I use python for little utility scripts. I haven't used Ruby so I can't comment on its ease and functionality, but I've heard good things about it so I may check it out. I'm a systems and network engineer, not a developer, so most of my programming and scripting is in the context of systems management and networking. Python has been versatile and convenient language to achieve my goals. Plus, it's what I know, so I tend to lean on it even when some other language might be more appropriate.