12. The tutorial system of claim 11 wherein said tutorial monitoring means includes determining means for determining whether said messages include parameters identifying objects in said software product.
11. An interactive online tutorial system product operable in conjunction with a digital processing apparatus for providing instruction in the use of a software product operating on said digital processing apparatus, the digital processing apparatus including an instruction processing unit, a data storage resource, an input system for receiving input from a user, an output system including a video display for providing data output to a user, and a multi-tasking operating system for generating messages to processes installed and running thereunder in response to user input entered via the input system, said tutorial system comprising: a data storage medium operable in conjunction with said digital processing apparatus; first display control means encoded on said medium for generating a tutorial display window in a first portion of the video display for displaying tutorial lesson information; second display control means encoded on said medium for generating a product display window in a second portion of the video display for displaying a software product concurrently with said tutorial lesson information; information presentation means encoded on said medium for presenting said tutorial lesson information in said tutorial display window, said tutorial lesson information including descriptions of user input actions required for operation of a software product displayed in said product window; and tutorial monitor means encoded on said medium for monitoring operating system messages initiated by user input actions and determining whether said messages correspond to predetermined input actions which are intended for said software product and, if true, determining whether said messages should be withheld from said software product.