In response to an event occurring on a user's computer, a
system, method, and
user interface automatically determine the nature and context of the event, and search a
database for support items, such as other users' comments, suggestions, or answers that are relevant to the event. Events can include, for example, errors, usage problems, or other difficulties with the
software application,
operating system, or hardware. Other resources, such as bulletin boards, discussion groups, websites, and the like, can also be automatically searched for support items using the parameters and context describing the event. The
system and method select those support item or items that are most highly rated by other users as providing accurate, reliable, or otherwise useful information, and that appear to be the most relevant to the event. Also provided, in one embodiment, is a mechanism by which a user can evaluate a support item after he or she has read it.