The "The Greatest Mage Post Ever" does make a very awesome relation of the builds according to their best use tho, so I think that's good enough. But for a direct comparation thread, I think something more elaborated then a discussion should be created. A compilation of the conclusions. In the end, it'll problably be almost like a copy/pase of MageSock's talent discussion part of this thread.
But it seems to me that Cranntastic actually wants to know a more personal point of view. Alas, even tho some builds are better then others for a particular circumstances (say 2/48/11 for early raiding for example compared to a frost build), some people still prefer frost, for reasons that may be beyond some of us, which is what I think Crann wants to know.
If that's the case, here goes my answer:
I like frost and fire equally, and every once in a while i bounce between them simply to change the play style a bit for a while. For raiding, I'm usually 2/48/11. I don't see much reason to rely on the über protective capabilities of a frost build for it.
But for anything else, I goes as my mood tells me.
I just read another post (pretty sure it was on the solo mage thread) that shows a nice view of the specs.
Ice gives a lot of confort, because of his effect over the enemy's movement, and because of Coldsnap. Also the double elemental should give you the speed boost to match fire's every once in a while, just as much as a better short range efficiency.
Fire on the other hand is just brutal. You don't have much time to think when playing fire, you just have to play offensively, and yet be very reactive if things don't go as planned. I find it very exciting for that reason.
But idk, I'm rather new to 70 and raiding, so I admit I may be totally off with my view. That's just how I feel when playing the specs with my current gear.