Today Blizzard unveiled a brand-new design for their Official Blizzard Store, not just overhauling the graphical appearance and navigation of the site but also incorporating several major new functions into the site.
Most importantly, Blizzard now allows you to register a "Blizzard Account" that will sync up with purchases from the store, but more excitedly once you register an account you get two major bonuses.
1) Your Blizzard Account is now the main place for you to enter Blizzard's Beta-Test Eligibility Lists. So make sure you setup an account and tick the box inside your Email settings to enter yourself into the Blizzard Beta Lottery.
2) A major new function now available is the ability to download copies of Blizzard games that you have previously purchased. You need to log into your account page and then go to the Games tab. Inside you'll be able to input the CD-Keys from StarCraft, StarCraft Battlechest, StarCraft Anthology, Warcraft III, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, Warcraft Battlechest, Diablo II, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Diablo II Battlechest (Diablo II downloads will be made available soon) or World of WarCraft, though WoW client downloads are still handled through the WoW website.
Clearly between the recent updates to WC3 and SC removing the requirement for your CD to be inside the computer to run the game, and now digital downloads for games you've purchased, Blizzard is moving themselves to the head of the pack when it comes to digital distribution and ease for their games. Hopefully this is a trend that we'll see carried onward with the release of SC2.
The Store now also features most of the Blizzard Licensed Products, including: Board Games, Figurines, Novels, Strategy Guides, and Misc. other products. A new StarCraft Anthology was released, basically a digital download of SC & SC:BW, without the added expense for the BattleChest that includes Strategy Guides.
Source:
Blizzard Account Setup
Blizzard Store
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The download function renders the last Starcraft patch sort of use-less.
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| They go hand in hand. They can't require you to use the download since people own the medium itself. And they could have allowed for digital download of Games you own, but still require the CD to be present before the game would play - but that is not the case. 
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| I just made my account. I'm soooo into this whole "Beta Lottery". Hey, whilst admitedly slim, it gives me a chance of getting the SC2 Beta!! w00t! Though, on hindsight, I proberbly would have aquired this beta (assuming it comes out), through....alternative... methods anyway.. Get an account! Worth it it is! Oh yes! I eat people. -Crazyoldman
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Does this mean that when SC2 comes out there'll be no waiting or finding places where it's not sold out, but rather we can buy and download it from the Blizzard site?
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| Probably so, broodbuddy. And what the hay-I registered an account, too. At least now when my last copy of Broodwar finally turns to dust and they don't sell them in stores, I can still get a new one.
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| hmm... So, do you think this site'll die after SC2 comes out? Who'll leave when it does? foreboding...:& [) |T32
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| Nonono, I don't think it'll die at all. A few reasons. For one, it's not like this site has to become www.starcraft2.org, to ensure popularity. Starcraft is the franchise, and therefore SC.org should encompass SC1 and SC2. I would imagine, though, that the site would take on a more predominantly SC2 oriented feel. Also, who's to say that people won't still play SC1 when SC2 comes out?  I assure you, we will get that odd bunch that will still beleive the original is FTW (I'm assuming SC2 is going to absolutely blow the rest of us away  ).We're all good! I eat people. -Crazyoldman
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| Why would SC.org die? We intend to remain the main destination for SC:BW content - but that in no manner does that stop us from covering SC2. As you can already tell, we have SC2 sections that are slowly growing on the site as does the game itself. And we'll of course have sections dedicated to SC2 Maps/Customs/etc. I think it's a little bit misguided for you to think that. What could any other SC site offer that we aren't able to provide to you in conjunction with all that we already have?
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Indeed, this site is nearly as immortal as myself. Starcraft 2 is only going to flood this place with untold numbers of new new visitors and material, not bring it to an end. Afterall, Starcraft.org is still Blizzard's official, authorized map site.
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Great concept they had, AJ. Now I can finally see a reason to having supposedly registered my bought Blizz' products. I think that will stroll over there and make me an account.
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I am with what Crazy said. I am sure I will probably stick mostly to SC. Sure, SC2 will be incredible and a blast to play, but I am too nostalgic...and probably too broke to upgrade my system for SC2.
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| well, I think that the new future members will be here likely because of the SC2 angle, and less for the SCBW part. I will likely play both, [I'll most likely stay here, as long as people value my contributions and want more.] but I'll still keep sending in stories based on SC1 until 2 comes. If you ever bother to read 'em. Where is everybody, anyway? I've gotten very minimal reactions from my recent submissions [actually, my stuff in general], leading me to believe one of 2 things: 1--everybody hates me, or 2--Sc.org got hit by a nuclear missle, and I happened to be in the can at the moment it occurred. just kidding. I still love you. [) |T32
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| i see no use of this i already have to much starcraft stuff in my room books games collectables and other useless crap (i read all the books mastered the game pc and board) i just got board with starcraft but battle net has kept me in the starcraft mind set
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