This weird display needs a constant control signal. Eric used the Bus Pirate BASIC script engine to light it up, his script is in the forum.
Get a Bus Pirate v3b for $30, including worldwide shipping at Seeed Studio. Adafruit also has the Bus Pirate and probe cables in stock and ready to ship.
Muhahaha, let there be BusPirate BASIC Chaos! *evilgrin*