1. A method for assisting a user in selecting one or more items from an item set that best match a set of target preferences, the method comprising: obtaining information from the user about that user's set of target preferences, using direct questions; generating at least one list of items selected from the item set that will best meet the set of target preferences based on the information provided; and generating a display including the list of items and explanations for at least one item on the list of items explaining how well attributes of the at least one item match the set of target preferences.