You can get a few microBTC out of free ad-supported sites but if I understand Bitcoin correctly that creates LOTS of inputs for my future transactions which will make it have fees of 500mBTC per kb, rendering the reaping essentially useless.

Am I missing something? Should I just stay away of these sites?

I know the profit is poor even if no transaction fees were involved but it seemed like a great way to make some of my friends "mine" some microBTC.

Block generation averages 10 minutes and difficulty is adjusted to match that speed, right? That means that buying thing in person will take at least 10 minutes to be confirmed once. Does that mean the Bitcoin will NEVER be an in-person currency? Am I missing something? Will the protocol possibly be modified for this purpose or Litecoin is there to fill the gap?