I actually don't mind the GFWL at all. Never had any trouble with it, you can use it so that different people have different save-accounts (if you share your computer this is a great way to protect your saves).
And you get achievements... Which I like :P I'm not an achievements whore really, but if a game has them I am really happy. 'cause I tend to play those games more than other games, due to the fact that you have more stuff to do. And this means I can buy games I want on the PC on the PC, without thinking that I missed out on the extra fun which comes with achievements. Like Bioshock 2 or Batman: AA. Both awesome games.
I agree that DRM sucks though, especially the system Ubisoft has started using. It makes me fear I cannot play any of their new games, since the internet connection I have here often goes haywire. But I still haven't run into any trouble with any DRM.
Still... Viva la GOG!
PS: GTA IV is the best game in the series. Most people hate it because it turned gritty and real compared to the wackiness of San Andreas. I love it because of that fact. Niko is one of the best characters out there as well, and I love the physics-system they use. I think the moment I fell in love with the game was when I was running across the road pretty early on. I didn't have green lights to cross the street, but I almost managed to get across without being hit. Almost. A car hit my back leg as it was outstretched in a running pose. It just hit my ankle and I spun around. I expected to see Niko just falling over, instead he tried to keep his balance, which ended in him doing one of those awesome comedy falls where you run forward on the brink of faceplanting. He caught a lamppost with one hand, but it was a bit to late so he fell facedown in some trash. It was hilarious, and it looked so bloody real!

My actual DRM experiences with "pirated" games (except the ones I purchased on GOG):
- Downloaded the torrent
- Installed the game
- Patched with crack
- Played with no issues at all.
Yeah I know, that's just too easy. People at publishers have issues, anyway....

It is poor show on the part of the publisher (2K/Take 2 Interactive) whose DRM in my opinion is the worst out there after Ubisoft's. They really pile it on big time. At least with Ubisoft you know where you stand.
GTA IV is only slightly redeemed (or reDRMd) by the fact I can play without the disk due to Securom dishing out a launcher that allows you to do so (2K put a stop to that but not quickly enough)
As a game it's pretty good. It's the first GTA I've been able to complete in ages, as one mission in SA was ridiculously hard, but saying that the mission difficulty balance was very haphazard.

Register an account.
Register the game.
Download the game.
Install it.
All good to go, Windows 7 support is perfect.
Play.
Blizzard, there's one publisher that does not employ people with issues... lol!

How about financially?

Yes, their games are priced a bit high, but I don't mind that. I know I am getting a quality product and a good support.

My DRM issues with GTA4:
* Apparently I need to have the disc in the drive to play the game.
But then, I play the Xbox 360 version. And yes, the game is installed to the HDD which I hoped would remove that requirement as it did for PGR4 and Ridge Racer 6.
/troll

My experience with GTA4: Episodes from Liberty City
1. Put disc in install game.
2. Waiting.......waiting.....watch a show while waiting.
3. Install GFWL
4. Do Securom activation
5. Log on to Rockstar Club something
6. Start game (still require the original disc in the DVD-Rom drive)
7. Log on to Games for Windows Live
Seriously, I don't get why GTA needs limit activation, GFWL and disc check. Multiple DRM that doesn't add any value to the game.

No DRM ever added any value to a game, it only detracts from it. Every layer of DRM is an additional potential point of failure. It just makes it that much more likely that a game won't work for some reason.

Look at it that way: be glad you bought GTA IV instead of Assassin's Creed 2.
From that perspective everything starts to look peachy.

The next step in DRM is a representative will come to your house and hold your hand as you sign in and sit behind you as you play.

That is why i bought it one the PS3. Looks crappier, cant mod it, but no DRM sadly I bought a copy with no Manual. Oh well like we need manuals anyways.

At this point, I'm reminded of a post I made in the Spore Copy Protection Q&A thread of the Spore forum. We're getting there...

Will he or she hold a camcorder? :P

Only if Pamela Anderson is in your house.