Understanding anything depends on knowing the context and how it is related to other elements in its context. Some recent work has focused on ways to enable any reader of any text to find explanations conveniently, as if sitting in a reference library, of any unfamiliar name, place, institution, topic, or event. Explanations can be provided through a specialized interface using search and retrieve protocols with a range of recommended resources. To provide an effective structure we have been distinguishing What, Where, When and Who because these facets have different resources genres and specialized display requirements.

Experimental prototype interfaces will be presented. The technical problems of creating and deploying a 4W structure will be discussed based in part on an attempt to enhance short biographical texts with an event-based 4W structure.