you can set steam to not auto-start with windows. i only run steam when i'm playing a steam game, otherwise, i keep the program closed. i'd do that if you're having problems at startup.

Yeah, like I said, I don't open it unless absolutely necessary. It also runs it's web browser through internet explorer, and if your internet explorer has problems you don't care to fix, steam has problems too.

Awesome!!!
How do digital downloads work for you foreigners? Is it possible to somehow purchase digital copies from an American site at a lower price point or something?

Sometimes, there are a lot of regional restrictions stopping us and/or pricing differences for those of us here in Australia. And I gather a lot of Europe has this issue as well, plus they have the VAT tax and equivilent.
If we have a friend over in the US, they can 'gift' us the cheaper copy. That's our only real alternative, aside from having Amazon or someone ship it down here.

Well, call me a luddite too, but I like having a physical object to represent my spent dollars whenever possible. I ordered the Collector's Edition (the Pip-boy 3000 looks pretty sweet, but I can't justify a further 50 dollar expense for it) and I'm really looking forward to next Tuesday.

The PC version is a "Games for windows LIVE" title, so it too has the live community, achievements, etc.
[url=]http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Live/Pages/AboutLive.aspx[/url]

Pre-ordered
I won't buy our Czech version with a 'great' Czech dubbing, no way. I love Steam :D

In Poland the price is 49.99USD, which converted into PLN makes it over 150PLN (USD was like 2.3 PLN before, 2.1 at one point, now it's way closer to 3PLN). What's worse you can only play it on the 31st, which makes it pointless to buy as retail version (English+Polish patch) will sell for...99PLN. Rip-off.
Even worse, preorder is not pre-download, which means I have to download...6-7GB on the 31st? I think I will pass.

Glad I'm not the only one who hates the way they screw games with this unbelievably unprofessional dubbing in Czech Rep. Did you play Far Cry or Prince of Persia? It is really sad what they did with them.

No, I didn't have Far Cry in czech, but PoP was totally screwed by dubbing. On the other hand, my 'I-can't-speak-English' girlfriend could play it, so it wasn't completely useless

Oh you racist, mister! :-D
I also against CZ versions, but because of another. And, hell, CZ version always cost more than original versions. Hell no!
Hail to the Steam and GOG!

Well, my friend. What stops you to do the same at 28th Oct?

I cannot, Steam knows that I'm in Europe, therefore the product is only available for download on the 31st, when the game releases here.

There are 3 ways out:
1. Ask your friend or anyone else that u know in NA or SA to make a GIFT for your account.
2. Same as 1, but trought your account. U must trust this person.
3. Good, old friend of modern man - VPN.
The 3rd is my best, cuz u doing it yourself and VAT=0$.