I experienced the power cycle issue too. I narrowed it down to happening when apps update. If you turn off automatic updates for apps, you should not get into a state where you need to restart as often.
It's very much alive. You are looking at the meta project. If you look at the other components ( https://github.com/limetext ), there are recent commits.
I'm very sad to hear such bad news about a great person. :( I learned a lot about developing by hanging out in #merb and #engineyard chatting with Ezra and the crew.
The Rose Reading Room is beautiful, but the wooden chairs are a bit uncomfortable if you plan on being there for a few hours.
I suggest the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) on 34th and Madison (http://www.nypl.org/locations/sibl). They have a big room full of about 150 workspaces to work from your notebook with power, Wifi and Aeron chairs. I've been there several times and did not run into any issues with finding an open seat.