What is the function of a directory?

Okay,
I am new around here, and I wanted to know..
What is a "directory" all about./

I mean, how does it help US?
It helps the owner, as we pay x amount to get our links on the directory..
but how is it better for our sites/??

Someone, kindly do explain

Well directory is collection of web link which are either manually or machine collected according to there relevance, so its totally different than a search engine.

BUt, how does it help ME as a listed user there?

Directories were more useful before decent search engines came along. Essentially they are a way of grouping together useful sites in the same area - for example "fly fishing" - and underneath that you could put "holidays", "supplies", etc.

They were more useful to internet users before Google and its like came along because you could find a number of useful sites relatively quickly. For those who listed you could find pre-qualified users quickly.

Now search engines use them for searching, but less than before.

Its seldom you would get traffic from a directory but you can get good back links. Thats helps you to get better ranking in Google. So thats how directories help us.

__________________

I agree with the others, it is pretty useful for our sites to be listed in as many directories as possible and even better if the directory is pretty popular. You get more people finding your site that way. It's just a way to advertise your site.