Automattic and WordPress have come a long way.
With more and more development, Automattic has added more and more functionality to both the WordPress.org application that users can download and install to self-host their own WordPress sites and WordPress.com.
Back in March 2011, Automattic began encouraging self-hosted WordPressers to install and activate the JetPack plugin, which runs on the WordPress.com cloud.
In the FAQ, Automattic says the following:
"Back in the day, there were great features available to WordPress.com users that were not available on self-hosted WordPress installs. Jetpack is a plugin that connects to WordPress.com and enables awesome features, powered by our cloud infrastructure."
JetPack combines several functions that used to only be available to self-hosted WordPress sites through external plugins. Currently, these functions include:
Subscriptions - allow your visitors to sign up to receive notifications by email, which may alleviate your need for plugins to connect to sites like Feedburner. Spelling and Grammar - the plugin, After the Deadline , is integrated to help you with spelling, grammar and style WordPress.com Stats - keep track of visitors to your site, which may alleviate your need for a plugin to connect to Google Analytics. Sharing - allows you to aggregate your content to several popular social media sites VaultPress - backup your site ( not free ) Gravatar Hovercards - when a person hovers over an avatar, a pop-up with user information shows Shortcode Embeds - embed content from YouTube, Vimeo, Slideshare and others WP.me Shortlinks - allows you to use the wp.me short link, which may alleviate the need for a plugin that allows you to connect with sites like Bit.ly. Beautiful Math - allows you to use the Latex markup language Extra Sidebar Widgets - easily add Twitter updates, links, images, etc. to your site's sidebar(s), which may alleviate your need to add plugins to extend your options for other types of widgets. Enhanced Distribution - aggregate to search engines and other services in real-time, which may alleviate your need for plugins like Google Sitemaps
Since it's inception over two years ago, the folks at Automattic have continued to enhance and upgrade JetPack to include even more functionality, like:
Toolbar Notifications - allows you to manage your site’s activity Publicize - connect to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter JetPack Comments - has integrated social media options Likes - a Facebook-styled feature that allows user to show their appreciation for your content with having to leave time-consuming comments Carousel - transform the standard WordPress gallery feature into a full-screen, image overlay experience, which may alleviate your need for plugins like NextGen Gallery Omnisearch - allows you to set up many different ways for your visitors to search your site, which may alleviate the need for a plugin that allows you to connect to Google search Contact Form - allows you to create simple forms, which may alleviate your need for plugins like Contact Form 7 or Gravity Forms Tiled Galleries - allows you to create magazine-styled, mosaic layouts, which can also alleviate the need for plugins like NextGen Galleries Custom CSS - allows you to create unique styles for your theme and may alleviate the need for other plugins that offer the same functionality Mobile Theme - automatically optimizes your site for mobile devices and may alleviate the need for plugins like WordPress Multi Site Mobile Edition Photon - allows you to take advantage of WordPress.com as a CDN at no additional charge, possibly alleviating the need to pay sites like MaxCDN or Amazon Web Services a monthly charge JSON API - allows you to allow other sites to connect to your site so they can access your content Mobile Push Notifications - allows you to receive messages about activity on your site on our Apple devices. JetPack Debugger - lets you find out why JetPack isn't working properly with your site and lets you support support tickets to get help from your site's Dashboard.
If you install and activate JetPack, then make sure to deactivate and delete other plugins that do the same things as the functionality available in JetPack.
Fewer plugins means a faster-loading site and less drain on your server.
If the past is any indication of the future of JetPack, there's a good chance that Automattic will be adding even more features and functionality to JetPack in due time, so make sure that when there's an update for the plugin you take care of it right away.
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/automattic-s-jetpack-alleviates-the-need-for-some-wordpress-plugins-updated?cid=roadrunner