I support VooDoo's opinion completely, and agree with him.
I won't be trying HL2-demo, nor will I buy the full game.
This Steam stuff gets my hair up. It does things I don't want for sure and nobody knows exactly what Steam does do (except the makers). I don't like this at all. Also, there are other ways to provide the service Steam does, without the intrusive 'functionality'.
This kind of 'business' needs to be halted. If it won't be, it will get worse, bit by bit. It seems the only way (ever) to let companies know about consumer's dissatisfaction, is to not buy their product. This helps in making less profit, which companies are sensitive to.
So, too bad, no HL2. I hope others do the same.
Computers and airconditioners have one thing in common; they both stop working when you open windows