16. A method of performing searches of a plurality of data sources that each includes at least one data item, the searches performed using relevance feedback from previous searches, said method comprising: presenting a first search result of the data sources to a user, the first search result obtained using an adaptive search engine, based on a first search query, wherein the search result includes at least one file identifier that corresponds to at least one data item in ranked order based on a relevancy ranking of the data item with respect to the first search query; receiving, from the user, a selection of one of the at least one file identifiers; presenting the data item corresponding to the selected file identifier for viewing by the user; unobtrusively monitoring an addition of a note to a note panel associated with the first search query by the user, the note including at least a portion of the selected data item, the at least a portion of the selected data item selected via copying and pasting or dragging and dropping of the note into the note panel, wherein the at least a portion of the selected data item is determined by the user to be relevant to the first search query; associating the addition of the note with an increased relevancy ranking with respect to the first search query as the note is added to the note panel; storing the at least a portion of the selected data item in the note panel associated with the first search query such that the note panel is accessible at a future time by at least one of the user and a second user; providing the at least one of the user and the second user with the at least a portion of the selected data item when responding to a second search query similar to the first search query by locating and accessing the note panel associated with the first search query.
17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the first search query comprises at least one keyword.