Allen, I’m on the road a lot, either on working vacations or visiting friends and family, so I do wind up using coffee shops as office spaces.

I do try to give back by buying coffee and food, and by being pleasant and telling others about the places I patronize.

Anne, I also work a lot in libraries. I’m in one right now, and it has a decent connection.

I also spend a lot of time in the independent coffee shops. Sometimes, though, Starbucks is either the only one available (like in small towns), or it’s the only one open at 5:30 a.m. (I’m an early riser!)

Of course, I don’t write much in coffee shops… if I can’t work at home for some reason the National City Library has a zippy connection.

Terry, I’ve also seen the long tables at some Starbucks stores, including the one in Anderson, California and another I saw in Provo, Utah. I definitely like that concept.

You bring up a good question about buying a cup of coffee and then sitting for an hour or more. I’m often one of those people. I try to be sensitive to how full a coffee shop is. If it’s crowded I won’t stay long, or I’ll take outside seating that’s less desirable.

I would be happy to pay for time at an independent coffee shop that included basic coffee and (refills), good wifi, low background music and a buzz of fellow workers.