We use SpamKarma 2 to keep this site relatively clean of comment spam. I was clearing out the filter a few days ago and found a message with an astoundingly low karma of -3690.56. The usual value is in the low (high) double digits, and I’ve seen a few in the high (low) triple digits. But this is some sort of new evolutionary low. Just thought you’d like to know.

I recently picked up an XGameStation Pico, which is a small video game system you can build and program yourself. I’m going to be coming up to AS220 around 2:30pm, and I’ll set up a little work area where I can assemble the unit, and if the darn thing works, I’ll even plug it into the projector for some big-screen neo-retro action before the Geek Dinner. Feel free to come along and watch, help, or give me moral support when I mess something up beyond repair!

P.S. If you have a Parallax SX-Key and a KeySpan 19HS USB/Serial adapter, bring it along. Those are the two accessories I forgot to order until last night (and without them, we’ll only be able to run the default video game that’s pre-flashed onto the system).

Update: We managed to assemble it about half-way before we were distracted by burritos and beverages. You can see the completed system here. 

Microsoft’s Jim Miller, senior architect on the Common Language Runtime (CLR), will be speaking at Brown’s CS Department TOMORROW 1pm. His topic is a popular one these days: “Microsoft’s Common Language Runtime: Is It Dynamic Enough?”

Details here.

Thanks to Providence Geek Peter Woo for the heads up on this event.