How to Geek-ify Halloween

So you're a geek, or you want to get in with that techie crowd. You can get together with other geeks and have a heck of a Halloween, no matter how "white and nerdy" you are. Just do what comes naturally—to a geek.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start working on your costume. Sure, you might not build a wearable cardboard trebuchet, but you'll want to plan your Halloween outfit early so that you can get it just right. Good geeky costumes involve movie, computer, fantasy or comic references, sometimes all at once. For example, you might dress as Cat-5 Woman or a software pirate. Be creative.
2. Get your gadgets and other good tech. Geeks tend to be traditionalists in Halloween decorating, but with a high-tech twist. You might want to rig up a scary figure hooked to a motion sensor to greet your guests on the doorstep. And you might even add your favorite scary sounds by switching out the sound card for an iPod.
3. Haul out the junk food. And get lots of it. For a truly geek experience, you're going to need foods from the four basic groups: salt (chips, pretzels), sweet (Jolly Ranchers, licorice whips), caffeine (Mountain Dew or other high-octane sodas) and chocolate. Be prepared to spring for pizza, too. And be prepared to have everyone argue over toppings for an hour. It's what geeks do.
4. Party like a geek. Whether they pull out a geeky game like Dungeons and Dragons, Talisman or Cosmic Encounter, or pop in a DVD and have an anime or Mystery Science Theater marathon, geeks will have their fun. Later, someone will mention their new favorite video and everyone will have to check it out (online, of course).
5. Give out something geeky. The trick-or-treaters that your door greeting doesn't scare away will expect something for their trouble. Pick out something from the pile of spare computer parts you have lying around, or dig out that sack of candy you couldn't stand last year.