~ Early Web Links ~

Chipmunk International's DRAM chip number decoder walks visitors through identifying RAM chips by manufacturer, covering dozens of brands from Micron and Samsung to Toshiba and Texas Instruments. The guide includes chip scans for visual identification and letter code lookups, making it an invaluable reference for anyone diagnosing or sourcing old memory modules.

Neil Brown's personal tech blog documents a fun budget laptop challenge, sourcing and refurbishing a ThinkPad L380 for under £50 while running a current, supported OS. The site is packed with practical Linux and hardware tinkering posts covering everything from ThinkPad mods to Debian configuration tips.

Benchtest.Com is a detailed technical resource dedicated to testing and comparing CPU cooler software programs like CpuIdle, Rain, Waterfall Pro, and VCool, measuring their impact on processor temperatures and system performance. Created by Jim, the site also covers hardware projects including heat pipes, water cooling builds, heat sink reviews, and overclocking experiments on Celeron and Pentium II processors.

CPU Scorecard is a comprehensive reference database ranking personal computer processors by benchmark performance, covering AMD, Intel, Transmeta, and VIA chips with comparative scores, pricing, and reviews. Visitors can compare CPU speeds and features side-by-side, browse historical processor data, and shop for new or used computers, making it a one-stop resource for anyone evaluating PC processor performance.

Wesg.ca is the personal tech site of a Canadian developer named Wes, showcasing Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects including a 3D printed boat robot, a coffee notification system, and custom PCB builds. The site also lists several small business ventures in logistics and home services, giving it a distinctive mix of maker culture and entrepreneurship.

The late Peter H. Anderson, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Morgan State University, built this extensive technical resource covering embedded processor control using PIC, BASIC Stamp, 68HC11, PICAXE, and related microcontrollers. Visitors will find hardware kits, serial interface modules, data acquisition circuits, and programming tutorials spanning decades of hands-on embedded systems work.

Uwe Sieber's detailed troubleshooting guide covers common USB pen drive problems under Windows XP, including missing drive letters, hidden partitions, GPT/MBR conflicts, and autorun issues. Packed with registry fixes, command-line solutions, and links to specialized tools like UsbTreeView and DriveCleanup, it reads like a seasoned developer's hard-won field notes on USB storage quirks.

Thomas Brand's Egg Freckles is a focused notes-style blog covering Apple hardware, software, and accessories with entries on MacBook Air, iPads, M2 displays, music ripping, and retro Mac topics. The site is a tidy, minimal log of Apple-centric observations and reviews that appeals to Mac enthusiasts and Apple history buffs alike.

A no-frills browser-based tool by Jason Farrell that helps users detect stuck or dead pixels on LCD monitors by cycling through solid black, white, red, green, and blue fullscreen backgrounds. Simple keyboard shortcuts make it easy to navigate between test colors without leaving fullscreen mode.

Vendell's personal tech-enthusiast page features a homelab section, a photography gallery, and an active project archiving old electronics magazines. The site also hosts its own IRC server and status page, reflecting a hands-on approach to self-hosted internet infrastructure.