17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: dynamically analyzing a context in which said first item appears; and based on said context, displaying said similar items so that the similar items displayed first are those most appropriate to replace said first item.
11. A method of providing access to a database, said method comprising: applying a recursive annotation function to a first item in a main application; with said recursive annotation function, responsive to a cursor's position, identifying a target item; searching a database for items similar to said target item; providing an indicator, near said target item's position, to show that similar items from said database may be displayed; and providing, near said target item's position, an icon for sending a command for display to a recursive pop-up display function; with said recursive pop-up display function, responsive to said command for display, displaying said similar items in a pop-up window, near said target item's position; applying said recursive annotation function to said similar items, wherein any one of said similar items may become said target item for said recursive annotation function; and responsive to a command for replacement, replacing said first item with an item from said database.