:active doesn't work in IE on elements other than links.
:active theoretically works in Konqueror, but the style is removed almost at once;
the browser doesn't wait for the mouseup event.
Originally invented by Microsoft, the a:hover pseudoclass was an immediate hit.
It allows you to define the styles of a link the mouse hovers over. a:active means:
a link that the user clicks on.
Test link for a:hover and a:active.
Since this invention the :hover and :active pseudo-classes have been
ported to all other elements.
Testsheet:
p:hover {font-style: italic;}
p:active {text-decoration: underline;}
a:hover {text-decoration: overline;}
a:active {font-weight: 600;}