1. A method for conducting an expert conversation, the method comprising: constructing a knowledge database comprising a dialogue repository comprising a plurality of dialogues, each dialogue representing a framework for creating at least one expert conversation and comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges extending between pairs of nodes; and using the dialogue repository in combination with a runtime dialogue system executing on a computing system and in communication with the knowledge database to conduct the expert conversation between the runtime dialogue system and a user based on a given dialogue selected from the plurality of dialogues by presenting comments and questions derived from nodes in the given dialogue to the user, inputting data from the user in response to the presented comments and questions and identifying appropriate edges at each node based on the inputted data, wherein the expert conversation comprises a directed acyclic graph constructed from the nodes and edges of the selected dialogue.
1. A method for conducting an expert conversation, the method comprising: constructing a knowledge database comprising a dialogue repository comprising a plurality of dialogues, each dialogue representing a framework for creating at least one expert conversation and comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges extending between pairs of nodes; and using the dialogue repository in combination with a runtime dialogue system executing on a computing system and in communication with the knowledge database to conduct the expert conversation between the runtime dialogue system and a user based on a given dialogue selected from the plurality of dialogues by presenting comments and questions derived from nodes in the given dialogue to the user, inputting data from the user in response to the presented comments and questions and identifying appropriate edges at each node based on the inputted data, wherein the expert conversation comprises a directed acyclic graph constructed from the nodes and edges of the selected dialogue. 12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of constructing the knowledge database further comprises using a web-based dialogue authoring tool running on a computing system to provide for author access to the dialogues in the knowledge database, the web-based dialogue authoring tool in communication with the knowledge database and at least one web browser.