Very nice points. I do have one scenario where I bust out that $.50 min bet.

It goes like this - I have a strong hand, I know my opponent is chasing the flush/straight. He misses on the river, I know I've won and I know if I bet, he will fold.

Let's say the pot is $15. I will bet $.50. He knows he's lost, so he doesn't want to call anything, he also knows that it's only $.50 and the pot is at $15, and to fold to that bet is as ridiculous as calling that bet knowing he will lose. So what does the opponent do?

He re-raises and makes a pathetic attempt at buying the pot. lol.

That $.50 bet can induce a bluff, which is exactly what I want him to do. Other than that, I rarely use the minimum bet for all the reasons you mentioned.