Method and apparatus for leading a user through a software installation procedure via interaction with displayed graphs

A memory media for controlling a computer to lead a user through a procedure via interactions with information presented on a display, comprising:

• a) means for controlling said computer to display a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
• b) means for controlling said computer to control program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map;
• and
• c) means for controlling said computer to modify said graphical icon associated with said selected task.

A computer system comprising:

• a display;
• a memory including instructions for controlling the computer system to lead a user through a procedure via interactions with information shown on said display;
• and
• a central processor unit (CPU) for operating in conjunction with said instructions and said display, said CPU:
• a) causing said display to show a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
• b) controlling program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map;
• and
• d) causing said display to modify said graphical icon associated with said selected task.