External card readers plug into a USB port and can usually read most types of Flash cards. To transfer pics from your camera ,you remove the card from the camera..on Kodak this is under a flap in the side of the camera case...then plug the card into the appropriate slot of the card reader and once your PC recognises the card and installs a driver (all automatic),you can transfer your pics ,format the card etc. Card readers are available from almost any computer store,they also are part of most later model MFC. A simple Google search will give you all the info you want on this.
One other thing worth noting, most popular digital cameras are recognised by Vista and usually (though not always) do not require software installation,as Vista contains the drivers,and pick them up natively.