Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for improving a user's ability to direct the computer to perform a desired function. A single uniform input control is provided that receives user input, such as from a keyboard. The present embodiment then parses the user input to determine its input type and whether the input type corresponds to a single, recognized action performable by the computer and, if so, performs the action. Such recognized actions include navigating to an Internet site and composing an e-mail message. If the input type does not correspond to a single recognized action, the user input is submitted to at least one text processor, such as a natural language processor, that analyzes the user input to obtain at least one interpretation corresponding to an action performable by the computer. The at least one interpretation is returned to the user who may select a desired action from among the listing of interpretations.