How do shamans fare in groups/raids?
 

Are they generally a desired class for either?

Well

Well...what?

shamans are usually desired for both groups and raids (this comes from a guy who plays a 60 druid main). Shaman haste/stat buffs/heals/dps are pretty nice for any group. They also have sow and can root CC. Most high end groups will prefer a shaman over a druid, unfortunately. During a raid shaman are desired, but they tend to have the boring job of keeping everyone's stat buffs fresh and redoing haste every few minutes. on the other hand, my druid can dps, buff, pull, kite, root cc, port, etc on a raid. i've never played a shaman, so i can't really say, but i totally hate a small raid without a shaman where i have to keep up str buffs on the melees :P it isn't a tall order, but i just find it annoying and wouldn't want that to be my primary job at a raid

What's a Barb Shamans exp penalty?

Other than stat buffs shamans have a class defining spell - Slow. The Shaman's job in a raid, AFAIK, is slowing the mob and staying alive long enough for the MT to get aggro! And buffing. If Shamans are hasting you must not have an Enchanter :)

For groups Shammies are buffbots yes but I would disagree with "on the other hand, my druid can dps, buff, pull, kite, root cc, port, etc on a raid" - the only thing the Shammy can't do better than a druid is port...

Regards,
Mg

Torpor shaman are kinda a big deal.

So what should my general spellbar consist of? I want one that I don't constantly have to switch out spells for in a raid every 5 minutes. I'm thinking A heal, a slow, a nuke, and 5 buffs.

DD Heal, Torpor, Malo, Turgur's, Canni. I keep regen up too (but I don't have torpor yet.) I usually keep haste and a DD up just in case I need them.