[bityard]

Around the time I was first learning Linux, I recall reading that there were two ways to run a service:

1. Start the daemon on boot and have it running all the time, like some undereducated neanderthal.

2. Configure your system to run a daemon which monitors a port/socket and starts up only when there is traffic, like a civilized person.

I believe which one of these to use is highly dependent on your resources, usage, and deployment model. For services that are fast and cheap to start but are rarely used, #1 makes more sense. If you have a server or VM which only does one thing (very much the norm, these days), then running just keeping that service running all the time is easier and better for performance.