Node is popular not only because it's very fast (yes, it's still pretty darn fast even if there might exist faster alternatives), but because it's JavaScript.
That's an enormous advantage for startups as (a) the JavaScript hiring pool is much larger than most other languages (particularly in comparison to nascent ones, like Go), and (b) the ability to write client- and server-side code in the same language means small teams can be far more integrated and collaborative than otherwise (and if the startup has a single coder, the point is even stronger).
Assuming these benchmarks are accurate and translate into similar results for more complex applications, I'd gladly pay the 10-20% performance penalty to get the above benefits. Node is fast enough for most startups.
I've heard the JavaScript developers are easy to find argument before. However, good JavaScript developers are really hard to find. Especially when you need them to take those skills and run them on the server.
There is a big difference between a jQuery hack and a good JavaScript developer.
This. What attracted me was the fact that Javascript on the server. Javascript for the client, and Javascript for the database (MongoDB) seemed much more appealing than 3 separate languages. (Normally a PHP/MySQL dev)
I think any person who can write an application in Node could also do it in Go, plus if your having trouble attracting good developers, [edit] Go, not node [/edit] should make the position more attractive.
That's an enormous advantage for startups as (a) the JavaScript hiring pool is much larger than most other languages (particularly in comparison to nascent ones, like Go), and (b) the ability to write client- and server-side code in the same language means small teams can be far more integrated and collaborative than otherwise (and if the startup has a single coder, the point is even stronger).
Assuming these benchmarks are accurate and translate into similar results for more complex applications, I'd gladly pay the 10-20% performance penalty to get the above benefits. Node is fast enough for most startups.