Task-based architecture for application-aware adjuncts

Users of complex applications need advice, assistance, and feedback while they work. We are experimenting with `adjunct' user agents that are aware of the history of interaction surrounding the accomplishment of a task. This paper describes an architectural framework for constructing these agents. Using this framework, we have implemented a critiquing system that can give task-oriented critiques to trainees while they use operating system tools and software applications. Our approach is generic, widely applicable, and works directly with off-the-shelf software packages.