The thread titled "GOG GALAXY BETA" is full of people using it. It's heavily in development and the basic features are there but very rough around the edges. Since it is a developmental beta, many features are missing, incomplete or unstable at the moment. If someone likes the idea of testing software and reporting the bugs they find, without expecting the application to be a stable reliable finished product, then they might want to give Galaxy a shot and participate in testing and reporting feedback. If one is looking more for a stable finished program just to use and is not really interested in being a guinea pig however, then I would recommend avoiding Galaxy until they release the first official stable release, but that probably wont be until late 2016 or 2017 I estimate.

Basic store and library functionality is present, downloading games mostly works but some of the files are missing in individual games. Installing games mostly works but there is no compression so the size of the game installation download is the uncompressed version of the files which is much larger than if you download the installers and install them yourself and import the game into Galaxy. Even then it may redownload the whole or part game again.

It's in a state of flux with a new long awaited build coming soon, probably in 2-4 weeks as an estimate. If someone new is considering trying it either way, I would recommend holding off for now until the next big update comes out in a few weeks, then waiting a bit longer for them to handle new bug reports coming in and smooth out the bugs in the new code drop for a few more weeks etc. They should subscribe and monitor the GOG GALAXY BETA thread to keep an eye on what's happening to gauge whether they think it sounds ready enough to test.

HTH

I use it but all I really use it for is convenience for patching and updating things and making it easy to launch the stuff I have installed. The chat function seems to work well among the friends who chat with me while I play Witcher 3 or something. I haven't used it for multiplayer anything yet so I can't report on that. Other than that it works great and makes my life easier. My only real gripe is I wish there was a dark mode like the forums have there is SOOO much white space!

I use it, but only for the convenience of updating games. So, in that respect I guess it's useful. I could care less about time tracking, achievement, and multiplayer.

I have no major complaints about Galaxy. I like using and having the client and have had no major problems, other than a couple of crashes, since its installation around when it debuted . I like having all my GOG games organized in one place as well as a few other features Galaxy offers (time tracking, easy install etc.). It also is the only game service I have running on my computer at the moment.

Is it worth using? That is an ice cream question; taste it and see if you personally like the flavor. Its deliciousness (or worth) will vary from person to person. It is free, and I doubt removing it, if it's unwanted, would pose a problem.

I use it to keep my games updated and for me to see how long I've played certain games. I have not really had any issues with it personally.

Pointless question. There is two encampments, those like me who buy here due to being able to buy games, download via browser, and play offline with ko further requirement. The other encampment are the new generation, who want steam like features, online gaming, social gaming, achievements etc.
The two are currently at a common medium where things are optional, so still works for both sides. Unfortunately with early access and the rise of galaxy there is a definite must be towards a steam like site, how far that goes something we will see.

As to your question, well, you are from the US, so I suppose you have no problem with spyware clients a lot of mass advertising gimmicks, so probably no problem installing a client, although I would point out that its in beta, and still lacks some functionality.

So, up to you. Me I don't install client ware full stop, ever, under any circumstances, nor do I buy anything that even remotely needs anything for internet connected.

Works pretty well for me, can't really complain about it!

Galaxy can be used offline if one chose to do so. It would then basically just be a convenient game launcher that keeps track of your game time optionally, and various other optional features yet to come such as the overlay stuff etc. One can download the standalone installers either via the web, Galaxy, or GOG Downloader for now, install manually, import into Galaxy and launch etc. So there is no mandatory requirement for Galaxy to always be online. Mind you, if someone is worried about Galaxy being online then they probably hate clients completely and the offline usability it offers wouldn't interest them at all.

If someone hates clients, I'd recommend they just avoid Galaxy entirely as it serves no purpose for them. If someone likes or prefers clients, then it depends on whether they want a stable officially released product that is full featured and reliable, or they're willing to beta test and know what that actually means and can set their expectations accordingly, otherwise I'd recommend they wait it out. If someone isn't sure whether or not they might benefit from Galaxy, personally I'd recommend they wait at least until the next major release comes out in a few weeks simply to avoid having to deal with any of the bugs/etc. that everyone else encounters that may end up being fixed in the next major release.

If someone needs to be sold on it though to try it, I wouldn't bother trying to sell them really, and I'd recommend they not bother moving out of their existing working comfort zone either. Besides, with the current beta-state of the client, it isn't in the best shape to really sell itself to someone who is highly skeptical or greatly dislikes the idea to begin with as they're likely to encounter issues that make them feel that they've confirmed their dislikes when it isn't a true picture of what is to come.