Thanks for posting that, its very interesting.
Something struck me at the beginning of that piece, when he talks about people no longer "wasting time in cafes" - is that because people are no longer able to socialise in public places or because cafes are seen as sinful? - in which case he seems to be glossing over some of the negative aspects of life under Daesh.
He writes that people are safer and women are not being assaulted (in comparison to when FSA or Al-Nusra were in the area). In many warzones, or where male fighters are stationed, whatever side they are on or cause they are fighting for, you will find brothels springing up and/or reports of women being raped. Daesh seems to have used the whole "Jihadi brides" thing and the support they give fighters, and the Yazidi women and children (and others?) enslaved by Daesh, to control this aspect of war. Their fighters maintain discipline - the more family-orientated know that they have a wife and home nearby, so keep on the straight and narrow - the more depraved are given a wife and one or more slaves to rape, but are warned off visiting brothels or assaulting local women. Its all grim.
The stuff he says about stability makes sense - they impose stricter laws, but in return respect land rights, keep the flow of water and oil etc - and so internal resistance is quelled to a certain extent - and that is the only way they can control such a large area.