I’ve spent some time making some lenses on Squidoo for our products. This is basically just a way to get the word out on other markets about our computer memory products. After making a new of these lenses, I found that there was no good Lens Group to add them to, so I had to start my own group (sigh). So now I find myself the manager of a Lens group. If you have a lens that you’d like to add to this group, you can find it at:

Squidoo: Computer Parts Place

And here’s a list of the Lenses that I’ve created so far. More will be posted as I create them:

Dell Dimension 2400 – Computer Memory Upgrades

Dell XPS 710 – Computer Memory Upgrades

eMachines T5082 – Computer Memory Upgrades

Toshiba Satellite A135-S4427 – Computer Memory Upgrades

HP Pavilion A305W – Computer Memory Upgrades

Compaq Presario SR1803WM – Computer Memory Upgrades

Acer Aspire 3680 Notebook – Computer Memory Upgrades

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DDR3 is the next-generation evolution of DDR and newer DDR2 memory technology that will break the Gigahertz speed barrier for memory speed.DDR3 memory comes with a promise of a power consumption reduction of 30% compared to current DDR2 modules, due to DDR3′s 1.5 V supply voltage, compared to DDR2′s 1.8 V or DDR-1′s 2.5 V. This supply voltage works well with the latest fabrication technology used for most DDR3 chips. Some manufacturers further propose to use “dual-gate” transistors to reduce leakage of current.

DDR3 is an industry standard technology defined by JEDEC, who is the semiconductor standardization body of the Electronic Industries Alliance. About 300 member companies representing every segment of the computer memory industry actively participate to develop standards to meet the industry needs.

DDR3 memory features higher data bandwidths, faster speeds, lower voltage and power consumption, and improved thermal performance. Lower power consumption will allow longer battery life for laptops. DDR3 memory is engineered to support the next-generation quad-processors that require higher data bandwidth to enable higher levels of performance.

The main benefit of DDR3 comes from the higher bandwidth made possible by DDR3′s 8 bit deep pre-fetch buffer, whereas DDR2′s is 4 bits, and DDR-1′s is 2 bits deep. Theoretically, these modules could transfer data at an effective clock rate of 800–1600 MHz (using both edges of a 400–800 MHz I/O clock), compared to DDR2′s current range of effective 400–800 MHz (200–400 MHz clock) or DDR-1′s range of 200–400 MHz (100–200 MHz). To date, such bandwidth requirements have been mainly found in the graphics market, where fast transfer of information between frames is required.

Prototypes were announced in early 2005, and products started appearing on the market as of mid-2007, in the form of motherboards based on Intel’s P35 “Bearlake” chipset and memory DIMMs at speeds up to DDR3 1600Mhz. DDR3 launched for these special Intel chipset-based desktops in July 2007, and notebook and server platforms will follow in 2008 and 2009. AMD’s roadmap shows they will also support DDR3 as the new memory technology continues its market ramp-up in 2008.

DDR3 memory modules come in 1066MHz, 1333MHz and 1600MHz speeds (data rate), with 1066MHz and 1333MHz DDR3 launched in 2007, with 1600MHz DDR3 expected in 2008. This compares with DDR2 speeds of 533MHz, 667MHz, and 800MHz.

DDR3 DIMMs have 240 pins, the same number as DDR2, and are the same size, but are electrically incompatible and have a different key notch location. This will keep end users from installing an incorrect part into a DDR2 or DDR3 motherboard.

GDDR3 memory, with a similar name but completely different technology, has already been in use for several years in high-end graphic cards such as ones from NVIDIA or ATI Technologies, and as main system memory on the Microsoft Xbox 360. It has sometimes been incorrectly referred to as “DDR3″.

DDR3 will be available on desktops, servers, notebooks, telecommunications/networking and other platforms in the following form-factors:

• Unbuffered DIMMs, ECC or non-ECC
• Registered ECC DIMMs
• MicroDIMMs
• SO-DIMMs
• Custom Modules

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If you are looking for Designer-Inspired handbags, maybe something for the wife or girlfriend (the holidays are just around the corner), one of our bosses’ wives is now selling them! Please visit STL Purse Party at www.stlpurseparty.com. There’s a pretty good selection right now and more being added soon!

If you are in the St. Louis area and are interested in hosting your own STL Purse Party here are the details:

Purse Party Incentives

• 10% commissions on all sales up to $500. Commissions are raised to 15% for sales $501 and up.
• Discount of 20% (max 3 purses).

Hosting a Party

• We can book a party in as little as 1 week (depending on availability).
• We provide the purses and a knowledgeable consultant.
• We provide a check list of “to do’s” so you don’t forget a thing!
• You choose the games, length of the party, and whether or not to serve food/beverages.

If you are interested in hosting a party, send us an email at info@stlpurseparty.com. If you prefer to call and leave us a message please do so at 636-438-1423. We will call you back within 24 hours (Monday through Friday).

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When installing or handling computer memory, you need to be careful of a handful of things. Most importantly you should prepare against Electro-Static Discharge or ESD. It is extremely important to keep yourself properly grounded when working with computer memory. You can ground yourself with an Anti-Static Wrist Strap. Or you can discharge any built up static electricity in your body by touching the metal frame, or chasis, of the inside of your computer.

When installing or handling computer memory, in addition to keeping yourself grounded, you should try to handle the memory by only touching the edges of the memory module. Also, try to keep your fingers off the pins. The oil from your fingers can possible fry a pin when when the computer is booted up with the module installed.

One last tip, if you’re installing memory in a desktop, make sure the computer is powered off, but leave the power cord connected. This will help keep the entire computer grounded while you are installing the memory.

If ESD causes any damage to your memory, the effects may be immediate and the computer won’t work with the ESD damaged memory module installed, or a problem could arise at a later date, making it difficult to diagnose the source. These tips can help prevent major problems down the road.

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and while I was running some reports this morning on search and search results with our www.upgradecomputermemory.com online store, I noticed some interesting things. This post will help you better use our internal search function to find the correct memory for your computer.

Firstly, only about 5.6% of our visitors are making use of the search function. For those of you that are using it, thank you. For those of you who haven’t, it’s located on every page of our site on the right-hand side of our header .

Second, on search terms, it’s helpful to be more specific (but not too specific). For example, a search for “presario” will return far too many results. And conversely, a search for “memory for compaq presario SR1020NX” will not return any results. The most accurate search results will be returned if you search “compaq presario SR1020NX” This search will return only one result, which will be the page that has the compatible computer memory upgrades for the Presario SR1020NX!

Sometimes people have difficulties with their model #’s. It’s often difficult to determine what your computer’s model # is. Sometimes your model # is printed on the front of your computer case, or on the keyboard on a notebook. On some computer’s, you will find your model # on a sticker on the back of a computer case, or the bottom of a laptop. And in some instances, it iss virtually impossible to find your model #. In these instances, you may have to look up your computer’s documentation or owner’s manual.

“Owner’s Manual? Hmmm, i think I tossed that years ago. . .”

Ok, so you don’t have your owner’s manual, don’t worry. We still have options. Many computer manufacturers have an Auto-Detect feature on their support sites. All you have to do is visit your computer manufacturer’s website (from the computer in question) and click the auto-detect button.

A note on Dell and Gateway computers: It is easy to determinie your model # from these support pages. For Gateway, there is a serial # printed on a sticker on the back/bottom of your computer. You can key this serial # into Gateways Serial # Search box on their support page. This will pull up specific information about your Gateway, including your model #. Dell is exactly the same, except they call their serial # a Service Tag.

As a last resort, you can always take a physical look at your memory. If you are not sure how to do this, or have found your computer memory and you don’t know what you’re looking at, give us a ring, we’ll help you out 1-888-277-5227.

Once you’ve found your model #, go back to our website and key in your model # into our search box. This should be enough to get you pointed in the right direction. For better results, please use your model # with you computer’s model name and manufacturer. Example: Dell Dimension 2400.

These tips will help you more effectively use our search function and help you find the correct memory for your computer. And as always, if you have trouble, give us a call!

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Here’s a cool trick I just found. Many of you may already know about this one, but I just found it and I think it’s pretty darn slick.

Google provides a lot of flexibility with it’s search. If you have the Google Toolbar installed, you can customize it further with the addition of buttons. There are over 1000 buttons availabe in the Google Button Gallery.

But here’s the twist… You can create your own custom button for any site you want, as long as it has a search field. Here’s how it works. Go to any site you like and find their search field. You can do a right mouse click in the search field and choose “Generate Custom Search”. This will start an install dialog that will load a custom search button into your toolbar.

The result is that now you can type a search into your Google Toolbar and click your newly made custom Google Search Button and pow, you’re sent to the site you want to search and the search results are displayed.

Take a look at the button I made for our Upgrade Computer Memory site.

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Here’s a life rule that I discovered with the help of my sister, Kirsten. While on vacation in Spain, trying to find the next little church in Donostia, we got lost. We immediately turned around to retrace our steps and gain our bearings. After driving back the way we had come about 10 minutes, we had determined that we had it right the first time (argh).

So we flipped and went back the way we were traveling in the first place. Now granted, we were driving in a beautiful foreign country and weren’t tied to a schedule so the delay wasn’t too bad, but it’s the principle behind the mistake that irked us. We passed the place we turned around and within 5 miles we found our destination!

As we walked up to the church we were visiting, we discussed the matter, and came up with the 5-Mile Rule, which was quickly formalized thus:

“When traveling in a foreign country, and you seem to have lost your way, continue on the pre-described route for another 5 miles, then turn back and ask for directions”

This rule helped us several times on that trip. And, no, I can’t remember the Church we were visiting. Maybe Kirsten can remember for me. (Oh, and Kirst, sorry about not mentioning the House, there may be complications…)

So now I’ve got the 5-Mile Rule. As I’ve said it came in handy in Spain, and other places I’ve traveled to. But I’ve adjusted this rule to several other aspects of life. Now I call it the Rule of 5 – Here’s how it goes:

The Rule of 5 – When working on a simple task, whether it’s driving to an unknown location, researching a topic, getting a job/task completed, apply the appropriate unit in a quantity of 5 (miles, minutes, steps, etc.).

So why am I blogging about this rule on a tech-ish blog,here’s a case in point. Check out the blog entry I wrote earlier today. I decided to add a tool to my blogging “Quiver of Knowledge” (quote from Dr. Germaine Murray of Maryville University). I used the Rule of 5 to avoid wasting time trying to implement this tool. I researched the topic for about 5 minutes and made the decision to stop and adjust my thinking. There are too many things that need to be done in the day to waste more than 5 minutes on.

So, I mentioned my sister, Kirsten. I would be remiss if I didn’t throw out her website. For all the lady’s out there looking for a little bling, she makes beautiful jewelry out of Swarovski Crystals. Check out her site Objets d’Envy

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So as you may or may not know, I’m working more and more on this and another blog. In an attempt to work smarter not harder, I’m constantly searching for things to make this task easier. So, when I came across a very helpful tip from reading Matt Cutts’ blog about quickly adding links, I just had to check it out.

Ok, so here’s the task I set myself. As Matt’s describes, he’s using a link creation javascript that you can load into your bookmarks. I’t's called linkify. A simple highlight of text in any text entry field (not a wysiwyg) and a click of the link will bring up a side panel google search of the highlighted text. Each search result has a Create Link button below it and when clicked – guess what?

I’m getting excited, right? I can hardly believe that this little tool is out there just waiting for me. So here I go. . .

No, wait, opps. This is a nogo for Internet Explorer (sigh). Ok Ok OKAY! I get it. Finally. People have been telling me for years that I should be using Firefox. So why did I wait so long? No, it wasn’t because I’m fiercely loyal to Microsoft. I suppose it’s because I (we) know Internet Explorer so well. It’s familiar, and I can play it like a fiddle. And Firefox has tabs – when this was introduced, my thoughts were “Why have you brought me these tabs, and what have you done with my many many windows of IE?” I was a fool…

FYI – Linkify works BRILLIANTLY! I’m swimming now…

Baby Steps – I’ve decided to dedicate all blog related tasks to Firefox. I suppose I’ve got too much invested in IE to go cold turkey on it.

This blog entry has been written happily via Firefox (with about 8 tabs open!).

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Ok, so here’s a quickie. My new favorite web application is this little favicon generator I found at http://www.htmlkit.com/services/favicon/. So here’s the back story:

One of the bosses came up to me last week and asked me about the little icons that show up in the title bar of Internet Explorer and next to each site in his bookmark list. He was browsing around and noticed them on other sites, but not on one of ours.

It took me a while to remember what these files were called, but a quick google search reminded me fairly quickly (I love how Google can do that!). So I explained the basics to him. Years ago I had helped a family member with this exact issue. At the time I had to download some icon-generator that would output the specific format that these Favicon files need (16×16 .ico format).

When we looked at trying to create one for our site, google helped out again. At http://www.htmlkit.com/services/favicon/ we found an easy converter that will take darn-near any image format or size and convert to this.ico format. Pretty slick! I didn’t have to download any software or try to figure out the file format or image parameters. This web-app gave us a preview of what the .ico file would look like and then let us download the compressed file. The whole process took about a minute.

The only thing I had to figure out was what do do with this favicon. Another quick search and we’re home. The trick is to keep the file named FAVICON.ICO and upload it to your website’s root directory. The browser does the rest. Want to see the site we were working on? Here it is: TopHat Tobacco.

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