The library support for data science with python has improved a lot in the last few months... There are lots of shiny new options for web development, but I think python is gaining momentum rather than losing it for data analysis and scientific programming.
I expect that user base will increase even faster after Wes McKinney's "Python for Data Analysis" book is published.
Agree. I just started doing scientific computing in python/scipy/numpy/matplotlib and it is fantastic. I see python going nowhere but up in the scientific community.
Python is now totally dominant in scientific domains. The typical user is interested in ease of use and mature libraries, not in speed or niceties that are debated on Lambda the Ultimate.
I expect that user base will increase even faster after Wes McKinney's "Python for Data Analysis" book is published.