Steam
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Contents |
Overview
Steam[1] is a program that was developed by Valve. Steam is an online store that allows users to purchase software that they desire. The software is then permanently attached the account and will be available for download as many times as the user likes and on any computer they want to the only limitation is they must be logged in to use the content. In addition to the store function of the program the user is also given access to a community page that they are allowed to upload a picture and information about themselves or anything they desire to share with other Steam users. To compliment the community page the user is given a friends lists for them to populate with people the know or may meet while using Steam. Users are also given the ability to make and join groups. The user can see what game anybody on their friends list is currently playing.
The Software
Steam as a program will maintain all software that the user has downloaded through Steam. Gives the user the ability to launch any program they want through Steam even if it was purchased from another source. Programs added to Steam but not purchases from Steam will not be updated or maintained by Steam but when a program is launched using Steam the Steam overlay is used. The Steam overlay allows users to press a combination of key binds to show an overlay that will show the user's friends list, the ability to chat while in game and browser as well. The overlay gives the user the ability to easily stay in contact with anybody on the network they choose to without needing to exit or minimize what they are doing. Depending on the game the user can also join a friend's game from the friend list making it easier to play with people they know.
The Store
The store function of Steam allows user an easier and quicker means to acquire software that Steam offers because it can be done from the user's computer. For software that is pre-ordered Steam will allow the user to pre-load a certain amount of the software and then decode it when the software goes live. Steam also supports free demo's and if a developer wishes for the product to be free for a certain window then Steam can allow free access to the software for the window then turn it off when the window ends if the user has not made a purchase. Despite having the program downloaded Steam will not allow the user to use the program unless they made a purchase.