I'll use it... I like to walk, I liked gigapets, and I like pokemon... and I that thing is small, I can slip it into my pocket if I have to go somewhere where I don't want anyone to see it. Even if I have to rig the buttons not to get pressed... which I suppose is simple as a padded altoids tin or well some placed toothpick scraps and tape.
I doubt you'll lose your pokemon even if the battery dies and the pokewalker doesn't know what was supposed to be on it.... because the DS cart will know what it sent.
How the hell does a pokewalker sending a signal when broken, make since to any of you? (unless it's just the motion sensor that broke, in which case you'd still be able to get your precious back) If it's broken, that means it doesn't function, so can't send out signals.
I'll probably put something you get early on on it, like zubat or gastly.