The bug happens even if you don't have your PS3 connected to the internet.

And yeah, this is going to be a problem for them because they have to count on people actually doing detective work and figuring out to go to the Sony site to somehow get the update.

I already know of two buddies who both thought their PS3 was just fucked and since it was out of warranty they were ready to give up on it and sell it on eBay.  These aren't people that are you're 40+ year old parents, these are 20-30 year old people who aren't hardcore gamers but aren't so much casual either so this is unfortunately a problem since peopel just don't know where to look for updates if they aren't automatically there.

How exactly are they screwed? They were never affected by this in the first place.

well i just finished playing an hour ago , and my clock was on jan 1st 2000 because i used the "use internet connection" on setting the date and time. but you can normally set it manually

and about the save files that isn't true, since i played normally without anything , the trophies wont sync though, but since you don't have online, why do you want trophies for?

really? lol never knew that.  Then another answer to solve the 'internet-less' people's issue. 

But to have the latest firmware and fixed asap they have to buy the newest game right away.  But if they're not interested in cashing out $60 in buying the newest game for months to come (possibly waiting for a specific game), it'd be nice to have another option of having it on every monthly magazine issue.

See twesterm's post above. I know plently of people who can't have internet, alot of people their 20s including my Step-Brother who just got a PS3 and can't afford internet. Lucky him he has a slim, but 2 years ago he had a fat and if he kept that right now he'd be screwed.

It depends on what game you're playing.  Some games you can play, but some games like Heavy Rain and Demon's Soul you can't (I believe there are others, but I know those two don't work).

-edit-

I'm confident Sony will get a patch out in a timely manner, it's just a problem of getting that patch to some people.

don't u get firmware updates without connecting to PSN?

Yes, but the current firmware is still affected. Sony would have to make another patch themselves.

you can play Demon's Souls without signing in, i don't know about heavy rain thought, but i know Ninja Gaiden cannot be played AT ALL without signing in , even if you are in the middle of the game and you sign off it goes into the main menu =s

How do you know that they will be affected though? This whole problem could be because of the current firmware and not because of some other thing?