Amplifiying an IR signal

Here's a really neat way of amplifiying the puny IR transmitter you find on many devices. You just need a IR diode (the transmitter) and a digital N-channel FET (basically a transistor). You then rig it up to power the IR diode from the battery and you get super IR power. I am seriously thinking about doing this on an old Handspring I have laying around, it's IR is pretty much useless not to mention it points to the side which is annoying.