i finally convinced my mom to go linux, i installed redhat 8 on her comp, and it runs great, but she wants to import pics from her digital camera. i heard that the newest kernel 2.4.20 has good usb support over the other versions. is that much better, or should she stay at 2.4.18-14?

I'd stay with the standard distribution setup and just do the updates via "up2date".
The latest RH kernel is now 2.4.18-18.8.0

I always have a problem with non-standard software versions conflicting with RH versions.
I know they spend a lot of time making theirs more "integrated" and you may always find better in newer versions, but be prepared for some pain when there is a conflict.

I am only saying this as a way of avoiding any unseen problems for yourself.
If you have a look inside an ftp mirror site, you will find a "rawhide" directory with the later versions not included in the RH officially supported channels...

I support Redhat professionally and I can tell you this... you are MUCH better off waiting for Redhat to update the kernel rpm before you put it on your system. Don't update any of your standard RPM's with something that hasn't been packaged and tested by Redhat. You will be much happier in the long run if you stick with that.

-K.

thanx, i will just update her to the latest redhat 8 rpm kernel through up2date, thanx again.