The Sudan Open Archive can be accessed on computers running Windows, Unix or Mac OS/X. It is available online and as an external hard drive. The Archive uses open-source Greenstone digital archiving software.

SOA 2.0 is also available on an external USB2 hard drive. This has the same contents and user interface as the online version. Please contact the Archive Director for availability and pricing.

To conduct full-text word searches across the Archive, use the SEARCH THE ARCHIVE box at the top left of each page. Type the search term (or terms) in the box and press Return. Use double quotes to search for a phrase or word sequence. Word searches within documents can be made using SEARCH THE DOCUMENT. The numbers of the individual pages where the word occurs are displayed immediately below the SEARCH THE DOCUMENT box. Click on these to go to the page in question. Detailed searches can be made with Advanced Search.

The Browse Archive button shows documents ordered under subject, date or author categories.

A left-click within a document opens a page to full-screen view; a second left-click returns the page to normal view. There is optional searh term HIGHLIGHTING and THUMBNAIL display. All documents may be printed or saved as PDFs.

The Sudan Open Archive offers free digital access to knowledge about all regions of Sudan. It is an expanding, word-searchable, full-text database of historical and contemporary books and documents. The current version, SOA 2.0, incorporates a comprehensive, interactive guide to internet resources on Sudan.