Abstract: A system and method for persistent selection of objects across multiple directories is presented. A user uses a computer system that includes a persistent selection manager to place objects (e.g., files) from multiple directories into a persistent selection state. For each selected object, the persistent selection manager creates a ghost object, which references the original object placed in a permanent selection state, and places the ghost object in a persistent folder. In addition, the persistent selection manager creates a visual overlay for the object that indicates that the object is in the persistent selection state. Once the user is finished placing objects in the persistent selection state, the user may invoke an action on the set of permanently selected objects. The persistent action instructs the persistent selection manager to perform the action on each object corresponding to the ghost objects that are located in the persistent folder.

Abstract: Provided are methods for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the methods comprising the steps of: determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task; contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a next task step; and detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window. Also provided are systems and computer program products for implementing the methods of the present invention.