Steam

Never been too keen on Steam and still not bought anything on it, but had to install it the other day to install Empire:Total War

Just checked the Task Manager and Steam is running in the background (not played Empire or done anything with Steam since PC was last started) ... using over 40MB of RAM. More than Excel, Skype, any individual Windows processes or anything in fact that I'm actually using besides Firefox.

What the heck is it doing that takes so much resources while its not even being used? I'm rather concerned that its taking any besides a bare few for the icon to be in the corner doing nothing.

It's a P2P server; it's sharing what you have with everyone else on the Internet.

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Originally Posted by RandBlade

Never been too keen on Steam and still not bought anything on it, but had to install it the other day to install Empire:Total War

Just checked the Task Manager and Steam is running in the background (not played Empire or done anything with Steam since PC was last started) ... using over 40MB of RAM. More than Excel, Skype, any individual Windows processes or anything in fact that I'm actually using besides Firefox.

What the heck is it doing that takes so much resources while its not even being used? I'm rather concerned that its taking any besides a bare few for the icon to be in the corner doing nothing.

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Task manager is untrustworthy for measuring memory usage. It means that 40MB is currently allocated to Steam by Windows, not that it needs/is using all of that.

However, it's P2P server activies does take up some memory. It can't publish an index of all your files to the net for free!

Seriously P2P? Why do I need to be sharing any of my files? :bulb:

I only have the bloody thing because a game on DVD made me install it.

"Information wants to be free." Steam is just helping it do that. It helps with download speeds and file availability.

You can tell Steam not to launch at Windows startup.

My Steam was only showing 25mb of memory usage in the task manager, and I'm up to 345 games installed and listed in my library, an active friends list and group events. It didn't top 40mb of usage until I opened my game library in grid view.

Try telling Steam your connection is low, like modem low. I don't think the p2p stuff comes into play with lower bandwidth connections. And don't worry, it doesn't effect your download rate.

EDIT:
Just took a screenshot of the taskmanager
http://i.imgur.com/HqqiN.png


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My problem right now is my recent Civ 4 purchase is showing double listings in my library (forums blame the Mac version), and the stupid thing installed shortcuts on my desktop to the Mac versions, so they kept telling me Civ 4 wouldn't run on my setup :bulb:

This technique is only suitable for Advanced Computer Users and Hackers, but it should stop Steam using any excess memory at all. You'll need to apply it every time you finish using Steam to play a game.

WARNING: BACK-UP YOUR FILES BEFORE ATTEMPTING.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9309100/Pict...techniques.png

Yep.

dnt listen 2 this guy i tried that once and then it wudnt let me back on evn though i TOTALLY followd directions. lol gamerfags

:haha:

Though seriously, I didn't know about the P2P issue. Coincidentally I audited my login items a while ago and disabled it.

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Originally Posted by Steely Glint

This technique is only suitable for Advanced Computer Users and Hackers, but it should stop Steam using any excess memory at all. You'll need to apply it every time you finish using Steam to play a game.

WARNING: BACK-UP YOUR FILES BEFORE ATTEMPTING.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9309100/Pict...techniques.png

Yep.

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:haha:

But seriously, without this thread I didn't know about P2P issues. I don't see why I would possibly want it leaching any bandwidth or acting as a P2P when I've got no downloaded games anyway, but I'm glad I know now.

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Originally Posted by RandBlade

:haha:

But seriously, without this thread I didn't know about P2P issues. I don't see why I would possibly want it leaching any bandwidth or acting as a P2P when I've got no downloaded games anyway, but I'm glad I know now.

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You may have installed your current game from disc, but now that its registered with Steam, you can download it as often, whenever, and wherever you want. As long as Steam is alive, you don't need the disc.
Not to mention the automatic updates Steam takes care of (depending on developer support).

And if I don't want any of that s*** and just want to play the game?

Don't buy games that use Steam DRM?

Steam also has the option to not keep games updated.

Steam is an intrusive piece of shit which I don't want on my computer, but which apparently I can't avoid if I want to play basic titles *like Civ 5* because Valve is aggressively pushing to monopolize the online distribution space. Something OG would rant about if it was, say Amazon, but since he likes Steam everyone disliking what Valve is doing is just being unreasonable.

I guess we found the answer to the burning question concerning the fate of Kain :D

I commonly rant against Steam monopolizing digital distribution, but thats usually done on /r/gaming since this place isn't...well, /r/gaming. I've been with Steam since the HL2 launch, and I've seen it evolve from pure shit to a very useful piece of software.
I still consider it DRM (as already mentioned), but its benefits for me far outweigh its negatives. Of course, I haven't lost my entire collection of games yet because of a chargeback or other payment snafu. Their uptime is relatively impressive, the forums are useful for quick information but shit as far as community goes, I can't wait till they get over the TF2 hat fetish they currently have, their recent Portal 2/Potato AR game was a huge let down for anyone that didn't devote every waking hour to it (but those that did were rewarded very nicely), and I haven't touched my profile page since that feature was launched.
Am I worried that a monoplized digital distribution market will spell the end of daily, midweek, and seasonal sales? Slightly, but I buy just as many AAA Steam titles from Target clearance as I do from Steam sales.

I also use gamersgate, gog, amazon, impulse (not since the gamestop takeover) and direct2drive for my game purchases. Steam is just the easiest way for me to organize them.

I don't see where I'm accusing anyone for being unreasonable. Maybe ignorant of what Steam is capable of, but not unreasonable.

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Originally Posted by Nessus

I guess we found the answer to the burning question concerning the fate of Kain :D

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I don't think it's spyware, I just hate having to install and run third-party crap to get at the game I bought. I also don't favor distribution models which are exclusively online and Sony just gave us a great example as to why. But again, that's what Valve is pushing with Steam.

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

I don't see where I'm accusing anyone for being unreasonable. Maybe ignorant of what Steam is capable of, but not unreasonable.

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"Don't buy games that use Steam" in response to a comment about not having any interest in anything but the damn game sounds supportive of Valve's model and strongly implies that the commenter is being unreasonable by it's basic dismissiveness

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Originally Posted by LittleFuzzy

"Don't buy games that use Steam" in response to a comment about not having any interest in anything but the damn game sounds supportive of Valve's model and strongly implies that the commenter is being unreasonable by it's basic dismissiveness

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Voting with your wallet is unreasonable?
Fuzzy, you so crazy.

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

I still consider it DRM (as already mentioned), but its benefits for me far outweigh its negatives.

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Saved for posterity. :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

Voting with your wallet is unreasonable?
Fuzzy, you so crazy.

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Funny, you're normally a rabid regulationist when it's about something you don't actually like. This is as blatant an about-face as Dread's sudden concern about boycotts in Wisconsin.

and now you've gone from crazy to just stupid :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Saved for posterity. :p

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I don't see the need, for how I use it, its got an uncanny resemblance to the subscription models of freegal/netflix services I was speaking about (and approve of) previously. Heck, with its offline mode its even more liberal than how netflix works.

Compared to Amazon eBooks though...?

I'm unaware of Valve using Steam to delete user saved games or purchases ;)
or of any reassurances from Amazon that the titles will be unlocked if amazon or the ebook service were to go under.

This is possibly the most important part. This is what I was talking about with DRM that restricts what the user can do. Steam has no restrictions on how many times you can download, or on how many machines you can download to.

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Originally Posted by Amazon FAQ

Most books and other non-subscription items you purchase from the Kindle store may be simultaneously accessed for your personal use on up to six Kindles (or Kindle compatible devices, such as Kindle for iPhone) registered to your Amazon.com account. If the limit is less than six kindles for a specific title, you'll see the message "Simultaneous Device usage: Up to X simultaneous devices, per publisher limits" on the detail page.

If you reach the device limit and wish to replace one of your current devices with a new one, you must first deregister and delete the content from the device you wish to replace before you can access the content in question from your new device. For device registration instructions, please see the Help page for the device you wish to register/deregister on the Kindle Support pages. There is no limit on the number of times a title can be downloaded to a registered device.

Subscription content can only be downloaded to one Kindle at a time and cannot be accessed from Kindle for iPhone.

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Neither does Google Books. And neither does Steam. Maybe DRM on its own isn't the devil? :o

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Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

Maybe DRM on its own isn't the devil? :o

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after you went round and round in the public service thread, this is all you managed to walk away with? holy shit Dread.

According to this (and this), Google ebooks supports Abobe Digital Editions, which has the same 6 device limit as Amazon :noob: They simply leave the DRM decision up to the publisher, which is the same way every other DRM works...
Hell, those are the first 2 links when you google "google books drm", followed by 2 links that show you how to remove the DRM :haha:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

I'm unaware of Valve using Steam to delete user saved games or purchases ;)
or of any reassurances from Amazon that the titles will be unlocked if amazon or the ebook service were to go under.

This is possibly the most important part. This is what I was talking about with DRM that restricts what the user can do. Steam has no restrictions on how many times you can download, or on how many machines you can download to.

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Uh, Ominous, that quote of yours is talking about "simultaneous access".

Do me the favour and try to access your Steam account from a second PC while you're logged in at the first one.

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Originally Posted by Khendraja'aro

Uh, Ominous, that quote of yours is talking about "simultaneous access".

Do me the favour and try to access your Steam account from a second PC while you're logged in at the first one.

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With regards to DRM simultaneous means registered and/or authorized, similar to the number of simultaneous times you can use your Windows install key. Kindles after all can't be internet connected 24/7 to determine realtime simultaneous access
Here is a chat transcript that explains it

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Him — You can download an unlimited number of times.
Me — If that’s the case why was I told that sometimes it’s five or six times and sometimes it’s one time?
Him — You can download an unlimited number of times to any specific device.
Me — So it’s not the number of downloads the way the rep yesterday said but the number of devices?
Him– Right.
Me– What if I get a new device?
Him — Most books give you six or seven devices that you can have it on at any one time.
Me — What about the 8th device? What if I get a new Kindle and new iPhone and they are eight and nine but are the only devices at the time that I am using.
Him — I believe we can release more licenses.
Me– You believe or you know? And does that mean that on my seventh Kindle I need to call Amazon and ask you to release each book one at a time?
Him — Well that’s up to the publisher
Me — Huh? I thought you said it could be downloaded an unlimited number of times to any device, could be on five or six devices at any one time and you could release more devices if need be. Is that the case or is it up to the publisher to determine? I’m getting more confused not less.
He said, “No, you can download a book an unlimited number of times.”
Me- Then why was I told there was a limit and for some books it is five or six but for others it might be just one.
Him- No you can download it and remove it and redownload it.
Me- That’s all well and good but yesterday I was told that there was a limit to the number of times it can be downloaded.
Him- Oh, well there is a limit to the number of devices you can download to but the majority of books let you download to five or six.
Me- So how do you know if it is one or six in advance? And what happens when I am on device number seven and the cap is six.
Him– To be honest with you that’s going to be a problem.

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Once the item is on 6 devices, thats it. Doesn't matter which ones you're accessing at the time or not.

With Adobe Digital Editions, it doesn't even have to be unique devices, you could use up your 6 device limit by reauthorizing the same machine.

Your quote above mentions you just have to delete and unregister it from one of the previous six devices. Doesn't sound unreasonable. At least you can open it on several devices at the same time :p

Thats what Steam offline mode is for :p

I'm curious how the unregistering process works for Kindles, and how easy it is for a layman, or how its done for theft or damage. I know with Adobe Digital Editions, they don't provide a tool to deauthorize a machine, so you're SOL until you can get support to unlock your account. This is bitch in the library when combined with programs like DeepFreeze.

I thought Steam did not work when you were offline? Then again, I hardly game so what do I know.

Yes, I do imagine it would be problematic if you lost your Kindle, or had it stolen.