It's now 3:38AM and I'm still waiting for Half Life 2

[K.I.L.E.R]

So the key will make sure I don't need to activate again?

What happens if someone steals this "key" file?

 

[Shapeshifter]

email and complain.

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

So the key will make sure I don't need to activate again?

Yes

What happens if someone steals this "key" file?

I doubt it will work on another machine. It's probably tied to your account/CD key/hardware in some way, otherwise pirates would simply copy one key all over the world to unlock copies of downloaded Steam installations.

 

[K.I.L.E.R]

So if I change my hardware I have to activate online again?

Thanks BZB.

 

[bloodbob]

NM I'll stop being a dirty warezer and no it wasn't an announcement that hl2 was out on the net.

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

So if I change my hardware I have to activate online again?

Thanks BZB.

I don't think anyone knows for sure yet. It might be tied to just your account/CD key, and not your hardware.