Connecting an iPod without syncing

I am often connecting my iPod to my work computer, either to charge or to listen to or watch something on the iPod. It always bugs my, however, that the iPod always wants to sync with the iTunes Library on the work machine. I sync at home, and do not want to sync with the machine at work. 

Lifehacker has an article on a cable with a switch that can be used to turn on or off syncing the iPod with iTunes. At almost $25, I think that is a bit pricy. It turns out that you can hold down command-option (cmd-alt) when you insert your iPod, and hold them down until the iPod shows up in your iTunes source list. It will not sync. 

For windows users I think the key combination is control-shift, but it should work the same way.