And another feature found it’s way into the Steam client: Now it’s possible to add basically every program, so it can be launched from the “My Games” list. A nice workaround for games not purchased via Steam, but that users want to have accessible there (some may find that strange, but once you’ve checked out the forums, lots of people ask if they can add their retail games to Steam later on, which were purchased without it; which might be the place the idea to do this came from). I just tested it with one of the Sam & Max episodes (DVD, not the Steam “edition”, I only buy via Steam if there’s “no other alternative”), it almost makes no difference at all. Once the option is selected, a new dialog opens and the desired executable can be chosen (this dialog lists numerous programs on its own, meaning it searches the drive(s) - creepy anyone?). The game icon can be custom, an option even “real” Steam games don’t offer.
The new in-game community features (default Shift-Tab) are available too (can blend in as overlay in any game started via the client). Those are still tagged as Beta, as all current social/user/community stuff is today. The idea is that gamers start chatting, planing (calendar options) = socializing via Steam too. Of course the inevitable user profile is not missing, where you can list your hobbies. Do I sound too negative again? Never mind, we’ll learn soon enough how this turns out.
September 19, 2007 at 2:23 am
“this dialog lists numerous programs on its own, meaning it searches the drive(s) - creepy anyone?”
This is likely done with a simple WMI call to the registry. All programs that are installed write their information to the registry for a number of reason - not the least of which is to allow the uninstallers do their job appropriately. The Steam client just needs to make a simple call to a WMI hook that’s part of every system.
The only creepy part about it would be if that information were sent back to the Steam’s orbiting HQ.
It’s also interesting to note exactly how much and what kind of information that can be gathered by simple WMI calls or registry read commands on your computer. All your hardware and installed software configuration is available. What *isn’t* available (without a LOT of extra programming) is data contained in individual files. So, your bank account information and your recipe collection (AHEMpr0nAHEM) will generally remain safe.
January 5, 2008 at 11:55 pm
yea i got all my games on
April 7, 2008 at 12:11 pm
“This is likely done with a simple WMI call to the registry. All programs that are installed write their information to the registry for a number of reason - not the least of which is to allow the uninstallers do their job appropriately. The Steam client just needs to make a simple call to a WMI hook that’s part of every system.”
No, information isn’t accessed through that (or at least not only throught that). I know this because I run Steam in Linux (under Wine) and it finds a game which drive is mapped so that it can be seen (as E: drive) but which is not installed to this wine -instance (so there is no registry info about the game at all). Tthat game can be bought through STEAM so that might be the case why Steam finds it (this instance is of course not bought from steam).