Thats way gone now Wombat.
The OS looks after all that. On my distro Fedora you plug in it makes a noise when its mounted and away you go.
Its worked with cameras, phones,USB sticks, GPS units haven't had a problem yet with anything which has flash memory and a USB connector.
It also spots and talks to all other devices I have connected it to be it GSM modem sticks, USB speakers and even a TCAS unit from the aircraft (which i was gobsmacked at when it worked), Bluethooth dongles etc
When you want to disconnect you click on the usb symbol on you desktop like you would in windows choose the device you want to disconnect and it makes another noise and it removes it. Blue tooth devices are similar.
You can go into the inards if you like though still and turn the auto mount off. But you have to confirm you are wearing cords and saddles before it will let you do that.