1 - Hmmm, never actually searched for the note contents themselves so can't say anything there. I normally just used the jump function to go to the next markup (which is still extremely fast). While you can search "highlighted text" as far as I've used it it just for finding that text again in the document.

2 - No idea though you would think there would be some way to do it for a clever, clever person.

3 - The two visual display controls are "contrast" (darkens or lightens the background screen compared to the letters) and "brightness" (increases and decreases the backlighting). Good thing too since it changes as the temperature and time in use changes.

In fact, it was this unit that got me fully hooked on ebooks. It went anywhere (yes, readable in full sun but not as nearly as readable as Sony or Irex), holds a good charge (for what it is), a decent sized display and is still more comfortable to hold for long periods than the Sony reader (for my hands) since it's easy to switch the LARGE page buttons to either side of the reader so you can switch from left to right and back again.

Another plus is that it's fairly rugged with a sturdy plastic and rubber body so it's easy to lug around. Again, not as easy of most e-ink if weight is a major concern but not enough to notice in a bag with other items in it anyway.

Downsides are the display (of course) since it is limited to a coarse LCD, storage media (removable is a SmartMedia card, not as available as all the others anymore though it can still be gotten), direct bright light readability (possible but some shadowing on the display is preferable).

That said, I still use it even though the current favorite at home is the Sony eReader (and now with the latest 2.8, Illiad is starting to give those come-hither looks) since it still does what it needs to (display text information) very well, making it great for manuals and guides as well as general reading.