iPod niggle #1427

I plug in my iPod at work and for once explorer doesn't crash, so when iPod updater offers the opportunity to upgrade my firmware revision I take the chance and load it. All seems to go well until I'm told to remove the iPod from the computer and plug it in to the mains; which is handy because the power adaptor is currently 2 miles away at home and even then is hidden in a box somewhere because I never use it. The iPod is now stuck on a screen telling me to plug it into the mains and is completely unusable until I do so.

Why was I not warned of this before I updated? What happens if I lose my firewire cable or the power block? The mind boggles...