1. A computer readable medium including executable instructions which, when executed, manage information by: defining an information source having a uniform representation of metadata and also including full-text search data (FTSData), wherein the information source can be linked to an underlying information source having a representative file format and the information source can be used to provide additional content for use in searching and indexing operations; calling an intermediate handler to extract metadata and FTSData from the information source; invoking a registered handler to extract metadata and other information from the underlying information source if the underlying information source exists; and, using the metadata and FTSData as part of the indexing and searching operations.