The older way is finding a custom ROM and installing it and then doing all your apps installs one at a time and doing all your regedits/tweaks one at a time.
The Con is it is much slower and more work. The Pro is you learn more and know exatly what is getting done to your device and control all of it.
As for having to work in the day and trying to resolve an issue, I work in an office and it is a bit easier for me. I bring my things to work to work on while I am here.
