the_jwj on "Custom Searching..."

I got my issue solved with a custom SQL Query but was just wondering if anyone out there knows of more of a 'built-in' way to customize the search feature for Wordpress sites. I had a client that insisted on filling in Descriptions of a custom taxonomy and then was not happy when said taxonomy did not show up in a search. I had to add results to the existing search results by running my query specifically checking the taxonomy description field for the search keyword.

Thoughts for the future?

Thanks in advance!