How to use directories.
Whether to use a directory or a search engine to find resources or information on the Internet is often a personal choice. Browsing a page in a directory is basically similar to retrieving a hand-made listing on a simple search query. You would assume that producing hand-made search results for these queries would lead to a better search experience. In practice the search term is often too simple, the results too restricted and the order in which the results are presented too arbitrary.
Both Google (Open Directory), MSN (Looksmart) as well as Yahoo try to improve their search results by using a large directory in their search as well. Hence, there may be no use going directly to these directories. And the other general directories are often too small to be of interest in your particular topic area.
Alternative general directories.
Subject Directory Guides
Directories