1. A method for displaying help information using a help information program to a user of a first application running on a computer having an identifiable active context, said help information program being external to said first application, and a second non-running application, said second application having a non-active context said second application being external to said help information program and said first application, said method comprising the steps of: identifying said active context corresponding to said first application and identifying said non-active context corresponding to said second application; identifying a user selection about which help information is sought; determining whether said user selection corresponds to said active or said non-active context; constructing a help information menu corresponding to said user selection; and displaying said help information menu to the user without interrupting said first application.