Searches are performed across all sources of data and depend only upon the context, not the source of the document. As mentioned previously, the user may elect to search only a category when the type of document is known. Tahoe also attempts to select the Best Bet for a search, placing the Best Bet at the top of the result list and identifying it by a special icon. When a user has found the type of information they are interested in on an on-going basis, they can subscribe to the information. Subscribing means that when new documents of that same type arrive, the user will be automatically notified that there is new content waiting.
Notification can be either by e-mail or by indicator in the portal screen while they are logged in.
A subscription can be by document type, a category, or a selection criterion. Every KM system provides a portal as the initial Web access screen. Tahoe is no exception and provides a default screen that is customizable. Often this portal screen becomes the corporate portal for doing daily business. The Tahoe portal is built using Microsoft's Digital Dashboard technology.