You put up without power/internet guarantees and an expectation to spend money for what? The comfort of working hunched over a laptop at a strange table and the convenience of commuting to work even though you don't have an office you have to go to?
Is it a thing where you have better self control at a computer if you're not at home?
It is possible to mitigate most annoyances by bringing along extra supplies: power splitters + long power cords for limited access to plugs, your own data card for the unreliable wifi, laptop locks for when using the bathroom, and noise-isolating/canceling headphones for the occasional bad music, and an spare sweatshirt for when the coffeeshop leaves their door open.
Its not for everyone, but it has its merits.
There are, however, books. And magazines.
The "rent" is unbeatable, $1.50 for couple hours of desk space, janitorial service, power, and WIFI. And you got the constant caffeine boost to keep you going. Just put on the headphones and blast away at the codes.
your self control theory might be a part of it although i don't recall doing any less random surfing. and believe me i would notice if some environment helped me tone down my random surfing.
i think just being around people, even (maybe especially) if they have no bearing on my activity, is comforting and helps me focus. at the risk of concocting one of those questionable evolutionary psychology theories, most of our ancestors probably didn't do a lot of productive work in complete isolation?
Now that I'm working at a 2 person startup, I still work from coffee shops ~2 days a week. It's a great change of scenery from the office. I plug in headphones, get a caffeine buzz going, and can be very productive without being distracted.
The coffee shop matters a lot. I disagree with the author's opinion that national chains are best. Starbucks tends to have terrible WiFi, average coffee, and feels soulless. You have to explore your city to find the right balance of WiFi, ambiance, coffee, and power outlets. I was spoiled living in Seattle - I imagine that search takes a bit more effort somewhere like DC :)
GeekAtSea has an excellent post about Seattle coffee shops: http://www.geekatsea.com/best-coffee-shops-in-Seattle
Why? Two reasons --
(1) being at a coffee shop is uncomfortable in such a way that its a constant reminder that I'm there to do work, not get comfortable, relax, etc.. Plus, it keeps me away from regular toys/distractions I might have at home or my desk at work. I probably don't know anyone at the coffee shop, so it means odds are, no one will bother me in person.
(2) I'm the type of person that seems to focus better when there's stuff going on around me, but nothing is glaringly stealing my focus. When I'm at home, I'll sometimes put on an action movie in the background and turn the sound down to a low level so its difficult to pick anything in particular out. The sound and motion helps me focus, for some reason. (Double edged sword, though -- all it takes is one person for me to focus on for whatever reason instead of my work at the coffee shop to shoot my productivity).
Occasionally I'll use it as a place to meet up with friends in similar work-from-anywhere jobs. In fact, I need to start doing that more often.