Fix. Uninstall google-talk plugin via Synaptics in the repository. From the Google Hangout (where it says you need the plug-in update), download the 32 bit rpm file. In the directory you downloaded the file, presumably Downloads, hit F4 which brings up a terminal, enter su (for superuser), enter your password, then enter rpm -Uhv --nodeps (filename). Hit return/enter. It should read 100% and then Google Hangouts work. 
Worked for me!
Off-topic:
FYI (and, this isn't intended in a surly manner), "su" does not stand for "superuser". It stands for "switch user". It's just that the default (if no other user is defined) is "root", so it will switch you there. It can switch you to any valid account on the system, if you know the credentials...
...and, now, back to you regular programming...
