Activating FileVault - a good (ie trouble-free) idea?

I'm probably about to buy a MacBook to replace a recently deceased iMac G5. I'd previously avoided using FileVault as I didn't set it up when I got the machine and there wasn't enough disc space on the HD when I later contemplated using FileVault. I was thinking of doing things differently this time and enabling FileVault from the get-go.
However, I was told by someone that FileVault can cause more problems than it's worth, including compatibility issues. Is this true? I won't be sharing my Mac with anyone and it's purely for home use, not to become part of a LAN.
One other question: I'm going to be restoring my iMac user folder from my TimeMachine backup when I get the MacBook. If I turn on FileVault beforehand, will my restored user folder subsequently be encrypted?
Thanks.

I don't know exactly what your privacy protection needs are, but you may not need to encrypt
your entire user's home folder. If you do then filevault may be a good solution.
Other solutions you may want to look at are
1. True Crypt
http://www.truecrypt.org/
2. encrypted disk images
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21118?viewlocale=en_US
(Actually file vault uses an encrypted disk image.)
3. PGP (a commercial product)
http://www.pgp.com/products/wholediskencryption/index.html
4. Kj's openssl file encryption scripts
http://www.azlist.info/kj/mac/supportfiles/encryption/scripts/cryptxxx.zip
These are four scripts you can copy to your /usr/bin directory
to make short work out of encrypting files on the fly.
Kj

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