Ruckingenur II is the Reverse Engineer game! From the same people that brought you Silicon Foundry.

I've always had a hard time explaining how much fun it is to tear something apart, and figure out how it works. It's a weird type of entertainment and engagement to try to get across to non-technical people. This game is BY FAR the most fun game in the category, and it really gets the idea across. It takes a little bit of technical know-how to get into, but anyone who has programmed anything should be able to pick it up, and play with it a bit.

Now, if only they had an iPhone version of the game....

Also in the goody-two-shoes category. On Friday Aug 22nd in Bellmawr NY is a gamer-centric and gamer run fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This Friday they will have things rocking from 4PM to 10PM at the #33 Fire Hall in Bellmawr, NJ . Their official site is one giant 2001 style image at extinctionlevelevents.com.

What can I say? It's a good day for civic engagement. And video games.

Hey folks. Did you do your good deed for the day yet? If you didn't (or you pulled some crap, and need to get 2 good deeds today) here is your chance. Critical Path ISP provides free (and ad-free) dial up internet to around 10,000 low income people in greater Philadelphia. It's late 2008 and internet access is a must, and unfortunately for a lot of those people free dialup is their only option.

Due to city budget cuts (yea!) Critical Path has lost a good chunk of funding. To keep their funding, supporters need to make it clear that Philadelphia tax payers thing they deserve to keep their budget. They are looking for people to co-sign their letter to the mayor (warning: pdf). Email jjfink@fight.org your name and organization if you want to sign on in support.

I generally don't post this kind of petition or politics stuff, but come on?! You can't even apply for many jobs without an email account these days. Bite the bullet, sign on, and earn your goodie-two-shoes credit for the day.

For those hackers (most of you) that keep an eye on the old-school security hacking DEFCON 16 just ended yesterday in Las Vegas. So below is our quick wrap-up of DEFCON 16, the highlights and lowlights of a week of security conference madness.

Medeco keys get recreated just from pictures. Whoops? At least it's not a bic pen?

Wired got a tour of DEFCON 16 NOC keeping tabs on that has got to be one of the most awesome network management tasks ever.

There is a great story on geek night life by a little newspaper company in NYC. Congrats to IgniteNYC , NYC Resistor, and the whole NYC geek scene on the great coverage!

If you hadn't noticed, Philly's scene is rocking too. We had a great iSepta/ripit launch party (photos) and there is an awesome event this Thursday from us at The Hacktory. And of course we also have Junto, an upcoming BarCamp Philly and we just had a sweet Fail Camp. And that off the top of my head, without doing a web search!

Next time (and I'm not the first one to say this) we just need get our two sister-cities to do huge awesome events together!

That is this Saturday (tomorrow) from 1PM to 8PM at The Hacktory!

Then on Sunday is the Make:Philly BBQ. Come and grill some stuff, launch some Water Rockets, and get soaking wet.

I hate to admit, we've been so busy with planning Geeks and Toys we forgot to announce it, but it's happening (as it does every month).