No one cares if its Valve or even Facebook spying on people (yes, they do the same as Origin) but if its EA, suddenly its a reason for a boycott. And while being constantly online is annoying, at the other hand, who doesnt have a 24/7 internet connection these days? Also, as that manager explained, they are using the servers to reduce the strain on your computer. Making use of cloud computing power to do a whole lot of calculations that would otherwise be something your own computer has to do. I think its actually a brilliant idea.
The difference is that steam (valve) you can opt in or out whether it will scan your hardware an software where as origin to use the software you have to let it scan your pc. Also although my home internet is good i often go on holiday to places with little or no internet so why shouldn't i be able to play a game if spent £45> on for two weeks because i am away.
