As a first timer, what type for environment should SWIM put himself in for the Lazyman's tek? Is this an indoor process, outside, or mixed? Also, how bad is the smell? Thanks a lot! SWIM really enjoys learning by doing, but there are some things he would rather avoid.

First off, I recommend that you do not follow lazyman's tek. It's not a good one. Go for Noman's if STB is what you're doing.
You can do it indoors, the alkali smell doesn't leave a smell in the room you're doing it in. The naphtha however can, so just leave the dish that you're evaporating in a well ventilated area, keep windows open etc and you'll be fine.