1. A method of accessing multimedia data comprising the steps of: defining a catalogue for said multimedia data having a plurality of catalogue elements each of which is associated with a portion of said multimedia data; specifying a search request; identifying a result of said search request that satisfies said search request, said result containing one or more of said catalogue elements; retrieving said portion of said multimedia data associated with said one or more of said catalogue elements; storing said search request; and storing said search result.