A Guide to Deploying Rails Applications
The only time when I slow down a bit is when I create and deploy a new project. If I saved the time somehow I could spend this time solving business problems instead.
More sage advice.
The way I see it, the advantages of SHSPs are as follows:
runs everywhere (or at least everywhere on Unix and since I consider Windows to be nowhere...)
slo-o-ow
goofy
Now most rational people would consider points 2 & 3 to be drawbacks, but as far as I can tell they are flat-out requirements for any popular Web-based technology.