pintobean -
You have to have your ipod with you and turned on for the Nike+ to work. You can get wrist bands though that can work in place of the iPod... more $$$$
Honestly, I just bought a Pedometer, cost me $30 and it supposed to be one of the best ones out there and I like it better then the Nike+. It counts EVERY single step I take it a day, assuming I have it on me. I feel like a dork with it clipped to my side, but it's pretty cool and motivating to see how many steps you take. I can clip it to my pants, put it in my pocket or my purse and it still counts. The downfall of the Nike+ is that you have to have your iPod with you, and your shoes on! I can use this one barefoot! And it works good for counting my steps even when doing a walking video, I don't think the Nike+ would work well for that.
I log on my steps in walkertracker.com
I have a bit of info and stuff on my blog if your interested.
If I go on a longer walk, then I use my Nike+ too - might as well.