The definition of modes given by Jef Raskin in the Humane Interface (Page 42): >"An human-machine interface is modal with respect to a given gesture when (1) t

The definition of modes given by Jef Raskin in the Humane Interface (Page 42): >"An human-machine interface is modal with respect to a given gesture when (1) the current state of the interface is not the user's locus of attention and (2) the interface will execute one among several different responses to the gesture, depending on the system's current state." According to this definition an interface is not modal if the user is aware of the current mode at all times. I am a vim user and have developed a habit of only ever being in insert mode when I am typing, after each unit of input I return to command mode. Using this approach modal error is very minimal. I then remap away all the modes that cause me issues (record mode is a common cause of modal-error for me).