Does a “vicious side slip” get you down quicker, or is there a perception it might?
Side-slipping will get you down quicker and it should be practiced as a matter of course. I have often used it when I'm overshooting the touchdown area during a forced-landing practice. One piece of advice though - don't practice it when carrying non-pilot passengers. It scares them - ask me how I know!
However, side-slipping is not necessary to improve visibility. The view out the front during a glide approach is perfectly adequate.