plperl extensions

How mature is the plperl language for writing functions and triggers?

Is it fast? (ie: does the interpreter pre-compiles functions and
persists?)

I couldn't find any plperl package in the PG-7.0beta5 (the latest)
debian packages, should I roll my own PG to get it?

Thanks in advance for your help,

PS: I noticed the mbox downloads are broken in the mailing-list archives
on postgresql.org and there is no search interface. I'd be willing to
host one but first I need to be able to download the mboxes ;-)

--
Louis-David Mitterrand - ldm@apartia.org - http://www.apartia.fr