public int find(Object seek) {
		// check the objects and seek specifically
		int index = -1;
		if(seek instanceof Fermentable) {
			index = Collections.binarySearch(fermDB, (Fermentable)seek);
		} else if(seek instanceof Hop) {
			Comparator<Hop> c = new Comparator<Hop>()  {
				public int compare(Hop h1, Hop h2){
					
					int result = h1.getName().compareToIgnoreCase(h2.getName());
						
					return result ;
				}
			
			};
			index = Collections.binarySearch(hopsDB, (Hop)seek, c);
		} else if(seek instanceof Yeast) {
			index = Collections.binarySearch(yeastDB, (Yeast)seek);
		}
		// we can't find the object, lets return
		return index;
	}