE!)

Webscription keeps track of what you have already purchased, so a lost or trashed copy is no problem. Just log in and download your books again.

(BTW, Baen Publishing also hosts the Baen Free Library as a marketing tool. More than 40 authors have agreed to post some or all of their books there for free. Yes, I said FREE. DRM free, too. You don't even have to create an account to get access to all this largesse. :) Well worth browsing if you like science fiction or fantasy.)

Of the three alternate services that I've noted above, Webscription is clearly the most user friendly. What Amazon can provide that the other services can't is a much, MUCH broader range of material. That is a huge advantage and in IMO that is what is driving Kindle sales more than any other factor. (I don't mean to say that I think the hardware itself is trash. Quite the contrary.)

So, instead, please: Let's simply discuss the implications of Amazon sharing your highlights with others. (This is a matter that I really don't have any opinion on in this instance, but I guess I'll don my flamesuit anyway...)

The nub of the issue is that any vendor supplied solution inevitably means is that you're locked in to some extent. It's the nature of the beast. The question is, how much lock-in are you willing to accept in order to take advantage of the service? How much re-use of your personal information are you willing to accept?

Getting back to the immediate issue at hand: In my view, the fact that (a) it's only highlights; (b) it's anonymized; and (c) it's turned off by default makes it a pretty benign use of personal information. Frankly, if Amazon offered similar functionality as software on a platform that I already owned, I might seriously consider using it.

The real issue for me is that I have no d

If you read the forum post referenced by that Wikipedia article, you'll notice it's not a binding guarantee.

According to the Steam Subscriber Agreement, we don't buy games on Steam. We subscribe to the Steam service and purchase Subscriptions (i.e. games) via the service.

The idea that Valve would unlock non-Valve games in the event of Steam going under is madness. No publisher would agree to it; all Valve does is distribute games from other publishers under license and breaking the terms of that license in the event of bankruptcy would probably result in the directors of Valve being sued.

Of course, I'm not really concerned about this scenario. Steam is a golden goose and is run by people who understand the gaming market, all they have to do is carry on as they are and they'll continue to make megabucks and provide the service we all expect.

Although i haven't experienced it in a long time myself, 'offline mode' on Steam was notoriously picky about letting you play offline.

It was indeed (I got hurt by that, badly), but go and check the changelog of the Steam client. It has a bunch of interesting entries in it in the last few months of so, that go something like:

- Fixed offline mode not working
- Really fixed offline mode not working ...

etc. It's been some time since the last "really-really" fix, so I assume that they did nail it at last. I've used it about a month ago, and didn't run into any troubles I saw previously (like, no games launching in offline mode etc).