News: Mozilla launches plugin checker

**Reverend** · October 14th, 2009, 21:28 PM

Mozilla developers have launched a new online tool that tells Firefox users whether popular add-on components such as Java or QuickTime are up to date.

The new Plugin Check page tests for more than 15 popular plugins right now, and Mozilla plans to add more in the future. "Visitors to the page can see which plugins they have installed and, for any that are outdated, follow an easy link to the update site," wrote Mozilla's "human shield," Johnathan Nightingale in a Tuesday blog posting.

A test version of the site was introduced last week. The final page tests for plugins such as Silverlight, Picasa, iTunes and Acrobat.

Firefox can already check to make sure that add-ons, installed through the addons.mozilla.org Web site, are up to date. But this can't be done with the plugin software targeted by the new Web page, Nightingale said in an e-mail interview. "Plugins like RealPlayer, Flash or Silverlight are pieces of software installed on your machine outside of Firefox's control," he said. "They interact with Firefox, but they are independent software packages, and make their own choices about when and how to update."

Full story: http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...plugin_checker

**rik** · October 15th, 2009, 16:11 PM

Very cool!

**cash_site** · October 19th, 2009, 10:49 AM

doesn't it do this already, with 'find updates'?

**fatalfury** · November 1st, 2009, 03:54 AM

oh, this is very handy.

@cash_site That "Find Updates" button only appears on the extensions and themes menus. It disappears when you click on Plugins.

I know Flash will check for updates on its own. It appears the others don't check, as I have 2 that need updated - Shockwave for Director and RealPlayer.

**cash_site** · November 4th, 2009, 04:05 AM

Ah, thanks for the insight... I've always manually upgraded software and their associated plug-ins... not really a power user of stand-alone stuff.

So Yes, this app would be very helpful

October 14th, 2009, 21:28 PM	#1
Reverend Head Honcho Administrator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: England Posts: 10,934	Mozilla launches plugin checker Mozilla developers have launched a new online tool that tells Firefox users whether popular add-on components such as Java or QuickTime are up to date. The new Plugin Check page tests for more than 15 popular plugins right now, and Mozilla plans to add more in the future. "Visitors to the page can see which plugins they have installed and, for any that are outdated, follow an easy link to the update site," wrote Mozilla's "human shield," Johnathan Nightingale in a Tuesday blog posting. A test version of the site was introduced last week. The final page tests for plugins such as Silverlight, Picasa, iTunes and Acrobat. Firefox can already check to make sure that add-ons, installed through the addons.mozilla.org Web site, are up to date. But this can't be done with the plugin software targeted by the new Web page, Nightingale said in an e-mail interview. "Plugins like RealPlayer, Flash or Silverlight are pieces of software installed on your machine outside of Firefox's control," he said. "They interact with Firefox, but they are independent software packages, and make their own choices about when and how to update." Full story: http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...plugin_checker __________________ =========== Please Read The Forum Rules ===========

October 15th, 2009, 16:11 PM	#2
rik Old, Cranky and Perverted Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Watching Your every move... Posts: 5,299	Very cool! __________________ Spyware Removal Tips \| Read the Forum Rules

October 19th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#3
cash_site Security Intelligence TZ Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Software Paradise Posts: 4,210	doesn't it do this already, with 'find updates'? __________________ --- 0wN3D by 3gG ---

November 1st, 2009, 03:54 AM	#4
fatalfury Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 109	oh, this is very handy. @cash_site That "Find Updates" button only appears on the extensions and themes menus. It disappears when you click on Plugins. I know Flash will check for updates on its own. It appears the others don't check, as I have 2 that need updated - Shockwave for Director and RealPlayer. __________________ The Walrus Bucket Saga Totally Random Pix!

November 4th, 2009, 04:05 AM	#5
cash_site Security Intelligence TZ Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Software Paradise Posts: 4,210	Ah, thanks for the insight... I've always manually upgraded software and their associated plug-ins... not really a power user of stand-alone stuff. So Yes, this app would be very helpful __________________ --- 0wN3D by 3gG ---

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