it is a lot of work to check pictures up against a database every time i start the game. the first version i had never had that, as it was provided without any manuals. gog should remove it as well.

Do you mean the pictures at the top of the manual pages? If you got the game on GOG, that check has been removed so you can just hit return without entering anything and it will start your saved game.

not entirely, unlike my disc version, where it was removed entirely. i also played it online at a website where it was completely removed. they can do better. other people have already done better.

They don't need to do better, as it is already good enough now. Just hit enter, when the check comes up. No need to check pictures.