Power (or lack of it) in USB ports

What are the workarounds or what is Apple's position on this issue? I didn't try connecting an iPod yet, but would an iPod get some charge from these USB ports? What I know is that my USB-powered Canon scanner that works perfectly with PC's doesn't work with my Powerbook and that my external portable drive which gets enough power from my 12" iBook's USB doesn't from the Powerbook.

Hi Hardy
You know if I use my LaCie with one USB data cable connected to the PB and a second "power sharing" USB cable (supplied by LaCie when I bought the drive) also connected to the PB at the same time, then the drive works.
I just dislike having to use up both my USB ports.
In essence, had I known this about the PBs, I would have gotten a Firewire and USB LaCie drive (it was only $30 more). At least I would have been to boot up from the drive if I had ever needed it. Or...are the FireWire ports on the PB affected by the same "low" power-output as the USB ports?
C'est la vie!

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