Steam client is a piace of shit.

I personally rarely have problems with Steam, in fact the experience I get makes me almost forget it's even DRM, and I would actually rather have a game that uses Steam than a DRM free copy, something that I definitely can't say about Origin or Uplay. Any software can go wrong for some people, and unfortunately Steam support isn't really the best support if you are having problems, which is the only negative thing I can really think of for Steam.

Have you tried reinstalling Steam by deleting everything but the Steam exe and the SteamApps folder? Also try running Steam as an admin and make sure that it's not your antivirus or anything causing problems. Some security software will cry about anything (I'm looking at you Norton and McAfee).

In comparison with Origin from EA... you have to be satisfied with the Steam Client...

Wait for the galaxy

no probs here.. i download and delete and re-download and re-delete and pause and start and browse and search and find and add and talk and comment and play and shit ...

I had that problem with Serious Sam HD: TFE. It kept downloading the last 14 MB, and I noticed over 3 GB later... I tried disabling my anti-virus, restarting the client, integrity checking... But after I changed my region from the settings (Downloads —> Download Region), the problem was fixed.

As a trader, i definitely agree. I've had no problem downloading games, but trading usually won't work. It does work perfectly some times, but usually the trade will just get an error as soon as both hit the "Accept trade" button. The trade offers are even worse. I've also had wierd occursions here and there where i'll just get disconnected from Steam and go offline.

I honestly have few problems with the client that aren't issues with Steam in general being down.

Whaa? Never had any issues here. Client has taken over my life actually.

the freezes happen quite often since a few days. i guess they broke something with the last update (i use the beta client).

you're wrong... it's not a piece... :D

Instead of a useless "works fine for me" or flamewar about platforms...
How about a potential solution?
My guess would be that your hard drive might be close to full. Maybe not completely full but windows gets somewhat weird when you get close to filling up your drive (like a claustrophobic person in a filling up elevator).
Otherwise I would watch the steam folders "temp" and "downloading" maybe something strange happening there and the folder of the game you're downloading (steam creates it and all files prior to downloading). Oh and sometimes steam has some strange behaviour with updates, it loads an update right after downloading a game (sometimes several) - watch the exact download size.
Other than that the usual tips: "Have you tried switching it off and on again? (both Steam and Windows)" ...etc
And yes Steam is by no means fast - compared to things like Chrome, but its not that bad. Its at least better than IE (any version. yes. any version).

Don't use the steam client then. Run it and minimize it to the system tray. Then use Google Chrome browser (has to be Chrome browser to have Library function) with http://www.enhancedsteam.com plugin installed as your new "Steam client".

Last couple of days I've had 2 different downloads sticking at "Creating local game cache files". Then it would tell me I wasn't connected to the internet. Re-starting Steam fixed it both times.

I do often struggle with trades from the client. Sometimes it tells me there was an error when making a trade offer but when I check my pending offers it made the offer anyway. Other times there actually was an error. Accepting offers doesn't always work either. I've never had a problem with trades from the browser.

I don't know if this is a thing, but adding a key on the client seems to take a while. I mean if I add a game on Desura a little green box pops up instantly saying my gift was delivered. On Steam it takes 15-20 seconds and my computer fans start blowing for some reason. Doesn't happen if I use Humble Bundle's or Indie Gala key delivery system, only when I type them in.

Yeah, I agree. It's not very good.

i only have this exp with marvel heroes who keep resetting to zero if isn't finished dl in 2-3 days. funny thing rest of my game dl'ing exp with steam, who usually either; a longer, b bigger size are safe

Try beta/stable client depending on the one you are using now.