Relation Between Internet Directories and Search Engines

Hi,

I am new to this SEO world. I want to know what are Internet Directories and Search Engines. How they are interrelated and how they help SEO. Can anybody help me please.

Search Engines is like a library that billions of records(website links). It is used by people to search for a particular subject in the cyberspace.

you basically submit to them and get traffic from them. thats the general idea.

I have a list of directories at my signature.
The most powerful is dmoz.org. cuz its related to Google

A way of distinguishing the difference between search engines and web directories is the amount of CONTROL you have over them.

Search Engines:
They control you - your seo efforts are centred around getting listed in them and if you submit to a search engine you hope you are indexed and experience results.

Directories:
You control them: They depend on people to submit their websites to them so that their visitors have content. With most free directories you can submit your website and its listed instantly.
With DMOZ (THE Internet directory), you submit your site to the best suited category and you wait for them to email you saying that your site is worth beinng listed.

The relationship:
Having your site on directories gives you inbound links - The more inbound links (amongst other seo aspects) the higher your possible ranking in search engines.

Search engine are websites used by surfers to find anything they want in the cyberspace while directory are list websites.