very confused

I'm trying to learn how to use Digikam because it looks like it has a 
good finder for similar/duplicate images.


However, I'm finding myself entirely frustrated trying to figure out how 
to use it.  The thing that frustrates me is the idea of "albums."


Intuitively, I would expect this program to give me a folder tree view 
window from which to select which folders to include in a search for 
duplicates, and then a result window from which to select which 
duplicates to keep and which ones to delete.


Instead there is a complicated system of "albums" wherein folders are 
imported or watched using a database I think?


I can't seem to easily select which folders I want to search in without 
going through a huge, complicated and risky process of folder and file 
management which might delete and destroy the folders I store my images 
in.  I DO NOT WANT the program to make any copies into new folders on my 
OS drive nor do I want it to start automatically assuming the folders I 
input last time are still there since much of my work is to be done on 
removable drives.


I don't want the program to move, cut, copy, or delete anything without 
my express permission.  However, I have already lost one huge folder due 
to the difficulty in managing settings for this program.  Thank goodness 
I had a backup on another drive but it could have been a disaster.


How do I run the program and easily tell it when and where I want it to 
look for duplicates without having to go through hundreds of files, 
folders and disks trying to figure out what to include or exclude?  It 
seems very laggy trying to constantly import or rescan so many folders 
just to make the selection even before image comparisons are made 
especially with folders that could contain as many as 100,000 images.  
Perhaps I am asking for a folder tree with checkboxes?


What is my brain missing here.  I would assume the programmers of this 
software have a good idea what they're doing, but I'm just not seeing in 
any intuitive way how this program is actually supposed to work.


Thanks for any replies.