have you ever traded at Panera bread from your laptop?...I've traded from Barnes & Nobles and FEDEX Kinkos on my laptop...how did it work for you?
Panera has decent food. Just be sure there's nobody parked outside the restaurant in a van that has parabolic antennas on the roof pointed at you!
I would not trade on an unsecured connection unless absolutely needed. I went ahead and got a Verizon USB Wireless card to avoid any situation like this. This is what I use - http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...t&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=2849 - it's nice that it's a USB connection so you have some flexibility on what computer can use it.
Make sure you tell them you are using an ECN and you want QOS on your WiFi for a nominal fee before you start your scalping or you might get scalped if the WiFi burps and you lose your exit.
I usually trade from starbucks...or school...or home....or Bar...or a lounge...you get the point....does not matter where you trade from....it is how well you do it. Trading for yourself is not like an office where you can start a conversation with a person that you dont even like. It is different in the real world. If you want some company while you trade......well sorry no Ideas...tough luck.