what is "ActionX" (in plain language if possible.)?

Hi groendog: 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you meant to learn about
"ActiveX" - the internet component technology. If this is not the
case, please let me know using the Clarification Request feature and
provide the context in which you heard of "ActionX".

The following were the best "plain language" definitions of ActiveX
that I could find online.


What is ActiveX?
URL: http://www.active-x.com/articles/whatis.htm
Quote: "ActiveX is a set of technologies from Microsoft that enables
interactive content for the World Wide Web. Before ActiveX, Web
content was static, 2-dimensional text and graphics. With ActiveX, Web
sites come alive using multimedia effects, interactive objects, and
sophisticated applications that create a user experience comparable to
that of high-quality CD-ROM titles. ActiveX provides the glue that
ties together a wide assortment of technology building blocks to
enable these 'active' Web sites."

Working with ActiveX
URL: http://www.insteptech.com/techlibrary/vbactive.htm
Quote: "ActiveX is the set of technologies that allow separately
compiled components to communicate with one another. It allows you to
develop components in many different languages such as VC++, Java,
Excel, and Visual Basic and have all of the components work together."

What is ActiveX? Does it pose any risks?
URL: http://slush.virtualave.net/active.htm
Quote: "ActiveX is a technology developed by the Microsoft Corporation
for distributing software over the Internet. Like Java Applets, an
ActiveX 'control' can be embedded in a Web page, where it typically
appears as a smart interactive graphic. A number of ActiveX controls
are available for the Microsoft Internet Explorer (the only browser to
support them so far), including a scrolling marquee, a background
sound generator, and an ActiveX control that executes Java applets."

What is ActiveX?
URL: http://www.oracledbaexpert.com/activex/01.html
Quote: "ActiveX controls are small programs which can run inside a web
browser or other program such as Word or Excel. ActiveX is a set of
related technologies created by Microsoft and others which enables web
designers and developers to create interactive, multimedia content for
the internet."


More details (and technical information) on ActiveX can be found at:

ActiveX Controls
http://www.microsoft.com/com/tech/ActiveX.asp

ActiveX Tutorial
http://www.techiwarehouse.com/Active_X/ActiveX_Tutorial.html


I hope that this information has been of help in your search.   
 
If you need any clarification of the information I have provided,
please ask using the Clarification feature and provide me with
additional details as to what you are looking for. As well, please
allow me to provide you with clarification(s) *before* you rate this
answer.
  
Thank you.   
  
websearcher-ga   
  
  
Search Strategy (on Google):   
  
ActiveX
"What is ActiveX" 
"What is ActiveX" basically
ActiveX tutorial

THANK YOU!!!! Having trouble with computer at work. Disabled ActiveX
not sure what it was but it seemed to be causing problems. Didn't know
if I had just disabled some essential part of system. Thank you. I am
your slave.

Hi groendog:

I'm not sure slavery is condoned by the Google Answers Editors - but I
certainly appreciate the sentiment (and the generous tip)! :-) :-)

Thanks. Glad I could help. 

websearcher-ga