Hello,
I currently do the majority of my gaming via Steam, however,
I would prefer to use a platform such as GOG where I control my game content and can't be cut off from it if Steam decides to insist on making me sign back in after a couple of days off no internet access, which happens more often than I'd like. I'm starting to think Steam have coded it so that if you do not sign in via the internet every 4 or 5 days it automatically locks you out until you do so again, but who knows maybe it's just my bad luck that this has happened the last 3 times I've had no internet for any meaningful length of time.

Anyway,
The point is, as I said I'd prefer to start getting my games via the DRM free GOG platform but here's the problem I have with GOG at the moment.

Galaxy is not user friendly.
As an example I booted up GOG today and went to the store to look for a game,
After spending a minute or two browsing the front page I started looking for a window to write the games name in but I can't find one.

It's certainly not as obvious as it should be, I tried using the window over on the left side of the store page but that's for searching the games I already own, so after a couple more minutes of trying to find a way to do it on the front store page I give up and move on.

It's not the only issue either, With Steam I enjoy the Steam achievements feature and it is one of the main reasons I predominantly use Steam, When I heard GOG was getting a similar feature I was pleased however this is also more complicated to use or browse over than it should be.

GOG is currently my smallest game provider of 4 I use with the other 3 being Steam, U-play & Origin.

Of those 4 GOG is the one I'd prefer to use but you don't make it easy to choose you, So please fix up the UI to make the store easier to use and the features more prominent.

Ease of use is the key and it is the reason GOG isn't my first choice,

I can't imagine I'm unique in this way so please fix up the kinks in Galaxy so we can all get on board.

All the best
David.E

How did you manage to get vertical boxes instead of horizontal boxes?

If I understand correctly, you'd want to type into a text field, or it is sometimes called a "search box". There definitely is not one on the main page. Instead within Galaxy choose "BROWSE GAMES" from the "STORE" menu. That goes to the full listing of games, 50 games at a time. It immediately starts with the cursor in the search box, not far from the top left, ready for typing.

Also, at the bottom of the page is the page number and total number of pages, which at first will be page 1 of 40 (at this moment in time). The page number itself can be edited, so you can just select that and type a different number not more than the total number pages to immediately jump to that page.

All of that is essentially the same way to use the GOG website, too, because they're essentially the same pages. (Just in case you decide to use the website instead.)

Don't forget, "Galaxy is optional".

And is a much newer client than steam is.

Adalia Fundamentals.

First of all: Welcome... I see you have your account since 2014, so you're no total newbie ;-)

I just wish you would have come to the forums before they were infested with trolls, griefers and scammers. Used to be a really nice place here - almost like family.

Concerning your problems:

If you search in the left-top box, there is an option "search in store" which automatically switches to the store page and passes your search terms on.

Regarding achievements - a few games support achievements in Galaxy, a lot don't. It all depends on the developers. In the store page there is a filter called "features" where you can narrow down your search for said games.

Me personally I use Galaxy, but only as game launcher/installer/updater. Sometimes chat. I prefer to "do business" via the normal website. If you use this, there are several user-scripts (Adalia fundamentals, Barefoot essentials) that greatly enhance the user experience in my opinion.

For a really thorough search of the site I recommend MaGOG - it looks a bit complicated at first, but it's really a powerful tool - for instance listing when games were discounted and by how much.

How the overall usability is compared to other sites/clients I couldn't say, because I only buy DRM free. I guess much depends on what you're used to. Galaxy/GOG is at least much more comfortable than downloading the DRM free games from Humble ;-)

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've been here a while and know my way around.

Is the higher pricing of games on gog an issue for you ?

If yes, then steam is the only solution.

If no, you are better off with gog. No DRM bullshit here.

What's this then, another strange out of the blue post stating how galaxy has made the wold of gaming accessible to the wide world. I cant think how convenient this or the various other versions of it are.

Thanks.

the link is tagged wrong so it does not work ;)

This is really a matter of needing to learn something new aka how to use GOG which isn't Steam. Pretty much all the problems you list aren't really problems, it's just a matter of learning how to accomplish these things on GOG/Galaxy. The search bar under the GOG COM logo, is universal... it works for both games you own and games in the store. If you type a game you are looking for regardless of if you own it or not you will see a link under the bar for "search in store". You can also hover over STORE -> BROWSE and there is another search bar here (like you find on the site) and a butch of filters to customize what you are looking for. Go to STORE -> BROWSE and then look at the filters, there is one labeled FEATURES. Here you can select achievements and this will show all games with achievements. You can also do the same from LIBRARY. I find GOG's filters to be much more useful than Steam, as you can do things such as searching by OS on games you own. On Steam you can only tell what games that you own work on a particular OS by being on it.

Not really!
Just wait for a sale, if the price is too high for your pockets.
Nowadays pretty much everyone has a backlog with games accumulated over the years, so it's nor like you gonna die of boredom waiting for a sale.
If you're one of the exceptions, you can waste time in different hobbies, it's not hell.
Steam is not the only solution for this 'problem'.

use a browser and Adalia Fundamentals and Barefoot Essentials to make a costum gog.
buy games like dragon age origins that already have achivements inside (you don't need a client to get achivements).
profit.