To EJB, or not to EJB?

I've found myself asking this question, what advantages does EJB bring?

Googled a lot, found a lot some bulleted lists repeated across many sites, but not so easy to find the real reasons that might drive a person to consider EJB in regard to other options.

Finally, I've found a really a good article from Humphrey Sheil that was written at the year of 2000. It encompasses the fundamental questions that one should ask ourselves while looking at this technology even after a decade has passed.

Below is the introduction:

To EJB, or not to EJB: that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind, to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous licensing;

Or to take arms against a sea of potential overheads and features,

And by opposing end them? To roll your own: to reinvent the wheel;

No more; and by reinvent, to say, we continue

The heart-ache of low-level systems maintained in-house,

and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be avoided.

You can read the whole article at this location: http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-12-2001/jw-1207-yesnoejb.html?page=1