3. A data indexing and perusal system comprising: an index module that enables generation of a searchable index of a plurality of selected source files, including HTML files; wherein the searchable index stores word locations of words in the source files, including the starting positions of words in HTML files that can be used to identify and highlight words in HTML files while those files are displayed in HTML format; a search module that enables a search to be performed of the index according to a search criterion to locate words and phrases in the plurality of selected source files; a display utility that displays at least portions of files in the plurality of selected source files that meet the search criterion; and an annotation module that enables users to generate annotations of the plurality of selected source files, the annotations being displayable by the display utility; wherein the annotation module enables designation of a link term and designation of one of the plurality of selected source files to be linked to the designated link term.
3. A data indexing and perusal system comprising: an index module that enables generation of a searchable index of a plurality of selected source files, including HTML files; wherein the searchable index stores word locations of words in the source files, including the starting positions of words in HTML files that can be used to identify and highlight words in HTML files while those files are displayed in HTML format; a search module that enables a search to be performed of the index according to a search criterion to locate words and phrases in the plurality of selected source files; a display utility that displays at least portions of files in the plurality of selected source files that meet the search criterion; and an annotation module that enables users to generate annotations of the plurality of selected source files, the annotations being displayable by the display utility; wherein the annotation module enables designation of a link term and designation of one of the plurality of selected source files to be linked to the designated link term. 4. The data indexing and perusal system of claim 3 , wherein the searchable index comprises a plurality of complementary index files.