My understanding of it is that the password/login is needed only for the updates. For right now, I’m intending just to give players the DDI as it stands now. What I’m hoping (i.e. planning to request) is that WotC makes a group subscription for DDI, where you can give players their own login to get updates.

For me right now, I find that the price point of DDI is definitely worth what I pay. I usually get one or two professionally produced bits of content that are very helpful/inspirational from Dragon a month, access to the Compendium, the aforementioned Character Builder, plus the little stuff…Me I hoard all the bundled maps and art galleries when they release them.

To me it’s a lot of little things for not a lot of money. I would definitely suggest that someone GMing 4e at least try it, but I’m not as sure the value for players is 100% there yet past the character builder.

How do you intend to “hand it over” to your players? Are you just going to give your players your login and password and hope for the best?

Personally, I like D&DI. The character builder preview was great, and I like getting the previews and much of the Dragon content is strong. Dungeon I’m a little dissapointed with, honestly, but Dragon, the character builder and the compendium all make it worthwhile for me.