I was most pleased to see a post again from Chuck as I have both enjoyed reading his contributions and posts over the years.
To a hobby pilot, it's always seems interesting that this still a subject of much debate. In training some years ago, I was taught both methods.
In the cirrus I now fly, the poh is clear at least in advising pilots to avoid 'prolonged slips ' on final approach.
I have to admit I find crabbing in most comfortable but I start to straight with rudder and get into wing aileron down just a bit before I enter the flare. This means that I have everything just beginning to move in the right directions and I continue this into flare and hold off. I found that especially in strong crosswinds it made my landings smoother.
I think that the slip is easier when less experienced, as the final approach picture looks more familiar in the last 300 feet. At least it did for me.
I am reading stick and rudder at the moment.