Abstract: The present invention provides a technical solution for enabling direct, person to person assistance over a communications network. The methods provide product and system support tools enabling, for example, a purchaser of a product or service to execute a computer program on a computer to establish an intelligently routed request for assistance to a human having knowledge in the area of the particular product or service. In one method, a human user couples a computer readable media associated with a product to a computer. A computer program on the computer readable media checks for, and if need be, installs needed software. The program can then establish a connection over a network such as the Internet directly to the help assistance organization appropriate for the particular product or service. The computer readable media can include an indication of the particular product or service and/or the assumed preferred language of the purchaser of the product or service.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating answering requests for help or information between requesters of that help or information and remote helpers selected to answer those requests. In one method, a help facilitator organization or facilitator organization provides and pays for data communication links into educational institutions, classroom located servers and digital devices coupled to those data communication links, and instructors and supervisors to train and supervise students in the classroom. The facilitator organization may receive help requests over the Internet from retail end user requesters or from groupings of corporate employee requesters. The help requests may be routed through the facilitator organization, with students selected to answer the help requests based at least in part on the availability of the students, and on the subject matter mastery of the students. Once selected, a more direct communication link between the requester and the student can be established.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating answering requests for help or information between requesters of that help or information using digital devices and remote helpers selected to answer those requests. In one method, a computer user clicks on a help display object, resulting in a help response message being sent from a remote helper, including a network or Internet address for the helper. Accepting the help response can result in a human helper appearing in a video screen object and providing information or help through video, audio, screen sharing, and remote computer control methodologies. In some methods, a help facilitator organization uses data communication links into educational institutions, classroom located servers and digital devices coupled to those data communication links. The facilitator organization may receive help requests over the Internet from retail end user requesters or from groupings of corporate employee requesters.