Patent ID: 7000187

Claim:
In a computer, an apparatus for providing software training and technical support to an end user, the apparatus comprising: a graphical user interface having selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas; a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface, the graphical overlay including (i) a first step indication associated with a first step in a given task directing the user's attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step and (ii) a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task automatically displayed upon the user's completion of the first step to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, that are highlighted in a manner indicating which step is being performed.