Abstract: An integrated wizard user interface displays information in an improved manner. Visual cues are selectively applied to a user interface panel, serving to de-emphasize the panel content presented in those portions. In preferred embodiments, the visual cues comprise translucent shading which “overlays” portions of the panel. The user's attention is thereby directed toward the non-shaded area, and guidance corresponding to the non-shaded area is presented for assisting the user in interacting with information in that area. The user can thereby receive guidance in the context of the same panel he will use later, when he does not require guidance.

Abstract: A technique, system, and computer program for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility. Templates containing field names and possible default values are stored for each available task for this user, preferably in a memory cache or disk cache. When the user enters a value or pattern into a field of the search criteria, this value or pattern is retained. When a subsequent search is requested, the retained values are checked to determine if the user already entered values for any fields of the now-current template. If so, then those values are automatically filled in for this current template. The user is allowed to override any of the filled-in values, and these overrides will also become retained values. Retained values are cleared when the user exits the search facility, or when the user explicitly requests to clear the values.