Very Computer

I just set up my box with Apache, to learn first hand about httpd,
and the first thing I notice is that, even after I've tried to
tweak it, it is abysmally slow in normal mode. In debug mode (-X
flag), however, it flies. Does anybody have any clue as to where
I should look for an explanation of that behaviour?

Right now, it is unusable, so your comments will be appreciated.

Olivier Lefevre