ITs really technical. But it does realize which way is which (I can't fully explain except that it does work) however there have been complaints on the rear shock of it not working on small bumps, removing some of the sensativity of having a shock. Either that or it seem late to engage while the ball bearing moves out of the way.
I just bought a manitou SPV Evolve (3 or 4th generation SPV from manitou) and am anxious to test it out. Some complaints in 04 about a stiction feeling but it will be neat to see if they fixed it with an spv revamp.