Interactive Placement was introduced into Maya 8 (or 8.5), when Autodesk released their first version. This is a 3D Studio Max feature and most sole maya users do not like (I dont), and it created a lot of turmoil as ppl started thinking that it could spell the end of Maya, as they are integrating Max features, like the X Y Z in the top right of the menu bar in Maya 8.5/2008.

Its all relative, i dont like it, but i know a few here do. So its the first thing turned off when maya is installed. I think it was Autodesk putting their mark on the newly aquired software. But its not all been bad, look at the Nucleus system, Very Nice