Steam and Non-Steam questions

okay so im getting a new PC and it will arrive Friday, my 360 just got RRoD (ive had it since Christmas 05 no repairs) and because of that my dad said I could get a game for PC and I wouldn't have to pay for it so I plan on possibly using Steam with my new PC so here the questions

If I buy the Orange Box at like Best Buy can I still play with people who are using the downloaded Steam version?

Can I register the Orange Box on steam after I install it and then be able to not use discs and delete and redownload it as many times as I want?

If I bought a Non-Valve game such as Battlefield 2 from Best Buy could I play with people who have it on Steam and can I also register it and delete and download it as much as I want?

If I buy a game on Steam does that make it mine forever?

If I buy a game on Steam can I delete and redownload it as many times as I want?

 If I buy the Orange Box from Best Buy can I buy Garry's Mod off steam and use that with my Disc version of the Orange Box?

How are my purchases on Steam protected? (If I buy a game on Steam does it register to my username)

I think thats everything I want to know, if u know anything that may help me with Steam please post it

yes

yes

yes to the first part no to the second (no redownloads on non steam games)

yes

yes

yes

yes it is sorted out by username so you coul;d even play games you own on different machines.  So if you owned a laptop and a desktop or any future computer you might buy.

Overall steam is a slick system that works really well.  Just note that the orange box must be played through steam so you have to be online.  It hurts dial up people a little bit but thats the only real downside.

okay so im getting a new PC and it will arrive Friday, my 360 just got RRoD (ive had it since Christmas 05 no repairs) and because of that my dad said I could get a game for PC and I wouldn't have to pay for it so I plan on possibly using Steam with my new PC so here the questions

 

If I buy the Orange Box at like Best Buy can I still play with people who are using the downloaded Steam version?

Yes 

Can I register the Orange Box on steam after I install it and then be able to not use discs and delete and redownload it as many times as I want?

Yes 

If I bought a Non-Valve game such as Battlefield 2 from Best Buy could I play with people who have it on Steam and can I also register it and delete and download it as much as I want?

Yes and No. Buying the game off of steam allows for you to redownload whenever you want, buying it at Best Buy will allow you to install and play with anyone who owns it. Since it is not a Valve game it won't require steam to run and thus you won't need steam, just a CD/DVD and a CD key 

If I buy a game on Steam does that make it mine forever?

Yes, unless you give it as a gift 

If I buy a game on Steam can I delete and redownload it as many times as I want?

Yes 

 If I buy the Orange Box from Best Buy can I buy Garry's Mod off steam and use that with my Disc version of the Orange Box?

Yes 

How are my purchases on Steam protected? (If I buy a game on Steam does it register to my username)

That game and key will remain with the steam account you bought the game with. You can edit your name on your friends list so the login just has to be something you can live with :)

 

I think thats everything I want to know, if u know anything that may help me with Steam please post it

 

fat_boy_phil

Doesn't matter 

So should i buy the Steam or Non-Steam version of the Orange box, or does it really matter at all?fat_boy_phil

The only difference is the packaging, as far as I know.

So should i buy the Steam or Non-Steam version of the Orange box, or does it really matter at all?fat_boy_phil

it doesn't matter if u buy the retail cuz the game is developed by Valve. it's gonna asked u to activate the game through your steam account anyways. once activated, u can reinstall the game online and u don't even have to put in the cd-key as it's already associated with your steam account

So should i buy the Steam or Non-Steam version of the Orange box, or does it really matter at all?fat_boy_phil