GIMP Plugin Registry

Hi everyone. I was looking through the plug-in list and noticed a lot of different file extensions that I am not familar with. I would like to know how to install these into windows xp and also a brief discription of what they do. I would also like to have persons make a few recomendations of their best ones. As I become more comfortable using GIMP then I might try more. I am a senior citizen but want to try new things. Any sugestions would be of great help.