Define "easy for a non-webdev," because implementing a jQuery plugin isn't something I could tell my friends to do on their normal Wordpress blog.
My solution isn't "better" (nor easier to implement, due to how implemented social buttons handle social counts) because for this purpose because I primarily implemented my own buttons for performance/aesthetic reasons.
By "implementing a jQuery plugin" you mean "copy and pasting a few lines of code, like it says in the instructions"? I'm sure you can appreciate that some people have the skill to do that, but not the skill to come up with a new solution from scratch.
Also, I was genuine above when I said that, if you have a better solution, you should publicize it. Any reason why your method can't be done just as easily, if the code was out there?
Oh! I have a suggestion for Wordpress users: Try WPSocialite.[1] I put a slightly modified version at mightygodking.com. I should send that mod upstream...
My solution isn't "better" (nor easier to implement, due to how implemented social buttons handle social counts) because for this purpose because I primarily implemented my own buttons for performance/aesthetic reasons.