Thanks for your readership, all, and I’ll continue to attempt to bring you pertinent info or interesting internet related tidbits, either in blog format or in e-blast format.

If you want to blow your mind on where computers are headed these days, read this article — I would guess this will have a few heads shaking in wonder…. Makes me think we’re much closer than we thought to the sci-fi chip implants for androids and such! Jetsons, Star Wars, etc. — here we come….

On behalf of Da Boss, “Bye for now!”

Steve Colthorp
3Cstudio

As far as the latest studies can tell:

• since 2001 spam has gone from only 5%
• up to “only” 70% in 2004, which is
• still quite a bit less than today’s current numbers: 95% in 2007 (!)

Addendum: Apologies to the Windows-lovers out there — the image of the can of SPAM has a “Powered by Microsoft” sticker on it that may be too small to be legible to some… okay, maybe that’s not a sincere apology, since this Mac-user pointed it out.

There are myriad factors in how spam can proliferate, and there has always been a scramble to cover the loopholes and methods used to fill Inboxes with spam.

My own situation: only about 10-15 junk email make it to my Inboxes in a week — and that is from a combined nine email accounts that I manage.

Some of the measures I’ve taken may help you, but if the address has been “out there” so long as a valid address, it may be time to consider setting yourself up with new addresses and letting the spammed ones die out.
Recently, client Lighthouse Communities Inc. took this approach. Replacing the old username and setting up new mailboxes for the new username, while putting measures in place to not reveal the new address to spammers, has helped reduce spam immensely in recent months.
If you and/or your organization are inundated with spam, let’s explore some possible solutions. I can’t promise that we’ll be completely successful (since nearly no one can), but we’ll take steps to make sure we are implementing the latest measures proven to stem the flow of junk mail.

Have a great 2008!

Yes, it’s true… 3C Studio is growing — in more ways than one. Growth often necessitates change… in this case, fittingly, 3 Changes:

As of January 1, 2008…

1. site:
   OUT — www.3cstudio.com… It’s showing age (2001!) and it is no longer able to limp by and give accurate info about 3C Studio and its features/offerings available. The “cobbler needs to give his kids some new shoes too…”
   IN — more of the development side of website design (making more than just ‘pretty’ web pages), as the web continues to evolve in this era of Web 2.0. This includes features such as: advanced site stats, website control panels, e-mail e-blast services, personalized blog installations, and other interactive features (including e-commerce options and project management collaborative ‘hubs’) to be offered in the near future via a ‘new’ www.3cstudio.com.
2. rate:
   OUT — the 3C billing structure, which is just as old as the 3C website. The separate billing rates for non-profits and for-profits, combined with split rates for project management and design & development, will no longer create 4 different rates.
   IN — two flat rates:
   $50/hr. non-profit;
   $75/hr. for-profit
3. talk:
   OUT — this blog as a main form of communicating with clients… this is the last mass-communication via this blog from 3C Studio. Some items will still go through this blog, including alerts/updates. I suggest (if you want to keep tabs on the latest entries) subscribing to its RSS feed (see the RSS icon at the end of this paragraph). For more on RSS feeds and their benefits, go to: www.whatisrss.com.
   IN — better communications using the 3C CreateSend e-blast setup. Basically, you as a client of 3C Studio will receive an occasional e-news bulletin from me instead of a general mass email which informs you over blog entries such as this one… CreateSend includes the option to quickly and safely unsubscribe from those e-news bulletins at any time.

So, to recap: presentation, billing, and info exchange changes are afoot at 3C Studio. As always, if this news spurs questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me. I welcome a chance to discuss these changes with each of you.

Happy Holidays to you all during this special time of year.

Steve Colthorp

Well, news regarding funds and seeking donations just got better. And who better to get it all rolling than Google:

Google Checkout for Nonprofits

No longer will you have to be ‘taken’ for 4% by the likes of Paypal or other processors.

Thought this might be good news to someone today to brighten their Friday.

Steve

So how is it that August came and went without me knowing it? I have been plugging away on a few projects and completely missed it — didn’t even get a vacation before the Summer had spent itself!

No complaints though… 3C Studio has been quite busy, so that’s a blessing. Thank you all for your interest in development and some unique projects to lend assistance on. It’s a treat and a benefit all-in-one to work on such varying projects.

Some ongoing projects:

• Lighthouse Communities is redeveloping their site and print work, as well as developing a “e-newsletter” via CreateSend, the mailing service offered through 3C. The web-related aspects of this multi-faceted project are set to be launched during the month of September. Though progressing, www.lcgr.net is not quite ready for public viewing, so stay tuned for what’s in store in the very near future.
• The List (movie) has required a great deal of time and involvement on: print pieces, promotions, ministry materials, and website updating/additions. 3C came on board at the “Now Showing” phase of movie biz… quite eye-opening and definitely not constrained to common workday hours, let me tell you! Check out www.thelist-themovie.com for more info and track when it will be hitting a theater near you.
• Proposals for development have been submitted on other projects that look quite promising, two of which have begun first stages of redevelopment… could be a busy Fall! The “Boss” is quite pleased — so much so she has learned to say, “Way go, Daddy!” and hands out hi-fives to all comers…

So, not everyone is lazy during the Summer.
This is possibly the first time in 10 years I can safely say that… I mentioned to someone recently that August and January are slow months generally — just not in 2007! So, being un-lazy in August is a new (and rather welcome) experience…

If you have a project to begin and need assistance from 3C Studio, please feel free to contact me. Be sure to wipe the beach sand off your fingers first, though — it’s deadly to keyboards.

Regards,

Steve

DIGITAL put out this promo video in 1994, the year I graduated from college. Watch at your own risk — may cause you to question where time flies off to . . .

Man, I’m old:

3C Studio provided the mailing service and custom designed templates for the mass-email campaign as part of The Core Media Group team charged with promoting the film. Please view the larger version of the clickable image to the right to get a larger screenshot of what 3C Studio’s CreateSend capabilities are.

If you or your organization has a need for sending out e-news, promotions, reminders or simple notes to remain in touch, be sure to contact Steve at 3C Studio. You can be granted access to the CreateSend interface and see how simple it is to setup and use, and decide from there whether you want to tackle your own email campaign or receive some/all assistance in the process.

I look forward to providing you with ‘net solutions for your everyday needs.

Steve

June 21 marks the start of a hot muggy summer in West Michigan. It also marks the beginning of a new look and feel from 3C Studio over the next couple of weeks — out with the 3 ’swooshes’ for a logo and in with a more ‘active’ look. Same color scheme in general, radically different style. Hopefully you don’t have to look too hard to see the combination of the 3 and the C form the body of the little guy who seems to be hopping on one foot?!

For the last several years, I’ve been putting off doing any internal design updating in order to fully concentrate on cranking out work and finishing projects for others. After enduring many months of feeling like “the cobbler with barefoot children”, I decided it is time to start working on my own image.

So, here it goes… I welcome any feedback you might have! Likes, dislikes, critiques… all of it.

Best,

Steve
3cstudio.com

This year, we have selected 4 recipients of a total of $4,500 to go toward their 2007-08 college tuition in the form checks which are co-signed by the school with the recipient. 3 young ladies and a young man are getting set to begin their freshman year at schools such as GRCC, Western, Calvin, etc. All have proven to be hard workers and goal setters, despite some frighteningly bleak family & financial situations.

Please consider pledging some money to me as I set out to bike 20 miles again this year. . . you may pay by the mile or as a donation amount of your choice. You can even pass this along to others who might be interested in supporting the cause. All I’ll need from you at this time is a response only if you plan to make a contribution — I’ll provide you with further details at a later date (if/when I complete the ride!).

If you are interested in participating (jog, walk, bike, rollerblade, etc.) in the Schrierathon or volunteering with anything that day, please contact Matt Poole at Restorers:
matt@restorersinc.org
(616) 243-1984 x28

For more info about Andy Schrier, the Schrierathon, or the fund and its scholarship recipients, please see: www.restorersinc.org/asmsfund.html

Thanks again. The Andy Schrier Memorial Scholarship Fund doesn’t exist without you all!