A big hear-hear on the call for more open architecture on our own damn devices! If Amazon isn't prepared to offer real technical support on the Kindle---and they're not!---we should be at least *able* to do it ourselves. Oh, and for travelling in search of power, a simple little t-shaped outlet adapter can be a lifesaver for those of us with big transformers on the end of our plugs: http://www.amazon.com/50281-3-Grounded-Outlet-T-Shaped-Adapter/dp/B001UE7SB4 I just keep one in my backpack at all times now for coffeshops, airports, or anywhere else that I might want to plug in something bulky.
That's a good suggestion, although I don't think I have anything that charges with a wall-wart these days. I do usually travel with at least one wall-to-USB adapter, which will charge at least half of what I'm carrying at any time.