So, I'm new to GOG, but certainly not a new GOG fan. I've been following the service for several months and have been impressed by the community, selection, and quality of GOG. Because GOG deals in classic games, not new releases, what are the thoughts of the community when it comes to buying new titles? I tend to buy either from online retail (Amazon and Newegg have good prices for PC titles, and free shipping) or digital distribution. However, I've come to realize that the digital distribution platforms are very different.
Steam, while popular, shackles users to its annoying DRM client (the Steam client). Direct2Drive, while convenient, forces an additional activation which has caused me problems in the past. Impulse, while still a bit lacking in features, seems to be the best. They are very generous with their refund policy, they have great download rates, and they do not force users to run a client in order to play games. Apparently, an update to Impulse is coming next week that will add a lot of new features, such as an improved UI, a new store, community features (friends, chat, etc.) and a special "Ready to Play" system that allows users to seek out similar players for any game, any time.
So, what are your thoughts?

Aside from GOG, I generally prefer getting a physical copy of games (and ones without any kind of activation), and typically order through Amazon. I'll occasionally buy games through Impulse or Direct2Drive (haven't had any problems with either), but I tend to only buy games through these services if the game is under $20, and if I don't foresee myself wanting to play the game again in several years time (I basically regard these as rentals of indeterminate length, so basically only make purchases that I wouldn't be heartbroken over losing at some point in the future). Steam isn't something I touch at all, as it phones home way too often for my tastes, and basically is too much like software as a service.

I use GOG for its abilities to give me games I have never played and Steam for more modern games. Might use D2D, but not sure yet.

New titles are usually just retail (games are cheap where I live... most of the time) or Steam if I feel like contributing to Gabe Newell's Hot Pockets fund. Impulse, D2D, I use occasionally if they have decent deals. Overall it's usually retail unless it's really really cheap online.
I also use this small outfit, run by a bunch of Eastern Europeans (so you know it's good). It's called G... O... something. They sell old games for the PC! Who'd ever think of that?

I think they are Canadian since I checked the WOT ratings and the server is in Canada.

Seeing that buying retail for me requires a lengthy (and costly) train journey up to Tokyo and once there the selection is slim (especially for PC games now seeing as the import shops have drastically cut their PC selection), I'm pretty much forced into using DD services.
So it's more of a case of which service will sell a game to me, either the cheapest or at all. In the event that there is ever a game I really want that isn't released on DD services and isn't available in the import shops (luckily, it's not happened yet), I guess I'll have to rely on relatives in the UK to hunt out the game and then pay to get it shipped over.
Too bad most non-DD available games (in my region) are published by companies who don't like Amazon shipping the product overseas. Otherwise, I'd use Amazon.

In order, GOG, Steam, eBay, GamersGate, and Impulse.
GOG and eBay are the most fun though.

Almost always Ebay. I am freaking addicted to it.

Haven't we had enough of these topics?

GOG and Gamersgate are my big two, but retail stores, Impulse, Greenhouse Games and occasionally from a game website itself (Armageddon Empires from the Cryptic Comet site, for instance).

I have never used Gamersgate. What are the differences between Gamersgate and Direct2Drive? When I used Direct2Drive a few years ago, they required that I activate the game using Direct2Drive's own install-limited Securom system (major turn-off for me). Does Gamergate have its own activation system, or better yet, has Direct2Drive tossed their old system?

Not enough, apparently

I've never used D2D, so someone else can answer that part. As for GG, there isn't a tied in system. Some of the games on the service do use 3rd party DRM, but if you do a little research you'll know before buying. You have an account online that your games are available from, you download a downloader/installer and you use that. There is a pretty easy way to keep a back up of the full install setup without it being tied to GG from that point on, too.

Ah, thanks! It sounds like a solid system.