It will never replace the GD extension. Please read the whole thread
before making conclusions (btw, check out http://www.libgd.org).
I didnt mean that way nor as a conclusion, GD is still much faster and so on (but thanks for the link/hint).
It was just an excuse why did I play with magickwand (what Thomas proposed) in case somebody would ask why there is a need for such feature and just respond with "we dont support third-party extension.. if it breaks core then its your own fault" ;)
Aye the lighty stats look "fishy" (lets wait march) but whatever its something Netcraft provides..
Besides getting comments on all other parts but not the initial question? :)
rr