WordPress MU

Hi all! Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the developers of this. LOVE IT!

Anyway, on to my question. Is there a way on the front page to show a list of user blogs (short list) or a list of newest blogs with their links?

Also, is there a way for a search of a blog? I'm working on a community website and it would be create if it had that functionality. I did some searches for the answer to these questions..I just may not have put the right words in.

Thanks in advance!

There is a plugin which provides a set of widgets that do this

http://1uthavi.adadaa.com/new-updated-active-blogs-widgets/

has links to them

Tried to download it and it says invalid file type. Redownloaded it and it said the same.