Cecil, I must disagree with you that one should emphasize upper body exercises over lower body. First, it is clear that the largest skeletal muscles are in your legs, therefore, working those muscles will not only offer the most potential for growth, but also will produce the most testosterone (which will further aid your muscle growth).
Everything else you said sounds on point, but, as an ectomorph myself, I just want to make it clear to R.E. from Washington that the most efficient way to put on size is this:
25%: weight training with emphasis on squats, deadlifts, bench, pullups (8-12 reps as you said)
75%: EAT (this is the biggest thing that I heard over and over again and did not listen to; when I finally did get with the program, sure enough, results!). If you are a skinny guy, aim for this calorie breakdown: 50% carbs, 25-30% protein, 20-25% fats
***in my years of trial and tribulation, I have to say that the solution to NOT being skinny is painstakingly simple: eat. And if you cant (as I cant) eat enough calories, drink it in shake form. Eventually, once you start putting on weight, your body will naturally begin to require more calories (because you weigh more), and thus your appetite will inevitably increase
this explains in some cases why fat people are fat - they start eating and they cant stop because the fatter they get, the more their body requires - if they are a habitual overeater, then the cycle will never stop.
but, i would assume that most ectomorphs are not in the habit of eating 3000+ calories a day, so as long as you work out 3-4 times a week (as you should anyway) you should have no worries about turning into the michelin man
So, in sum, find out your base metabolic rate (http://health.discovery.com/centers/heart/basal/basal.html), add 500 calories a day (plus an extra 400 on days you go to the gym) and you will gain a pound on body tissue a week
Now that you know the basics, Google to your hearts content and form a plan that you can work with - just remember that putting on weight is all about nutrition, not the gym - the gym keeps you from getting fat and keeps you in shape…
but without eating, your body can’t grow