well if you use a card reader(two formats for CF and smartmedia), you won't consume the battery power when downloading pic to the computer. you just take the memory card off the cam, plug into the reader...
the reader's price varies --I got a Sandisk from Amazon, around $23 and I used $20 GC,
You may get one between 10-20 bucks...depending on what deals you may find.
as for the error page from ebates, it happened when you login into the passport purchase.
so first log in at passport site, then go to ebates ---it works this way!