Since it first came out I’ve been installing the WordPress.com Stats plugin on nearly every site I build. It’s a very popular plugin because it provides a quick overview of site traffic and related information – all from the WordPress Dashboard.

A few months back I’d heard rumors that Automattic was working on a replacement for this plugin and that it was going to ditch the Flash based stats for the more modern Flot (jQuery) charts. Needless to say I was very excited at the prospect.

The wait was finally over last week when Automattic released Jetpack, a plugin suite that contained, among other things, the new Stats application. Installing it was easy – the usual plugin install procedures, and activating it was easy too. I simply had to log in with my WordPress.com account and grant access. A few moments later I was staring at the beautiful new stats.

Most won’t get as excited about the new stats as I did, but it may not matter. Late Twitter and the WordPress forums we abuzz with people angry that their stats stopped working, and instead received this message:

Your WordPress.com account, xxxxx is not authorized to view the stats of this blog.

So it seems likely that the old stats plugin is being replaced by the Jetpack Suite. And while the move is far from being universally accepted (In general, people fear change), I for one am happier for it. Along with the new stats come a few other (somewhat useful) plugins:

• Twitter Widget – display twitter feed (replaces what you’re currently using)
• Gravatar Hovercards – Enhances Gravatars – if you use them.
• WP.me Shortlinks – if you like wp.me shortlinks.
• Sharedaddy – Social media sharing. Option to add your own.
• LaTeX Markup language for math formula types.
• After the Deadline Nice proofreading feature – spelling, style, and grammar.
• Shortcode Embeds – Easy shortcode embeds for popular video sites like YouTube and Vimeo.

Bottom Line: I’d recommend everyone install it. If only for the sweet new Stats.