English still has a distinction - I'd go to a joiner or cabinetmaker if I wanted some furniture made, not a carpenter.

Perhaps the lack of distinction is a North American thing?

Buying a disk doesn't help you if the game uses Steamworks though. I've been bitten by this with Empire:Total War and Just Cause 2. Looks like Civ 5 is off the shopping list.

The install/activation limit can still apply with games on the Steam platform as well. It doesn't have any inherent advantage over other systems here. Products distributed via Steam are often still protected by another system such as Securom.

The convenience you're talking about with Steam is also a common property of other digital distribution systems as well. Stardock's Impulse for example also lets you log in on another computer and download your games - just as convenient as Steam.

Impulse has some advantages though:

1. One-time activation - no need to keep checking if you're allowed to play it
2. The Impulse client isn't required to play your games
3. No need for an offline mode (see 2)
4. Updates are opt-in instead of opt-out
5. Offline activation method available - as long as you can get to another computer with internet access.

These same benefits exist on other systems as well. Stardock's Impulse platform is pretty good at avoiding some of the pitfalls Steam has. On the other hand it still isn't quite as slick as Steam is.

Civilization 5 will be released as a boxed version in retail stores as well. You will still be required to install Steam because 2K Games have chosen to use Steamworks with it.

When you install Steam you are required to be connected to the internet for it to look for updates, and to sign in to, or sign up for, an account.

sconeu's suggestion is still fine.

Put the .VDI on the flash drive, and then run it in VirtualBox on whatever system they have at home. VirtualBox works on Linux, Windows or Mac so there shouldn't be too many problems.

They don't need a linux computer at home, just a way to run the linux system he's using in the labs right?

So, greater demand leads to lower prices?

The "X" series is worth checking out if you're looking for something similar to Elite. X3: Terran Conflict is probably the best one to get - the interface has been greatly improved in it.

Just limit the maximum level of advertisements to the average level of the preceding show.

It shouldn't harm the ads' dynamic range too much, since they effectively run at one level now - maximum.

It also seems relatively simple for broadcasters to enforce.

I remember playing the shareware versions of his Exile games when I was a kid - I was hooked on them then. They are fun games to play.

It's a niche market he's going for, but if you're in that niche then his games will probably provide far more entertainment than most new releases.

He also provides very generous demos of his games, so you can try out a good portion of them before deciding whether to make a purchase.