UPS battery thingy and anti-thunderstorm thingy

lol ok I don't know how you call 'em properly but I had a question about those...

My dad is an electrician and he told me that the anti-thunderstorm shock protection thingy for your outlet will not work unless we have a grounded outlet.
I was wondering if this really is true, because I really want to buy one of those but don't have a grounded outlet in this 758432952 year old house.
Also does the UPS battery thingy need a grounded outlet too?


thanks
--IntelSux

Yes a surge protector needs a grounded outlet because that's where all the electricity is routed during the surge