What is the difference between a flash card and a memory stick. Sounds like the same thing.

Memory stick is a proprietary format card (remember Beta tapes?) that only fit Sony cameras and a few select devices. Compact Flash cards fit many more products, and have much higher capacity.

Do I need a separate flash card reader or adapter for my PC or should they work in my PCI slot by themselves?

James, I would opt for an external USB 2.0 multi-format card reader.

I ended up getting a Sandisk 6 in 1 multi-card reader. It fits into my PCI slot on my laptop and reads most cards available. It's much easier to manage because of it's size.

Gotcha I didn't know you were referring to PCMCIA slots when you referenced PCI slots on your PC. I though we were talking about a desktop.

Anyway, congrats on the purchase!

Well, if I need to load to a desktop, I guess I'll have to use the cradle and/or the USB cable that came with the kit. The multi-card reader is a good thing to have if I need to look at images from someone else's camera with their memory card(s).