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.