Help me understand what to do when I 'research' a plugin that you have not identified as up-to-date
I have a number of "unknown" plugins. ("Google Update" is unknown? Seriously?) Anyway, when I click on the "?Research" button, I get a long list of confusing links. Some seem to be related to updating the plugin but may go back as far as 2008. I don't have time to look at all those links to find out which one is going to tell me whether my current plugin is up-to-date. Is that what you're suggesting I do? Isn't there an easier way?
Here are the plugins I'm being asked to update: IE Tab Plug-in (v. 2.2.0.1) [recently installed], iTunes Application Detector (v. 1.0.1.1), Microsoft Office 2013 (v. 15.0.4703.1000), NPLastPass (v. 3.1.97.0), and Google Update (v. 1.3.28.15). I did 'research' the Google one and did discover that it updates automatically... Can't Firefox just tell me that?
There's this site: http://www.latest-version-plugin.com/ which promises "You can find the Current Version of every Plugin for Mozilla Firefox Here instantly!". Can you work with them to sync with you and provide the information directly?
Thanks for listening.
Modified by KiranC
Chosen solution
Use this link to check that your plugins are up-to-date. If any are listed as unknown or research, do not worry about them.
Any time you want or need to check for upgrades, go to the web site of the True Owner of the program in question. For example, to check out Firefox, go to Mozilla.org. {web link}
Read this answer in context 👍 4All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
Use this link to check that your plugins are up-to-date. If any are listed as unknown or research, do not worry about them.
Any time you want or need to check for upgrades, go to the web site of the True Owner of the program in question. For example, to check out Firefox, go to Mozilla.org. {web link}
Hi KiranC, as far as I can tell, the plugin checker uses data supplied by vendors for these plugins:
- Adobe: Adobe Reader/Acrobat, Shockwave Flash, Shockwave for Director
- Apple: QuickTime
- Cisco: Cisco Web Communicator
- Microsoft: Silverlight
- Oracle: Java
- Real: RealPlayer
- VideoLAN: VLC
Obviously the world of plugins is huge and many more could be added. However, it seems that Mozilla doesn't independently gather data on plugins from either official or unofficial sources, presumably due to limited resources and/or concerns about data quality.
If you would like to get involved with the plugin checker and help with changes, you could indicate your interest here: https://www.mozilla.org/contribute/signup/
Thank you for your response, jscher2000. Your post was mainly helpful in helping me manage my expectations of Firefox and in helping me understand its limitations.
Unfortunately I have neither the time nor interest to get involved with the plugin checker, so I guess I really shouldn't complain.
I do very much appreciate the diligent and dedicated efforts of everyone who contributes to make this browser the awesome platform that it is.
Blessings!
Hi FredMcD, Thanks for your response and your straightforward suggestions. I was relieved to hear that "If any [plugins] are listed as unknown or research, [I need] not worry about them."
It totally makes sense to go to the plugin true owner's website to find out if anyone I'm concerned about is up-to-date.
Blessings!
Glad to help.
Hello,
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