Abstract
Technology comes in many forms, in particular ‘interactive’ and ‘not-so interactive’. Not all so-called interactive systems are interactive technology: they are not ‘good’ enough. In contrast to typical modern technology, interactive technology is responsibly passive and thereby reduces the opportunity for its users to form incorrect or misguided models of its operation. Passivity is not solely a property of the system design but is relative to the needs and actions of the users of the technology; it depends on the skills, expectations and understanding of the users. As a guide to implementors, passivity also reduces their opportunities to create systems that are obscure to users. It is suggested that a ‘parallel user-interface’, which is outlined, meets the requirements of interactive technology.
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