CompuServe Messages

One thing I think we have to be careful of is confusing indexing with interactivity. Playing 'devil's advocate' some more, I think that 'interactive' media frequently is no more than a database. The advantage I find to looking up a word in the Oxford English Dictionary vs. a computer version of the same thing is that while looking up 'philosophy' I might happen to find out what 'philology' is when I didn't even know I was interested in philology. Or, that while checking to see what time 'MASH' is on via TV Guide, I see a special on Computer Animation will be airing. We have to remember that data is not information unless you ask the right questions; and the 'question-asking' ability of any 'interactive' stuff I've seen is sorely lacking. Maybe what would help is a 'randomize' function… to let one browse on a hunch, rather than search on a certainty. Any comments?