Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention integrates virtual user communities (e.g., forums, example exchanges, etc.) with on-line support information or documentation pertaining to tasks (e.g., installation or use of a software product, use of a consumer product, etc.) a user is attempting to perform. The community is integrated with the support information and automatically provided to the user. Only information relevant to the user task is provided from the community. The user may further interact with the community through the task support interface.

Abstract: A state-based guidance system provides to a user operation guidance and technology guidance for an application. The system walks the user step-by-step through an existing interface and guides the user to provide the appropriate input in the appropriate places in the existing interface. Individualized guidance is dynamically provided based on a user profile in addition to state and context of the application. The system describes the technologies used to perform actions presented in the user interface of the application and indicates where these technologies are used, providing an overview of which technologies are used in the application and in what capacity those technologies are implemented.