Linux /dev insanity

How did I told which /dev devices get created for my USB devices? My USB Flash drives get mapped at something like /dev/usbX, where X changes according to the Mayan calendar, and my USB hard disk gets mapped at /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc, or perhaps /dev/sdd, it must have something to do with weather and how it's feeling. Every time I plug crap in I have to keep trying devices to see which one is it. Is there one way to quickly see what devices are my physical drives?

'cuz it enumerates them

you do read the messages or logs don't you?

that is to say that everytime you connect a usb device it gives it a different number and so it gets a different device number

blame apple for their overly complicated usb spec. the o/s is just doing it's best with what it has to work with, and you want it to make sense??? silly boy