2005: Banner Year for Scarab Media!
Our sincerest thanks and gratitude to our wonderful clients whose helpful feedback and continued business has greatly contributed to Scarab's continued growth.  We look forward to 2006 as we embark on new projects and continue to expand our internet related services and tools to better benefit our customers and their
web-related needs. 

Covered in this newsletter:

• Scarab Media Continues to Grow
• New eBay Selling Drop Off Services
• Enterprise Level Web Store Software
• Expanding Our Team
• Web Portfolio
• Tools to Speed Up a Sloooooow Computer
• Don't Lose Your Domain to Hijackers! (Important!!)

New eBay Selling Drop Off Services
www.dropndash.com

Need to clear out the garage?  Want to tidy up the cupboards, the workshop or the kids' playroom? Clear up all that clutter with DropNDash* and turn your collectibles or unneeded items into CASH! 

You've likely seen a couple of eBay "Resellers" pop up in the area recently. This is service we've been offering for some time now. Scarab Media is the first and only authorized location for DropNDash, LLC. 

We photograph, list & sell your items on eBay. Nick Glandon, former support and office manager for Grants Pass Unicom office, is an eBay expert and can direct you on how to get your items sold.  Along with his excellent knowledge of the intricacies of how to sell for the biggest buck on e-Bay^TM., Nick has over 5 years and a superior rating as a valued eBay member and has obtained a "Preferred Trading Assistant" status for DropNDash, LLC with e-Bay^TM.

Give our site a visit or call Nick 541-734-7308  or toll free at 1-888-755-7308. We currently have auctions for items that range from $25.00 to $15,000.

*DropNDash, LLC is a partnership between Andy Spliethof, president of Scarab Media and Nick Glandon.

Enterprise Level Web Store Software
www.aspilot.com

Pilot Cart: Our world class e-commerce web site solution continues to evolve and out perform other shopping cart programs. It allows you to create web pages as well as access, modify and update your own web based shopping cart, saving you time and money. You can list new items, run promotions and sales as well as offer self-created coupons. The software comes complete with comprehensive reports which show orders received within a defined date range, products in stock and even the popularity of products offered. For more information, visit our site at www.pilotcart.com.

To evaluate our software prior to adding to your own site, please feel free to view the following reference sites:
www.ZensualHome.com
www.BIGBULLBilliards.com
www.CrazyMinis.com
www.TheGameCorner.com

Expanding our Team
We would also like to introduce the following new members to the Scarab Media Team:

Chris Knox, Graphic Artists and Web Developer: From 1999-2001, Chris held a position as Web Developer and Graphic Artist for CyberNet, Inc., under the employ of Andy Spliethof (former CEO and current President of Spliethof, Inc. dba Scarab Media). His excellent sense of  creativity and inventive design are a tremendous asset to our growing company. Chris is primarily responsible for web site updates and enhancements, primary design concepts as well as teaming with our other developers to produce groundbreaking new web sites. 

Tracy Hurst, Office Administrator: With our team in place we really needed someone to maintain a reasonable level of sanity in a male-based, tech-crazy work environment.  Tracy has years of experience in office and personnel management as well as customer relations.  She is our front line... the smile on the other end of the phone and the greeting at the front door.  In addition to office management Tracy is also your primary contact for billing related issues.  For questions on your statement, you can contact her at 734-7308 or billing@scarabmedia.com.

Other staff you may come in contact with:

Chris Zwemke, Lead Programmer: Chris has been professionally coding since 1999. He is an expert in e-commerce programs and site management solutions centered on usability and speed. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from SOU, he has BS in Computer Information Science and a business minor. He held a position as instructor at SOU Computer Science Lab throughout 2000-2003 and is the lead developer for the ASPilot Suite of web tools.

Josh McDonald, Systems Administrator & Customer Support: Josh has been involved with computers and networking since 1996. Areas of expertise and knowledge base include: networking, computer hardware and a wide variety of software applications. From 1999-2001 he held a position as Network Administrator for CyberNet, Inc., under the employ of Andy Spliethof (former CEO). He then went to work for Falcon Northwest, one of the nation’s top rated PC manufacturers, where he built, repaired and provided technical support for top-of-the-line computer systems. Based on this long-term experience and his ability to work well with customers, Josh was our #1 choice for Scarab Media’s system administrator when the position became available. We are happy to be working with him once again and are sure you’ll enjoy working with him as well.

Andy Spliethof, Lead Developer & President

Our Web Portfolio & Rogue Valley Online Listings

We have added a considerable number of client sites to our portfolio page.  See various website design ideas as well as products and services. 

View online at: www.scarabmedia.com

As a web site owner or manager, please remember that we offer free listings in our online Business Directory, interRogue, online since 1995. www.interRogue.com.

Simply browse to the category of your choice and look for the "add a link" option at the footer on the page.

Is Your Computer Running Slooooow?

Through the internet, there are scores of programs that may have inadvertently been installed on your system.  Many are disguised as some really cool search, game or graphic program.  In reality, these programs have one primary thing in common...  they SPY on you. Yes, it's true.  It's called Spyware and these programs track everywhere you go on the web and report it back to the individuals  who developed it.  Additionally, it makes your computer operate so slowly that in some cases it becomes useless. Before you run out and download "Anti-Spyware" software or purchase a $50 Spyware Removal tool, use these free software applications available from  Microsoft:

• Anti-Spyware Tool: This program will update itself with the newest list of bad software and continuously scan to keep it off your system.

• Malicious Code Removal: Removes Trojans that can allow someone out there to control your pc either to ruin it or SPAM the world using your e-mail account.

Domain Hijackers

A more and more prevalent practice by many companies who register domains is to send what seems to be a bill for domain renewal to people who already own a domain name. One company in particular, Domain Registry of America, sends a sneaky little "Contract to transfer domain name" to the unsuspecting domain owner that "appears" to be a domain renewal bill.

The problem?

They are charging more than DOUBLE the cost to renew and they take control of  your domain. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU.  If you encounter ANY information about renewing your domain that does not come from Scarab Media or a company you are familiar with, please contact us BEFORE sending your money.

Office Information

Office Hours:
Scarab Media is open Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. You may also contact us at any one of the following emails:

President: Andy Spliethof andy@scarabmedia.com
Accounts Management/Treasurer: Shelley M. Spliethof sam@scarabmedia.com
Lead Programmer: Chris Zwemke, chris@scarabmedia.com
Web Development & GUI Creation: chrisk@scarabmedia.com
System Admin. & Support: Josh McDonald, admin@scarabmedia.com
Billing Questions or Comments: billing@scarabmedia.com

Location/Mailing Address:
Scarab Media accepts visitors by appointment only. Please call ahead and schedule an appointment if you would like to stop by and talk with us.

Scarab Media
835 E. Main St Ste A
Medford, Oregon 97504
541-734-7308 Local
888-755-7308 Toll Free
866-728-8436 Fax

Late Payment Policy:
Scarab Media does not offer extended terms on services. Payments for all services are due upon receipt. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged for all payments 30 days past due. Services will be terminated for all accounts 90 days past due. Web development payments can be made by mail, online at www.scarabmedia.com or you may sign up for automatic payment.  All hosting services, domain purchases and pay-per-click/site submission services are available thru automatic payment processing only.  If you require special payment options regarding your bill, please contact our accounts manager, Shelley Spliethof by email at billing@scarabmedia.com.

You may also use our

Scarab Media is a division of Spliethof, Inc. online at www.spliethofinc.com