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By and large, modal interfaces suck big rocks. On the other hand, I can't think of a better way to handle File Open..., or Print... and this, I think, is because
Let's put together a little style-guide. Suggest any use-cases in which a dialog is the preferred presentation and why it is preferred. Can the dialog be non-modal? If it is, how do you mark transactional boundaries, since Cancel ceases to have a clear meaning. Do you use an Apply button, for example?
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Use modal dialogs to ask for information that, when provided, could significantly lessen users' work or effort. Modals can work effectively when the information being requested or presented is relevant or can streamline the completion of the current task.
Modals (also known as modal windows, overlays, and dialogs) are large UI elements that sit on top of an application's main window—often with a layer of transparency behind them to give users a peek into the main app. To return to the application's main interface, users must interact with the modal layer.
Modal windows are horrible, they interrupt the user's workflow, demand attention and block important information on the screen. The belief is that when users see a modal, they get scared and completely forget what they've been doing.
The keyboard will pop up and cover a chunk of the screen, forcing users to have to scroll awkwardly to see the what they're typing. If you want users to view your modal window content with ease, avoid using modal windows on your mobile site. Use an inline accordion instead.
IMO, modal interfaces should only be used when you HAVE to deal with whatever the dialog is doing or asking before the application can continue. Any other time, if you're using a dialog, it should be non-modal.
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