paynterf:
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?action=search2but it doesn't return any results
That hasn't worked for a long time. The Arduino Webmaster recently told us that they are working their way back to having the on-site search working again.
paynterf:
equivalent to a Google search of the entire inet
No, that's not correct. It adds "site:http://forum.arduino.cc" so you're only searching the forum. However, there isn't really a way to limit your search to a specific forum section with Google and that is something I've wished for at times so I think it will be nice if they get the forum search working again.