Geeky Gadgets for Halloween Parties?

Neurotoxic666 asks: "Like many others, my friends and I are going to hold a costumed party for Halloween, however we do not want it to be the typical haunt. We have some talent in computers and electronics, but we're short of ideas. Are there any good gadgets and props that the average geek can build to spice up the party? Of course, there will be the usual ambient sounds and decoration, but we're looking for more interactive, dynamic and techie stuff. One idea I've had is to use the living room computer on the TV and have white noise, ghosts and other creepy effects appear throughout the night. Does anyone have some suggestions, ideas we could build, effects that worked well in your parties? Anything from heart-beating books to special lightning to mad science devices is welcome!"

Comments

Re:led light?

[jrockway]

Your two examples are not examples of the same problem.

In the "LED light" example, the most correct terminology would be "LED-based light fixture". However, LED light is not incorrect... the LED is a diode that emits light, while an LED light is a lamp that contains a (few) light-emiting diodes. After all, you wouldn't call an incandescent lamp a "filament" (after it's light-emitting module), right?

In the "ATM machine" example, you are right. You wouldn't call it an "Automated Teller Machine machine". That's clearly redundant.

You could do better, though, by typing your personal PIN number into the automated ATM machine... to get cash to build an redundant RAID array out of inexpensive disks.

BTW, I promise not to sic the metamods on you if you mod this down redundant :)