I downloaded a "pre-release" or beta of this recently and it was absolutely wonderful installing it compared to other recent Linux distros, including Fedora 18 (anaconda problems) even though Fedora allowed BTFS as root. Best Linux distro to get a minimal install and work from there.
It pays to have experience with hostile work environments where harassment and threats is an issue before you start work. If you get stuck in one of these, try to learn from it and make the best of it. Had lots of friends who accepted a job where they were thrust immediately into the "hot seat". It's an aspect of a job that they don't really teach in school.
I've kept every single computer I've owned. Still thrilled with how well my Zeos 386 notebook (from the early 90's) works w/ Linux and that ultra thin Sharp PC-UM10 (from '01) that looks like a small MacBook Air and has an 8-hour battery life.
Some are just stuck because they can't go elsewhere because of traffic jams and they don't want to go inside because it's too crowded or too many people waiting in line for coffee (or to go to bathroom).
Afraid I've never heard of anyone being accosted by officers about hanging out in the parking lot inside their car w/ their computer. Who is to say who's wifi they are using anyway (especially in a tight area where you have multiple choices for wifi)?
I find that more people aren't even going into the coffee shop. They just park outside close enough to get a good wifi signal and relax in their car or van for hours on end.
I recently moved from a metro area to the rural countryside and I really hate it. Miss those conveniences, nearby places to go hang out, social interaction, user group meetings/meetups, and conferences. Never felt more lonely when I moved out of the big city. Friends help some.
Getting out late at night is a pain (even in midsize cities). Places close too early and too many road blocks.
There's also (in some places) this "conservative, religious mentality" and risk avoidance (no fun) that's awful. At times, I feel like I'm working among 18th/19th century Amish or fundamentalists that think only witches/warlocks use computers! Thinking about moving out of there before I'm burned at the stake! ;)