No really. Everytime I log on to my comp.... steam runs through a list of actions like checking for compatibility, updating files....etc. I don't see why I need to be connected to any kind of online community machine, in order to play a single player game. Any advice on whether I can delete it and still play New Vegas would be appreciated.

Why? Steam is not bad at all. (At least for my rig, written in my signature.)

I suggest offline mode, that's the only legal method to use as even disk version of New Vegas uses Steam.

[Well, you could use a no-steam crack but I do not recommend that at all. It's illegal and could result in the ban of your Steam account.]

Maybe I don't know what Steam is. I bought the disc new.....the ultimate edition.... and assumed I was playing a game, by myself, on my own hardrive (or disc) and not connected to an open ended pathway that gives and takes information from my comp. That sounds to much like the govt.

You have to use Steam once to register the game. I think you can log off and never log back in and still play the game. I'm not entirely sure, but it's what I hear from a lot of anti DRM players out there. I know it works for Civ V but haven't tried it for New Vegas.

It's Origin who takes information from your PC and I think you can deactivate that option because I remember doing it. As far as I know Steam doesn't take any information from your PC, and as I said you can use ''Offline Mode'' if you don't want to go online. The digital game platforms are getting bigger and bigger. And Steam hasn't earnt so much clients for no reason.

Using a No-Steam crack is not illegal, just against the End User License Agreement. I won't say more since the forum probably frowns upon the distribution of cracks, but a quick google search should give you some results.

The easier way though, is to set up Steam, make an account and then simply set Steam to Offline Mode permanently. Steam will still turn on when you play your game, but it will not attempt to connect to the internet at all.