GitHub now allows users to clone public repositories over HTTP, providing an alternative for situations where the git port 9418 is blocked, although it is notably slower. This functionality is particularly useful for Ruby on Rails users, as it enables the installation of plugins without requiring Git on their local machines, allowing broader accessibility for users who may not have Git installed. Chris Wanstrath, known as defunkt, highlights this feature with examples, enhancing the ease of access to GitHub-hosted repositories and plugins.