I have a six month old boy and he is crated when we go out. He has his toys, and treats in it, and will go in when he's told. He also sleeps there sometimes too. Because we have children it's his place, they aren't allowed to wake him or play with him when he wants a break, so I think it's ideal.
I personally wouldn't feel safe leaving Indie in a room on his own without his crate - when he was a bit younger, totally out of the blue he chewed through a cable, and he also eats plants given the opportunity - I know some plants are *safe* but he could have choked on it. I don't think there's a room here I'd feel ok with - if he was in a destructive mood, or bored, he could chew on furniture or carpets, he's not even a destructive dog, just a puppy, and can be very unpredictable.
It's all personal choice, but I wouldn't condemn a crate as cruel - they are actually a very safe option, along with puppy pens. Indie's is a metre long, so he has plenty of room. My friend was totally against crates, but after her lab pup chewing through wires, shoes, cupboard doors, she's now a convert! I just think with a puppy you can never say never, at six months Indie's always up to new tricks and I bet Oscar is too :wink: