What is the “next generation plugin” for Java

Question

What is the "next generation plugin" for Java and how is it different from the classic plugin?

Strangely, there is only one generic plugin on Mac OS X, so is this distinction only on Windows, or does linux also have two plugins?

I also noticed that Firefox is only telling me to update the classic plugin, so I must wonder how different the two plugins are if only one can be compromised. Or else Firefox is making a mistake, and they're both vulnerable.

I am also interested if this distinction affects any Applets adversely.

Answer 1

What is the "next generation plugin" for Java and how is it different from the classic plugin?

See the applet info. page for a link to the page describing it.