MC 7
 
I can drag plugins from the plugin browser onto a track, which apparently makes the plugin active. but i can find no way to list all of the active plugins on a track. the help talks about an FX rack on the MixStrip, but i don't see that  (yes, i've selected it on the "Display" menu). the help also talks about a list of FX on the individual tracks, but i don't see that and i don't see how to active it.
 
what's going on here?

Welcome to the forum.
I've never done it like that; I usually put the effects in the FX bin.
But I just tried it and in SONAR X3, there is a little symbol (looks like an F) in the upper right of the clip. Clicking that shows what effects are in the track.
I hope it's similar in MC 7.
Good luck!

Effects are displayed in the Track View and Console View FX Racks.

 
To see the FX rack in the Track View
Click the Advanced button (pointed to by arrow 1)
It may be necessary to drag the sash (pointed to by arrow 2) to the right to show the FX Rack
 
To see the FX rack in the Console view make sure the module is selected in the Module Menu pointed to by arrow 3.
 
To open an FX UI click the name of the plug-in in the FX Rack. There is a power button to the left of the name to turn the plug-in off/on. Right-click in the FX Rack and + in the upper right of the FX Rack open the FX Rack menu.