it depends on your kernel and supporting software.
you need modules:
usbcore
uhci
ehci
usb_storage (which need to have support for your reader/flash devices)
and support for the files system the device is formated in -- (cameras and such are usually dos or vfat or some ms hash)
 
you should be able to see the device when these modules are loaded or builtin and the device is attached, as /dev/sda if this special device did not previously exist otherwise /dev/sdb or what have you.
 
you would mount it (if you didn't make a desktop link):
 
mount -t vfat /dev/sda* /yourdirectory
 
*****note: the usbfs may need to be mounted, this usually mounts a boottime
 
kernels 2.6.9 and 2.6.10 have a new ub device that is autodetected much better and r/w's faster and more reliably.
2.6.9 is a whack job though stick with 2.6.10.
 

my kernel is 2.6, my OS is fedora core 2. I did not change my kernel. I did not upgrade my kernel. My kernel is as is when i first installed my os.

To check out whether ur usb devices are detected, you can get this software called usbview.

jarves, Fedora Core 2 automatically detects USB drives. Is this a reader/writer stick? If so, Fedora should automount it when you plug it in. It will get mounted in /mnt, look there. If you are using Gnome or KDE it should present itself right on your desktop.

I want to add a USB key device. I tried out somethings i read on the web, but all i got was a desktop item that says: "Hard Disk (sda1)(not mounted)".
 
Does anyone know how to get a USB stick working on mandrake 9.1? Thanks

This is the best "How To" I've found...
 
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1256814,00.asp