In my case, if I want ethernet it's because I want faster performance (reliably/continuously high bandwidth, and reduced latency and jitter) than my WiFi network can provide. But I've only been able to get that with a thunderbolt-connected ethernet adapter. Every USB one I've tried has been a disappointment.

I don't disagree that the uses you describe make them helpful in those circumstances, but I can't recall ever needing to do any of that myself. I'm happy with the built-in Wifi adapter and its drivers, and all modern routers can be configured/set up over WiFi, can't they? They create a default network when first turned on, or if you factory-reset them using the physical reset button.