Abstract: An expert availability system provides an integrated approach to providing users of a computer system with assisted help on a specific subject, problem or project as well as indicating expert availability and queue statistics through a graphical applet. The system further offers flexibility in providing direct human interaction by linking a group of experts through a web site. For a specific subject, the system provides two distinct paths to the user, an Education Path and an Expert Assistance Path. The system further provides the user an opportunity to contact an expert through a direct e-mail link, or to chat on-line with an expert and to obtain phone call assistance at the user's request.