PureBlogging

WordPress has just released the public WordPress Plugin Directory where you can browse, download, rate, and comment on all the plugins that have been submitted. Plugins will also now have a permanent download link, because the new directory always takes the latest version and links straight to the download file.

Benefits for users:

• There is now a central place to find and download WordPress plugins.
• You can get a much better idea about plugin quality and compatibility from the site.
• In the future you’ll be able to get notification inside of WordPress about plugins you use that have updates.

Benefits for developers:

• Exposure to the millions of people who visit WordPress.org every month.
• Free SVN hosting for GPL plugin development at wp-plugins.org. (Like always.)
• Automatic download packages and free hosting of those.
• Statistics about how many people are using and downloading your plugins.
• Prominent links to your homepage, and the ability to specify a Paypal donation link from your plugin page.

This is a fantastic development! Check it out today…