Exactly.
I purchased two copies of Skyrim on November 11, 2011. One for the PC, and one for the PS3 (For the kids) - Bethsoft got my 130 bucks to add to their 600+ million in sales.
I still have the PC copy in it's package in my desk drawer... and have been playing the non-Steam version of Skyrim since NOVEMBER 10th.
I had been planning on purchasing Skyrim since announcement and I did this only to avoid the mandatory Steam installation. To date, I have never played any games on Steam - the requirement of any third-party program to "allow" me to play what I purchase will only encourage this behaviour in the future as well. I have also managed to avoid the buggy patch issues that plague so many as well. I will patch my game when there is a good, stable, non-game-breaking patch available. :)
Yes, I know the arguments for and against Steam (or other "services" like it)... I have made my choice.
Cheers!