Computers can be...and usually are...used 'between' the controller & actuator, but all that matters with that term is that the direct, 'physical' connetion between the control & the actuator (mechanical linkage and/or hydraulics) are replaced with an electronic signall:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly-by-wire
And I said "widely implemented"; no PRODUCTION military or commercial planes were FBW in 1984, when the A320 came out.
ORIGINAL: dirtybird
I don't think your explanation of fly by wire is correct.
My definition of fly by wire is the pilots control is connected to a computer. When he wants to turn he sends a signal to the computer and then the computer takes over and moves the necessary controls the aircraft requires to do what the pilot wants.
Fly by wire has been used by our military many years before Airbus used it.