Hash is a big subject, but let me try to explain the two main types of hashes that you will see in Adam a bit:
Moroccan: This is probably the most common hash you will see in Europe. Moroccan has is usually produced by shaking the buds for their trichomes, which are then pressed into blocks. Color varies from light sandy blond to dark chocolate-like brown. The appeal of the smell/taste is subjective, so I will let you judge that for yourself. For me, there is nothing better than a blunt wrap filled with a nice tobacco/Moroccan mix.
Afghan/Pakistani/Indian/Nepalese: Hash from the mentioned countries is most often produced via the hand-rubbing method. Ie. rubbing your hands gently against the buds, thus collecting the delicious trichomes on your skin. Scrape the residue off at the end of the day, and there's your hash. This hash is very dark/black. The taste and smell of this hash can vary (as does all cannabis), but I am most often reminded of sitting a field of flowers, drawing in their smell through a veil...
A good way to check the quality of a hash, is to first of all to look at the softness of the product - the softer the better generally. This is not always the case, and some hash can be hard/awesome or soft/shitty, but the softness is generally a good indicator. If you feel like you could mold your hash into little figures, then it is probably of a nice quality. This is especially the case with black hash.
Another way to check the quality of your gear is to put a flame to it. If it bubbles, your hash is most likely of "good" quality. Again, this is not always the case, so buyer beware.
You will be able to find a wide variety of both Moroccan and black hashes in Amsterdam. I advise you to check out the other threads on the site for info on what's hot at the moment.
Many Europeans smoke their hash with tobacco, either in joint- or pipe/bong-form. Some (mostly Scandinavians??) will "toast" their cigarettes (heating up the cigarette until it emits vapor and then blowing in the cigarette), nicotine has a relatively low boiling point, and it is possible to heat a cigarette and evaporate the nicotine, without setting fire to the cig - takes some practice though
It is also possible to smoke your hash without the evil weed. Either mix is with some nice green, or smoke it by itself in a pipe. I am sure it is also possible to vaporize hash. You won't need to fiddle with pins/goo if you are smoking Moroccan or Afghaan - you just crumble it with your fingers, or roll it into small sausages if it is really soft.
I am not that well-versed in the various production methods of the more "advanced" types of hash, such as iceolator or budder, so I will let others fill you in on that.