http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2211221/microsoft-unveils-singularity

Imagine being a computer hardware scientist; trying to figure out where to start experimenting with implementation ideas.  At some point you might need to rough out an OS or hand solder a motherboard, add some memory, ports, etc. into a crude computer.  Instead you might want to check out the Singularity OS and the BEE3 hardware platform.  These [as I think of them] starter kits can help accelerate experimentation in both areas [OS and hardware]. 

Wish I had these available back in my CompSci days.  Con paz.

frank