You only need to connect to the internet ONCE to use EQ6, and that's just to validate the program.
It's a sad fact, but necessary in these times. As per usual, a small number of selfish thieves make life difficult for the rest of us.
I use it a lot, for everything from designing a whole quilt, to just figuring out the sizes on things. The help section is great, and the forum is great too. It's well worth the money, in my opinion. :-)