under Gnu Linux 3.0.X I had to use gtcam to download pictures
As of Gnu Linux 3.2.x The camera appears as mass storage as soon as it is connected by usb, just like a memory stick.
What doesn't work:
up until Gnu Linux 3.0.x gtcam provided limited functionality (back and forth plugging, unplugging, power on, off etc) until finally it initialized the camera and you could download pictures.
What was done to make it work:
Nothing, really. the new Gnu/Linux kernel fixed the problem