Use extensions and gnome-tweak tool - probably you can fix your problems with the right extension.
Initially I was also rejected by GNOME 3 but now after adding a few extensions I just love it and it is the best desktop I ever used.
I love win key and Alt-~
dock@gnome-shell-extensions.gnome.org
alternative-status-menu@gnome-shell-extensions.gnome.org
drive-menu@gnome-shell-extensions.gnome.org
apps-menu@gnome-shell-extensions.gnome.org
places-menu@gnome-shell-extensions.gnome.org
Break_Dynamic_Workspaces@rmy.pobox.com
remove-accessibility-icon@martin-weusten.de
Also hacking is relatively simple javascript - I hacked so my dock is always between my screens (I have monitor on the left at work and on the right at home).
Don't compare floating point numbers solely for equality.