This is a big problem with all of these free open source projects like Drupal, Joomla, WordPress, etc.. However, the upside of it is, so much of it is free, and you can’t argue with that.
The best way to tell if software is being maintained or not is to look at the last update date right in the right column on the plugin page, as well as its WordPress compatibility level. Also check and see if the maintainer is answering recent issues or not either here or on their own supporting Web site. it’s worth taking the time to check out their site if they have one, especially if the last update if more than 6 mos old.
If you’re going on a year since the last update, and there have been numerous WordPress updates in the meantime like in the past year, you can pretty much bet the plugin is not being upkept and it might not work or at least have some issues — or will soon enough. I installed this Tniy MCE pluging a few months ago, and it worked ( if buggily), and now with upgrades, it has stopped working altogether.
Anyways, I am now checking out WP Super Edit, which appears to have better features and was updated a week ago.
https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/wp-super-edit/
Also check out the CK Editor based on FCK editor, an excellent editor I use on some Drupal sites and elsewhere.
https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/ckeditor-for-wordpress/
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