Good Things Afoot in Flash and Optical

We keep hearing it. The strength isn't just in flash, it's also in optical. Companies like Adtran (ADTN - commentary - Cramer's Take), Tekelec (TKLC - commentary - Cramer's Take), Lucent (LU - commentary - Cramer's Take), JDS Uniphase (JDSU - commentary - Cramer's Take). Companies that haven't seen an uptick in years and years.

I know that the perception is that networking isn't that strong, in part because of Cisco (CSCO - commentary - Cramer's Take). I know the perception that personal computers isn't that strong, in part because of Intel (INTC - commentary - Cramer's Take) and Dell (DELL - commentary - Cramer's Take).

But it is vital not to let those big names blind you to this smaller-cap rally that includes things flash and things optical.

In some ways, this period reminds me of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Because IBM (IBM - commentary - Cramer's Take) and Digital Equipment and Data General didn't have anything cooking, people missed the huge moves that were occurring in personal computer and networking stocks.

Now, I know that this will be a tough rally for all to catch, particularly those who are going to take their cue from the Intel/Dell/Cisco complex. I urge you to dig deeper, into flash and into video and into optical, and into cell phones.

Because that's where the action is happening. And no matter what you do, don't get sidetracked about stuff like scratched iPod screens or Merrill Lynch downgrades of Apple (AAPL - commentary - Cramer's Take).

Those will most certainly throw you off the scent.

Some of this move will be trading-oriented only, courtesy of the almost always (nine times out of last 10 years) uptick in tech.

Others, like Broadcom (BRCM - commentary - Cramer's Take), Qualcomm (QCOM - commentary - Cramer's Take), Motorola (MOT - commentary - Cramer's Take) and Microsoft (MSFT - commentary - Cramer's Take) could be longer term.

I just don't want you to miss it because of Dell or Intel. Who knows, maybe, in the end, even they get legs!

Random musings: If you bought my original highlighted tech basket from the end of May, you are up 10% and I think the rally's just beginning.

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At the timpe of publication, Cramer was long Intel, Lucent, Microsoft and Motorola.

James J. Cramer is a director and co-founder of TheStreet.com. He contributes daily market commentary for TheStreet.com's sites and serves as an adviser to the company's CEO. Outside contributing columnists for TheStreet.com and RealMoney.com, including Cramer, may, from time to time, write about stocks in which they have a position. In such cases, appropriate disclosure is made. To see his personal portfolio and find out what trades Cramer will make before he makes them, sign up for ActionAlertsPLUS by clicking here. While he cannot provide personalized investment advice or recommendations, he invites you to send comments on his column by clicking here. Listen to Cramer's RealMoney Radio show on your computer; just click here. Watch Cramer on "Mad Money" at 6 p.m. ET weeknights on CNBC. Click here to order Cramer's latest book, "Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World," click here to get his second book, "You Got Screwed!" and click here to order Cramer's autobiography, "Confessions of a Street Addict." Cramer appreciates your feedback and invites you to send him an email by clicking here.