I don't understand why they are read only but if you right click on the file name and choose properties on the context menu then at the bottom of the 'general' tab you can remove the check mark from the read only box.

do you mean a regular digital camera that uses a memory card to hold the pics and videos? If so then you can simply remove the memory card from camera and insert it into a memory card reader which you plug into your usb port, if there is not one built into your pc already, then simply choose to copy it to the pc from the card, you don't have to have a program to move pics or vids from the memory card to the pc. Most newer computers have a built in memory card reader, if yours does not you can get one for just a few dollars, I have bought them at big lots for $6 but any store with an electronics dept will have them. That is the easiest way to do it and you don't have to add any extra programs to your pc.

I have a Mac and don't use the camera software or iPhoto. I use the cable connection and turn on my camera (an old Olympus 4.1 megapixel) to the "view" mode and in icon of the media storage pops up on my desktop. Doing this should also launch iPhoto on your Mac. I use Photoshop for image editing so I just shut it down.

I have the Kodak Easy Share, and it works the same way on both my XP and Vista computers. I did not install any driver for the camera. I did install the Kodak program. Once the program is installed, leave the camera off, hook up your usb cable to both the computer and the camera. Now open easy share software. Turn on the camera. You should get up a box, that says, windows has detected new hardware, and it will install a driver for the camera. Once done, Kodak, will come up with a box, to transfer all the pictures. I dont store my pictures in Kodak (it does keep a copy though, that I delete later). I have gone into preferences, and have all photos,directed to go to a folder on my desktop. Your camera, most likely is different than mine, since mine is a couple years old, but my grandaughters is much newer than mine, and she has no problems, putting her pictures on my computer using this method, and my daughter recently got a new Kodak, and she had no problem putting them on my computer either. Good Luck