As much as I love my computer, some things can go wrong with it every once in a while.
Tonight, for example, I had typed up an entire post about a local radio station that streams via MP3 (making it compatible with iTunes) and I had it all ready to go when disaster struck. As I was trying to insert an image into the entry, Firefox decided to crap out on me and my entire system subsequently froze. I'm sure it wasn't helped by the fact that I was running a Software Update at the time and just completely forgot that it was operating. I'm not even going to try to remember all that I had typed. So, I'll just leave the topic alone by saying that you should really check out WONC 89.1 FM's streaming MP3 broadcast.
Normally, this isn't that big of a deal. Any modernized Mac could run both simultaneously without a second thought. But I still have my beloved PowerBook G3 Lombard (same laptop used by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City - but I had mine first) as my primary computer. I haven't upgraded the RAM in this beast since 2000 when I bumped it up to 192 MB from the 64 MB that it came with.
Back in 2000, 192 was pretty sufficient to get just about anything done. Now, however, 192 isn't even up to snuff with the system minimum that comes with almost all new Macs. They all barebone it at 256 MB. And, in most cases, 512 MB is the bare minimum that any self respecting designer would run. Take into account the fact that most of that 192 MB is spent on running OS X.3, it really doesn't leave much for multitasking other operations.
I just haven't bothered to upgrade. And, yet, I know I desperately need to.
I do have some sites in mind. MacSales has the RAM available and for a very doable price. The only catch is that I can only upgrade the topside RAM. You see, the G3 PowerBooks have both upper and lower memory slots for RAM. The upper level is the only slot I can readily access as it's seated right underneath the keyboard. I can't even figure out how to get into the lower slot. Even if I could, the G3 PB only supports a max of 384 MB of RAM and, ideally, I would like to throw a 256 MB chip into both slots to bring the total RAM up to 512 MB.
So, maybe I just deal with it and buy the 256 MB chip that is available on MacSales and upgrade the upper level only to bring my power up to 320 MB. If I can find an easy way to upgrade the lower level (which comes with a native 64 MB chip) or find someone that can do it for me, that would be great. But for now...
Oh, and I'm done procrastinating. I'm buying the damn chip now. I need it. No two ways around it.
Forgive me, Katie. I know I promised to not spend money frivolously right now, but this is far from frivolous and definitely necessary.
