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What to Get My Geek for Valentine's Day?
A reader writes "Help!!! I've been dating my geek for three months and I'm in a bit of a dilemma. So I thought I'd ask the men of Slashdot what they would want as a Valentine's Day gift. I'm looking for something out of the ordinary that will knock his socks off. Somthing clever, crafty and unique. The budget is $100. My geek's interests are typical geek fare, games, computers, music and gadgetry. So! You, men of Slashdot, tell me what you would want to recieve for Valentine's day and help me make my geek happy."
give him a blow job
That's easy, almost anything from Think Geek
Never try to beat a professional at his own game!
Check out the ThinkGeek Valentine guide.
A greased up yoda doll!
Buy him/her some SCO stocks... not for the profit, but for the historical value.
nuff said....
stop calling him GEEK every other sentence. That's a start.
and get yourself some coded underwear.
Just don't get it backwards-- wear the 200 ones when you are gearing to go.
Dress as:
- Seven of Nine (Star Trek)
- Princess Leah (You know, the mini stuff)
What else? ohh...he might wanna have sex with you but our kind is used to rejection so it should be ok.
Or if you have a hard time picking one of those out, then sex is always appricated ^_^
It's not enough that he has a girlfriend, she has the brains to get him a geek toy too. Like i said - lucky bastard
Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition....
I'm sure most men here would just like a girlfriend at all.
Maybe you could get him some soap, a razor or decent clothes.
A room that is NOT in the basement would probably be good, too.
Sunlight is also a good possibility.
If he's anything like most of us geeks, we'll buy the geek toys ourselves to make sure we get exactly what we want.
So, my suggestion is, get him something non-geeky that he'd like or has commented on that shows you realize he is much more than just Geek.
http://www.linksysinfo.org - WRT54G Firmware Hacks and Linksys Support
She asked what _her_ geek, who HAS a girl, would like. Not what YOU want so badly.
"Enjoy what you're doing! If it becomes drudgery, you're doing it wrong!" - Jim Butterfield
Take a look at the stuff at ScottEVest. If he's a gadget geek (aren't we all) he's gotta have one of these.
This story is kinda fishy.
"A Reader" writes... A reader of Slashdot that doesn't know what a geek wants as a gift, Okkaaay.
This whole thing seems like a big shill story to get people to post links to ThinkGeek, which is of course owned by the same company as Slashdot.
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
It's easy to give a geek gifts. ThinkGeek.com alone should satisfy you there. For V's Day, you might want to look for something you'd both enjoy, so that his immediate response isn't "Must go off and use new gadget alone!" Two-player videogames you're willing to play with him, DVDs you'll both like, that kind of thing. Stuff like books or single-player video games can wait until his birthday.
If he plays games, and he has a PS2, get him Rez with the Trance Vibrator. It might be a bit of a rush by now.
All geeks would love an Windows XP license or subscription to MSDN.
(I'm jealous and trying to break you up)
I've often wondered why there are no girls on slashdot. Now I know.
Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
Well, lady, just typing "the perfect present for a geek" in google gave me some interesting links...
This one might help you.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
All of my base
Are belong to you
Amazon has a well-hidden Early Adopers Store that has all the latest gadgetry and toys. Lots of fun stuff there....
Being a lonely geek myself, I would say that I would be happy just getting to spend my day with a girl I love. The only thing that I would ever want would be her company for that day. There is no material object on the planet that would make me as happy as just getting to spend time someone I love. Just to hold her in my arms, and enjoy her company. Maybe sitting out in a park bench in the middle of the night looking out over a lake at the cityscape.
Unfortunately "give him sex!" comments are getting modded down.
Seriously, healthly people like sex. Good caring sex, more so.
You get him $100 worth of somethng from ThinkGeek and its something anyone could give, really lacks creativity and will be forgotten in a year.
Hot, wild monkey sex with a liberal dose of caring and understanding towards your partner's needs will blow his/her mind away, is going to be unique to each other and will strengthen your relationship.
If, for your personal reasons, you are waiting to get married or whatever, then head over to ThinkGeek.
The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
Yeah, from ThinkGeek.
My wife got me 3 bars and the first time I tried it I got a nasty buzz. It is actually a very nice soap even if not taking into account that it delivers as much caffeine as two cups of coffee with each shower.
Pedro
----
The Insomniac Coder
You need to be original, so what you should do is not buy him just anything but you should give him a memory. Things can break, but a memory is alwayys there so plan a roantic dinner with candles, inscence, rent his favorite movie, and prepare a home cooked meal (if you can't cook buy something and make it look as if you prepared it). You don't want to out do him because then he will hate himself, and after dinner go for a walk and then finally go back to your place put on the movie, cuddle up next to him and just enjoy. Thats the best present you can give him, because a memory like that is priceless. Hope I helped and good luck
MonkeysKickAss
More importantly, what happens on the 'other' holiday? Don't 'stiff' your geek on that day either! (pun intended)
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
Call me old fashioned, but even though I am a geek, I don't really want or expect geeky gifts for valentine's day. That's what Christmas and birthdays are for. Is it just me or are gifts for this occasion suposed to be romantic in nature and not practical? That said, $100 would probably cover the tab for a nice romantic dinner out at a nice restraunt. Or, if he's geeky enough to still live in his parents' basement, you could always rent a hotel room...
These all last much longer, and go much deeper, than any consumable, in my opinion.
Regards,
John
Falling You - beautiful
my girlfriend got me one for x-mas, and i love it. although it looks sorta stupid (and she was the first to admit it), its hella handy. its only about 75 bucks i think for 128mb, but shop around online.
the only thing that sorta sucks about it is, if you drop it, or tap it, or once in a while, look at it wrong while its playing mp3s, it turns off, and then give a low battery warning, but that could just be mine. i just take the battery out, and pop it back in, and all is well again.
http://www.apacer.com/
Well, so far everybody has suggested some kind of sexual favour... but either it's happened already or you have reasons why not. Oh well. Here are ideas you can actually tell him about in front of your parents:
Divide et impera!
Yeah, I read that too late. But they can do what my gf and I do -- gift banking. She likes jewelry, but the kind she likes costs roughly twice my typical gift budget. Rather than getting her crap that she wouldn't like, we agreed to "bank" the gifts and combine them later. It helps if you also buy small, fun, inexpensive gifts when the larger gift is deferred.
Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
Something that you wear. Trust me, this would be better than any gadget you could possibly purchase.
-- Will program for bandwidth
OSDN personals powered by match.com?
That's so cruel!
Free Manning, jail Obama.
How 'bout an Airzooka!? They're a good bit of harmless fun, especially at the office. I know that the one I picked up recently can knock about a lot of lightweight things (including socks that aren't actually being worn) from a range of 15 feet or more. Household pets tend to get annoyed but then seem to enjoy it. Our dog gets all excited and wants to play every time I bring it home. Plus, they're reasonably priced (I got mine from a local Biggs for about $13).
It's Valentine's day. Save the hardware and gadgetry for his birthday, Christmas, etc. Valentine's day, for one day, you can be sentimental, even to a techie. The geekiest you'd want to go would be, like, "his and hers" memory cards or something. :-) Something you've made yourself, even if it is tech-related, is best.
Of course, you could just let him see this thread. A girlfriend who likes her geek beau enough that she'll ask the nexus of geekdom how to best make a geek happy? Just the knowledge that a girl cares that much and knows him that well is a major gift in itself. Maybe frame the thread or something. :-)
--GrouchoMarx
Card-carrying member of the EFF, FSF, and ACLU. Are you?
he is probably the guy that said blowjob
Speaking as a geek in a long term relationship (defininition: over a year, no rings yet though), Valentine's Day is one of the most difficult holidays to deal with. I had intense social anxiety in high school, but even now, years and years later, there are still some things that trigger it for me. Number one is my fear of getting lost--if I have to go to a new place (say, a restaurant) and worse, I have to get there by a certain time (say, a reservation), I'll worry about it for days unless I take a drive during my free time before the event to memorize all the markers and distances. Number two is crowded places with no places to walk around (I usually solve this one with frequent trips to the bathroom or bar.) At Valentine's Day, though, every restaurant is going to be absolutely packed, and there will be no space at the bar.
I'm not saying your geek has any of these problems, but chances are, he's still feeling the stress of his first V-day in a relatively new relationship. The absolute perfect gift for me would be for my girlfriend to show up at my place on February 13th, tell me she had cancelled my reservations, and drive me to dinner. (Regardless of who pays.) It would show that she understands my problems. (And she does--she's been a huge help getting this far, and it was her suggestion that we take Friday off and spend the weekend with my recently divorced mother.)
As for presents though, every guy honestly really just wants the same thing--a great night in bed with no distractions. Pay any roommates to be conviently not there if necessary. If you want to get him something physical though (ah-ha), consider a framed picture of the two of you for his desk at work. Guys like pictures. Honestly. We're just too lazy to get a nice print, frame, etc etc.
This works nicely because guys NEVER ask other guys what they got for Valentine's Day. The only people who ask are women, and women will appreciate you for the thoughtful gesture and will respect him for having such a wonderful girlfriend.
For the 'crafty' 'unique' bit, you may want to consider some special kind of packaging that is challenging to actually open... My little brother always gets the same gift for his birthday (money), but he never got a gift from me that didn't take at least 15 minutes get fully open.
One possible example: present him his gift in a box closed with a couple of padlocks, and make him earn the keys with some fun assignments (up to you to think of those).
WRT all the 'sex' postings: sex is not a 'gift' or something you should 'give'. On valentine, you should most importantly make time for each other and enjoy being together in whatever way you spend the day/evening.
Okay... I'll do the stupid things first, then you shy people follow.
[Zappa]
ThinkGeek is too easy. Here's an idea that is sure to please:
;)
1. Go to Molecular Expressions Beershots, locate the microscopic photo of his favorite beer, and order the poster.
2. While it is shipping, go have a custom frame made for the poster.
3. Give framed poster and 6-pack of favorite beer as Valentine's Day presents.
You should be able to accomplish this for around $100, and it will appeal to many geek traits: Science, Art, the Unusual and Extraordinary, and Love of Alcohol. He'll totally dig it. And as an added bonus for you, after a few beers he'll probably be better in bed.
-FF
SQUEAK, the Death of Rats explained.
Sex: I've always been of the opinion that sex and sexual acts should not be "gifts" to your significant other. If you're not both into it, then it shouldn't be done. And if you're getting something out of it for yourself is it really a gift? That's not to say I wouldn't like a lil' sum`n sum`n, but it shouldn't be the gift.
... musical interests, and even art. Not to sound pompus (but it does) "geeks" like smart people stuff .
ThinkGeek: A friend of mine gave me a $100 gift cert to TG for Christmas. It was actually difficult for me to find something with their current stock. Perhaps TG isn't your best option right now - it'll improve soon I hope.
Non-Geek: I think this is a really great idea. Geeks have non-geek interests. In fact their geekiness is probably a small part of their personality, but because it's so in the media right now it tends to be the only thing people see. The computer geek persononality is usually paired with a mechanical personality, tools, cars, the like
Here's an idea. A nice picture of yourself in a nice frame. Prepaired dinner. Rented movie. And a smaller purchase. Perhaps a little toy of some sort he can keep on his desk near his computer. The dinner and movie at home would be excellent as resturants are usually flooded. You can still get dressed up and all that, I would suggest it even. Geeks like romance too, you know.
No sig for you. YOU GET NO SIG!
So buy him something nice and classy. For $100 you can buy him a nice analog watch or maybe a nice shirt or two.
He may not appreciate it at first, but this way when you drag him along to a social function or he has to work with someone other than a fellow geek he'l have something to wear that actually looks good and he'll be able to fit in. After he gets a few compliments on his watch or clothes he'll want to wear them every time he goes out.
I decided to give up my chance to moderate this story because I couldn't find a -1 "Too Informative" mod for this.
Too many people have thier heads in their pants to think of the one true geek gift, the all-mighty LEGO set. I can't think of any geeks that don't love them.
Granted, nowardays the selection isn't that great, but for $100 you can get a reasonably complicated one.
And as an added bonus, the gift is somewhat romantic as you can spend some time that day putting it together before engaging in more traditional romantic endevours.
"To save the planet, I had to go to the worst spot on Earth, and that was Philadelphia." -- Sun Ra
Is it bad that I thought he was going to say linux?
First, most of the geeky ideas are right out. Yes a USB keychain flash drive, or mp3 player or something would be very cool. The problem is when it comes to computer devices or things like that, I'd probably so much rather pick it out unless you really knew what you were doing and did a great job of feeling me out on exactly what i wanted. If you did that, then it'd no longer be a suprise and probably wouldn't work well.
Secondly, the ideas about sex and whatever are all great. However, these sound like ideas from people currently not getting sex. If you're sleeping with your boyfriend already, then sleeping with him some more on valentine's day is probably something that will happen anyway and isn't a great gift. If you wanted to turn sex into a gift, then I think you'd better be doing something that's more fantasy based or something unusual (a trip to VS or a night at the sybaris (or one of those sex hotels if they don't have the sybaris by you).
As for just spending the day together, while that is beautiful and I really want to spend the day with my wife on valentine's day, it's something that's going to be done anyway, and you'd probably feel pretty silly saying my gift to you is spending time with you. (I can't think of many things that would sound more conceited). Since basically, he could reply the same way.
So with those things in mind, here's a few ideas:
1) Take an interest in something he loves that you normally have no interest in. It depends on what kind of things you normally do together, but if you hate action movies renting one of his favorites, or watching star wars even if you hate it, or playing some multi-player games you don't like are all great ideas.
2) Get tickets to an event. This is even better when combined with item #1. If you hate sports and he loves them, he'll really appreciate tickets to a basketball, baseball, or hockey game. Tickets to a comedy show, or some other show (as long as it's something he'd like, and not something you'd like, but he'd hate) would also be great.
3) Agree not to make valentine's day a big deal. He's probably stressing out about what to get you for valentine's day, because he wants to do something special for you, but it's hard to feel special buying the same stuff everyone else is (you are obviously feeling somewhat of the same challenge). That being the case, agree to not buy each other gifts, but instead mutually plan an evening together. Go out to see a show, get some nice dinner, maybe plan some bedroom sports for afterwards that are a little spicier than normal (if you are doing that kind of thing that is).
Anyway, just some thoughts!
If your geek has a girlfriend he doesn't need a present too. Buy chocolate for yourself.
Need Mercedes parts ?
My suggestion for a three-month relationship: give him the high order 32 bits of the prime factors of the modulus of your RSA private key.
Give 96 mores bits at your 1 year anniversery. 64 more bits at your engagement, and 192 bits at your wedding.
A discussion on slashdot devoted to him.
- show you how to install Linux
- explain the dis/advantages among IDE, SCSI, and SATA hard drive technologies
- teach you the basics of relativity or quantum theory
- help you make a web page about something you're both into
- explain what the controversy is over copyright, p2p, open source, patents, etc.
- etc.
The point being A) to show him that you're interested (to some degree) in whatever geeky stuff he's thrives on (which assumes that you are, of course), and B) to give him a chance to feel good showing off what he knows (which assumes he does). One of the many fond memories I have of the time with my late boyfriend was the evening we spent years ago, drinking a bottle of wine while I explained everything he'd ever wanted to know (and probably a little more) about the intermingled history of DOS/Windows and the Intel CPU line, and the sun went down. Sure, it was probably a ploy to get me drunk and horny, but he learned a bit, I got my ego stoked, and he ended up spending the night.Speaking for myself (a geek with a 2+year lasting relationship) ... I like to get the geeky stuff myself.
:) Of course, you have to know a bit about his taste too.
What my girlfriend usually gets me are some clothes that make me look good (I have a tendency to buy comfortable clothes), which i can wear to nice events or dates. This works out because I hate spending more than $20 on a pair of pants or shirt (or clothes in general), because she has better taste than I do, and because it leaves me to pick my own geeky self-presents.
Seriously, if you wanna make your geek happy, buy him some clothes that you think make him look hot and then tell him how great he looks in them.
no comment
I've noticed many different answers ranging from sex to thinkgeek to romantic dinners, and that is because each "geek" is different. If you go to slashdot and ask a question like this, you'll get diverse answers from the diverse user base. The truth of the matter is that you know him better than anyone, you have all of the customized knowledge of your "geek" who is really just a normal person like everyone else. There is no greater expert than you except maybe for his family members.
But keep in mind Valentines day is not like a Birthday or even Christmas, it isn't about getting or giving gifts. As I stated above it is about love and celebrating it. Really the day is not about him or you, it's about the two of you. Getting him a gadget or something may be okay for Christmas or his Birthday because A) it is HIS Birthday so the day is about him and B) Christmas is about exchanging gifts....but Valentines day is about the two of you.
Some of the standard type ideas to get you in the right frame of mind:
Some ideas are lame, some are good, but all of them involve not just him and not just you, but the two of you.
Well you get the idea, I don't want to give away any specifics lest certain other people read this and are not surprised.....But don't underestimate the gift of your company. It goes without saying that you should try to spend all the time with him on Valentines day that you can. If you could take the day off from work and so could he (or school or whatever) and spend it together, that in itself would be a great gift.
Don't bother celebrating a holiday that has no meaning for either of you. Save these suggestions for your anniversary. And if you just want to give him something, do it when you think of it, don't wait for a specific day (especially an arbitrary one like 2/14), just go ahead and do it. He'll appreciate the spontaneity and the fact that you were thinking about him far more than he'll appreciate any gift on 2/14.
A few years ago I was student teaching (for those who've never done it, that's a pretty big time of stress, because you're essentially learning the ropes of a more-than-full-time job while not getting paid a thing and, in fact, having to pay tuition. So combine no income and no time and going back to high school. Fabulous). When my birthday came around, my girlfriend came and picked me up as soon as classes were out, pulled me away from the stuff I probably would have been doing, and we just went walking in the hills for a few hours, and then to dinner. I did have to be back at parent teacher conferences that night, but those few hours were remarkably refreshing. Just time. It's a great gift.
Tweet, tweet.
I'm somewhat of the opinion that women just take awhile to come to their senses, and the geek men just don't change at all. Women spend all those years going out "to have fun" and dance and "spend time with friends" and the all of a sudden one day that biological starts ticking louder and louder, and suddenly the hilarious well-coordinated pub-crawling metrosexuals just don't seem like the guys they're looking for anymore.
Obviously don't take this post too seriously.
Who do you get to be an expert to tell you something's not obvious? The least insightful person you can find? -J Roberts
I don't know a single guy out there that doesn't dig lingerie, or chicks wearing scanty clothes. If you have any clues as to what might tickle his fancy, get it and SURPRISE him with it. I would go into more of a description, but that would be giving too much away - it'd be *MY* fantasy, not his.
;))
Really, geek toys are for Christmas. This is VALENTINE'S day coming up, the day of non-material gift-giving.
(Though I suspect he'd dig either the blowjob and/or threesome
i'm amazed that i survived - an airbag saved my life.
...he's into sex, but pretends not to be. At least until he gets to know you better. If you are aware of what some of his interests/fantasies are, you could indulge him a little in that way. Rather fitting for Valentine's Day.
Dressing up in something a little sexy and waking him up that way one morning might just fit the bill.
The supposed lack of interest or opportunity related to sex is largely a myth. Geeks have very strong sexual desires and usually can be quite "open minded" once they are comfortable with their partner.
Un-news
Who the fsck are you to determine whether someone is a loser? I'm a self-professed geek, and in this day, that's like saying I'm a renaissance man. Being a geek is a philosophy which extends beyond computers, into all things logical and illogical. I see my problem solving (ie - programming) skills as being a form of art. I feel complete and satisfied when I have `finished` a program/module that I know is exactly the way I want it.
Aside from programming (and computers in general), I enjoy other forms of art including photography and sketching. I've been married for 15 years, and I'm a father. I enjoy riding my Triumph Trophy 1200 motorcycle, and training my dog to do agility. But even when I'm doing all of those things, my mind is still racing with hundreds of ideas for the project d'jeur.
I don't know what your definition of `geek` is, but most of the people I know, who call themselves one, use my definition. Not the one in Websters, and they don't feel like it's a limitation either.
One more important point, I would like to direct your attention to, is that you are enjoying the benefits of the geeks. Many of us designed the computers, along with many other things, and wrote the code to contol them. Obviously you don't scoff at the use of these items, and we've made our money doing it.
So again I ask, who are you to determine that being a geek qualifies us as losers. I see you as the loozer, since you don't have the sack or brains to do it yourself.
he has the thing most geeks want but cant get already.
It's pretty simple... V-Day is on a Saturday, which means no work (hopefully), so it's perfect.
Arrange ahead of time to take the first half of the day for V-Day, and let him have the second half. Take him to the nearest arcade, with $40-50 worth of quarters, or go-kart racing, follow it up with lunch at something cheap but not fast food (maybe Bennigan's or Chili's), then to a movie he wants to see (maybe The Butterfly Effect, or Cold Mountain, but you know better), and have popcorn and icees/slushies or that 128oz. monster size soda.
Next, let him take over, hopefully he'll have something planned for you (remember you arranged ahead of time, so that's a good reminder for him).
When you get back, he'll have had an incredible day, hopefully you'll have had an incredible night, finish it off by taking him home (your place or his), for some intimate time. Do something with him that you've never done before, whether that be letting him get to second base, or your first time having sex in the shower (or the kitchen table, washing machine, etc. ;) )
As for me? My gf and I are currently seperated by that little pond we call the Atlantic Ocean, so I'm having flowers delivered to her, as well as a DVD player (she doesn't have one yet), and the complete Family Guy collection (I know my girl). I'm going to pick up some candles, break out the webcam, and we're going to have a candlelit dinner some 2000 miles apart...
If you really care and your significant other is really a Geek,
a great gift is to let him know what you want him to get YOU on the holiday as well as where to eat.
How can YOU prevent the following conversation?
"Honey," (he begins ever so sweetly), "Where would you like dine?"
"Oh, I don't know dear, surprise me."
"But dear, my love of food means that there isn't a restaurant on planet earth that I don't like and you were so unhappy the fourth time Christmas week I took you to MickeyDee's, there was no lovin' for weeks after."
"Just pick a romantic place, OK?"
"Bunchkins, just name one or two or three you like, and I'll be more than happy to pick one."
(Tone at this point turns icy.) "That is NOT romantic. I want you to surprise me with a romantic choice."
"My love, when I surprised you on your birthday with a McFlurry and a hot McPie with a candle on top, I thought you would appreciate the originality. Instead, I obviously did something wrong when you threw it at me. Please just tell me what you would like."
"What I would like is for you to have a romantic thought. And since you want advice, make sure your gift is romantic, but not too flashy or ostentatious."
"Dearest, I am just too Geeky to translate the word 'romantic' into the most appropriate gift and dinner. I know you love me despite my geekiness. Couldn't you just give me a note with the details of what to get you and where to take you?"
"If you ever want affection even once in you life after the holiday, I suggest you drop this conversation now and do what you need to do."
Geek mutters under breath, "I should have slit my wrists a long time ago."
Live Long and Prosper - Thanks Leonard. You are missed.
-- SYS 64738 --
This can be sexual or non, but share with him an interest that he doesn't already know about. Likewise, the follow-up is that you can indulge him in his and provide him with a new facet of yourself to get involved with...
Even if you've been together for a long time, you can probably think back to an old interest / hobby, or good old-fashioned fantasy which you haven't made apparent to him.
Acknowledge to him that it's "for" Valentines, but prepare a celebration based on something strange, unique, trivia-laden, or in other ways geekish. The act of having done so, in order to honor the geek in him/her/it, will probably be far more appreciated that a cool gift for a common holiday. Pick a "holiday" near by Valentine's, such as:
# 14
Feb 11: White Shirt Day, as well as 40th anniversary of the Beatles first US concert.
Feb 12: Barbie's (the doll) birthday. Dress up like Barbie and um.....
Feb 14: Ferris Wheel Day
Feb 15: National Gum Drop Day, as well as Jewlery Day (something for everyone!)
Feb 20: Hoodie-Hoo Day
Or just celebrate any of the things February is chosen as the 'month of' such as chocolate, snack food or candy.
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/february.htm
"I may be synthetic, but I'm not stupid." -- Bishop 341-B
Quagmire: Good thing we swore off women so we wouldn't be distracted and unable to accumulate this vast amount of wealth.
Peter: Yes. You watch the ticker. I'm gunna go microwave a bagel and have sex with it.
Quagmire: Butter's in the fridge!
Give him something *really* special!
Double-team him with one of your girl friends!
You should know better than to ask a bunch of geeks what a girlfriend should get for her boyfriend. The obvious answer will more than likely be: a blowjob, sex, unobligated sex of his type choice (my vote :P), and "Just feed and water him, he should be OK".
:P Of course, doting on him and making him dinner or such would likely be just as appreciated, if not more so: not many typical geeks spend their time cooking. Show him how cool and counter-culture you are (valentine's day is typically a "guy sweats blood trying to please the female, for hopes that she'll appreciate his efforts" affair), and break some rules.
However, in terms of gadgetry, I'd have to put up for these as particularly good products:
Arc-AAA LED Flashlight (they look damned cool and industrial, and are incredible little lights - possibly the AA model, depends on what you're going for)
Kershaw folding knife (I personally like knives; he may not. However, there are a lot of things you can do with a knife that most folks don't think about. You might find that getting him a Swiss Army knife (or leatherman's tool) would be more appropriate to his tastes)
a flight watch - you might be able to find one of these at sub-100$ prices, I'm not sure. Flight watches have lots of nice dials and such that are sure to entertain him; a nice timepiece is fun to wear, IMO.
possibly something like a dremmel - it depends on how much he's into making things; it's possible he already has one, though.
Remember, the cardinal rule when buying gifts for guys, and geek guys in particular is: the exact opposite when shopping for woman. If it's not practical, we don't want it (more often than not). Don't waste your time/money on a card; they're impractical and don't mean anything unless you wrote it/made it yourself anyway.
I'd probably say it's harder to shop for men, as there's got to be a balance met amongst various factors: practicality, whether the person could/would use it, and the "nice to have" factor: sure, you could use a sexy looking flashlight, but a 10$ from kmart would probably do just fine: a nice one like the one above shows you care.
IMO.
~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers