Things to Know about SCOT

Have you heard about the SCOT? SCOT (Shared Computer Operated Transport) is a driverless car developed by SMART (Singapore MIT Alliance for Research & Technology) and NUS (National University of Singapore). Scot was launched on January 28, 2014. The car is set to wander around the campus of NUS.

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The researchers developed the car with the cost of US $30000. The electric car is a Mitsubishi i-MiEV. It has four seats with a speed of 130 kilometres per hour. Here are some features that you need to know about SCOT:

LIDAR

LIDAR is a low cost  remote sensing technology. Researchers utilizes laser sensors (of up to 30 meters) that can evade obstacles. Apart from that, the lasers also focus on radar and imaging capabilities. This is the car of the future because it can work even if the lighting is poor. The car can also endure moderate rain. SCOT is equipped with remote sensing technologies that can function without depending on GPS (Global Positioning System).

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Advantages

Researchers developed SCOT because they want to improve the state of public roads. The car is the demonstration of the commitment of students and researchers because they developed the car in not more than six months incurring only S$30000. The advantage of SCOT is you do not need to return it unlike rented cars. This system can lessen transportation grief by decreasing number of car ownership.

Further development of SCOT can see more vehicles transporting Singaporeans from their homes to their specific destinations. It was not mentioned the things it can do for the environment. The carbon emission will surely be reduced with the influx of electric cars.

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Guidelines on How to Choose the Best Accounting Software

There is much software for accounting. However, you are not really sure of what software is perfect for your business or what is easy to use. Whatever, your company is, you will have the same accounting software used by many businesses. However, it only differs in the field or industry the company belongs.

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In the past, accountant’s uses accounting books to record every financial record is in the company. However, today, accounting software is very helpful in businesses whether it is small or huge. Accounting software helps to correct human errors especially in calculations. With the use of this, it will save time from writing and checking on manual check books. Also, it lessens the possibility of having duplicate data.

The main problem of choosing accounting software is that you cannot verify its feature because there are different kinds of them. The software depends on what type of business you have. Sometimes, it may include spreadsheets and more. In order to choose the best accounting software, you must identify some of the accounting basics and its needs. And because million accounting software in singapore can be used or operated by an ordinary individual, it cuts the cost of hiring professional accountants which is much costly.

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The only big question that a businessman asks is “will it be worth it to buy the software?” And when you would ask a software dealer, for sure, he will say that it is worth it. In fact, if you purchase the software, your financial burdens will be reduced. However, if you choose to buy the software for your business, just follow these few tips:

  • Know its features. Because there is much suitable software for any accounting services, you must observe its features and check if you are not having difficulties in using it. In Singapore, most software have almost the same features and it only differs from it appearance in the computer.
  • Try it first. Some of this software has free 30-day trial. Now, if you don’t want the software you can easily uninstall it and find another one.
  • Know your budget. This is very important. You cannot buy software especially if you do not have budget or if you have, know the exact amount so that you can choose from different software.
  • Ask experts. One person that is reliable in giving information about this is an accountant. Accountant can give you some tips on what kind of software you should purchase. However, you can also ask for your friends or competitors who have the same business as you. It will be best if you know what the comments of other people are before purchasing.
  • Make sure it’s secured. Some of this software for accounting do not have feature that restricts to other users. Most dealers of best accounting software are found in Singapore. This provides features that restrict other people to open those sensitive accounts that your company has. If you don’t know to choose or don’t have any idea of what software to buy, just make sure or ask the dealer if it has a good security feature.

In choosing the best software, make sure that it is easy for you to use so that in the end, you will not blame yourself for purchasing the wrong software.

Things to Consider When Asking For House Painting Estimation Cost

Homeowners must first know the factors that may affect the pricing of a house painting project before asking for estimation from painting services contractor. This will let you know how much to expect and for you not to be deceived by opportunists. Different painting services contractors may give you unique estimates depending on their availability and amount of work to be done. In warmer countries like Singapore, where almost every day is suitable for repainting project, the price would mainly vary on the availability of the professionals instead of the climate condition. But in other countries with four seasons, prices are a bit higher during summer and fall than winter and spring.

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Apart from the weather conditions, here are some other factors that may affect the estimations of painting services contractors for your home painting project.

Painting Method Used

House painting can be accomplished in many different ways. Some painters would prefer using spray paints, while others rely on rollers and brushes to paint ceilings and walls. Painting services contractors use spray paint because it is relatively faster than other methods, but can be very messy when painting on trims and windows when not covered and protected. Some would prefer rollers as they give smooth finish and faster completion of job without the mess. But there are also some painters who would prefer using brushes. Though this is the slowest application, many seasoned house painters often rely on them for best results.

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Condition of the Wall

Another factor to consider in asking for cost estimation is your house’s wall condition. Check the walls of your house for any if there are paint cracking or chipping off. Is there mildew, moss, or molds growing on the walls? Are there dents, cracks, and holes that need to be filled? A reputable painting services contractor won’t tolerate and paint over unstable surfaces. Preparation necessities like priming raw wood, caulking imperfections, and scraping off old paint will surely affect the estimated cost.

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Choice of House Paint

The home painting estimation would also depend on your choice of paint to use, which includes the type of finish, quality and brand of the paint, and the color of the paint.  Obviously, painting materials of best quality will cost more. Decide ahead of time if you aim for a first-class project or a cut-rate one. Then make sure to ask what type of materials is used in a given quote. As much as possible, aim for mid-range products that caters both quality and affordability.

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Number of Coating

Professional Singapore painting services contractors know if the surface requires single or multiple coats of paint. If you’re working on a budget, use the same paint color as the old one. Painting dark colors on dark surfaces may only require single coating, but painting light colors over dark may require three to four layers of paint. Since you’ll be paying the labor for each quote, be prepared for a bloated painting cost.

Singapore is the Fourth Greenest

Singaporeans were overwhelmed of the news that the country was considered the fourth in the 2014  EPI (Environmental Performance Index) conducted by Columbia and Yale University. The announcement was announced at the recently concluded WEF (World Economic Forum) in Davos on January 25, 2014. The index is steered every two years. green-singapore_MAIN

The EPI serves as the “report card” of countries. It measures the country’s environmental factors like climate change, pesticide and other issues.  Switzerland got the first spot followed by Luxembourg and Australia. Singapore garnered the fourth spot among 178 countries evaluated. In the 2010 EPI, Singapore was in the 28th spot. Its big jump to the 4th place is an achievement. This proves that the government’s environment initiatives are effective.

If you want to know more about EPI, here are some things that you should be acquainted with:

About the Project

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The EPI is a joint project of Columbia and Yale University. YCELP (Yale Centre for Environmental Law and Policy) and CIESIN (Centre for International Earth Science Information Network) came together to create this project that seeks to gauge and understand human interactions when it comes to the environment.

The Methods and Objectives

EPI is created through the calculation and accumulation of twenty indicators. The twenty indicators are divided into nine categories which includes two objectives. You should know that there are two objectives of EPI. The objectives include ecosystem vitality and environmental health. Ecosystem vitality gauges the country’s resource management and the protection of ecosystem. Environmental health gauges the fortification of human health from the existing ecological harm.

Framework

The objectives are divided into 9 categories that include health impacts, air quality, water and sanitation, water resources, agriculture, forests, fisheries, biodiversity & habitat and climate & energy. The twenty indicators include child mortality, household air quality, air pollution, access to drinking water, access to sanitation, wastewater treatment, agricultural subsidies, pesticide regulation, change in forest cover, coastal shelf fishing pressure, fish stocks, national biome protection, global biome protection, marine protected areas, critical habitat protection, trend in carbon intensity, change of trend in carbon intensity and trend in CO2 emissions per kilowatt hour. The framework constitutes the objectives, categories and indicators.

Calculating EPI

The calculating of EPI commences with changing fresh datasets to standardized indicators. The standardization of raw values are based on comparable indicators across countries like the population, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and other indicators. The changed datasets are used to compute and analyse indicators mentioned above. EPI utilizes a methodology that evaluates how close a specific country is to their “policy target”. The “policy target” is set by CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity). The scores are from 0 to 100 (0 being the farthest and 100 being the nearest from the “policy target”).

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What You Need to Know about Anxiety Trick

goodman-anxiety Have you heard about anxiety trick? Before you understand the concept of anxiety trick, you should know the anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is the feeling of great fear even if there is no presence of danger. Anxiety disorder is common and it is a frustrating problem. With this problem, people get tensed and afraid even if they are not in danger. These people struggle to always protect themselves which increase their troubles and tension. That is anxiety trick.

In simple words, the smallest discomfort will be interpreted as danger thus the trick. Your mind is fooling you. If your brain interprets it as danger, you can either fight it, flight or freeze. If it is weaker than you, you will fight. If it is stronger but sluggish, you will run and it if it looks strong and fast, you will simply freeze.

If you want to know more about anxiety trick, you should be familiar with the following things:

The Victims of Trickery

If you have panic disorder, you will be tricked into thinking that you are going to die or you are losing your mind. If you have social phobias, you will be tricked into thinking that you are nervous standing or talking in front of many people; you will think that you will be humiliated. If you have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), you will be tricked into thinking that your household or office will be in terrible calamity. If you have anxiety disorder, you will be tricked into constant worrying.

How You Get Tricked

Remember that we all have our natural instinct to protect ourselves. This is the main reason why people are tricked. For example, if you have a social phobia, your instinct is to protect yourself so it will tell you to flee the area that distresses you so much. For people with anxiety disorder, they are always worried about “what if’s”. These people will not be able to take care of present things. For people with OCD, they get tricked into frequently checking the doors or washing their hands. These people will exhaust their energy doing things over and over again.

What Retains Anxiety Trick

The more you protect yourself, the more you retain the anxiety trick. Patients who are seeking for help often say that the harder they try, the worse it becomes. If that is the case, the patients should look at the methods they are using. The anxiety trick will always stay if the person thinks that they evaded a major catastrophe because of their actions. For example, because they checked the stove many times, they saved the household from burning.

Overcoming the Trick

Anxiety trick is destructive. If you want to overcome the trick, you should ask for professional help so it will be more effective. If you ask for professional help, they will implement behavioural or cognitive methods and exposure. If you are serious to overcome this, you should be ready. It will be hard but it will do you good.

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Singapore Rules

Rules imposed strictly are meant for authority and order of a society. There are certain things which we would give up and stop in order to achieve a well-disciplined nation. This is what I learned from Singapore. Below are some DON’Ts in this disciplined country.

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Chewing Gums

The country is not a big fan of chewing gums. These candies are prohibited in Singapore. This ban was enacted on 1992 and still existing. You cannot bring gum from other country and this is a popular rule observed by tourists. People chewing gums just dispose it anywhere so the government decided to ban it. Rather than educating people, they cut the root of the problem.

Eating in public vehicles

Tried eating and drinking in buses or trains? In Singapore, eating and drinking on transport trains and buses is prohibited. Posters which say a penalty of up to S$500 will be imposed for those who are caught violating this law. Better be full before traveling!

Jaywalking

Reckless pedestrian crossing or Jaywalking is a big offense in Singapore. You have to walk half mile to reach a certain walk bridge to cross the road, but again it’s for the benefit of the people since vehicles are driving at a high speed.

Unregulated fireworks display

Important seasons are more fun to celebrate with fireworks but this is not a good idea for Singapore. Selling or buying of firecrackers are banned in Singapore, yes you heard it right! But there are fireworks displays for special events or shows.

Many would think of these rules as pretty harsh and crazy but honestly, these could contribute more benefit and disciple to the society.

Must-Visit Locations in Singapore

Singapore has proven to the world that it is a blossoming country most especially as a tourist destination. It has been recorded as an enjoyable tourist destination with fun attractions. Here are top destinations to love Singapore more.

1. Universal Studios

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Universal Studios Singapore is the top tourist destination in the country located in the Resort World Sentosa. It is divided into 7 zones: Madagascar, the Palace of Far Far Away from, the Lost World where Waterworld is located, Ancient Egypt, Sci-fi and the two zones are America’s cities- New York and Hollywood.

2. Singapore Zoo

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If you’re an animal lover, Singapore Zoo is perfect for you. In here you can see animals you’ve never seen in your life. Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere at the Night Safari during sunset. This zoo does not just give entertainment but also education for visitors about the diversity of the ecosystem and rain forests.

3. Botanical Gardens

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An Eden in the city – this is how would Singapore Botanical Gardens is best described. Recharge to the cool air from green trees and variety of plants. The garden is approximately 64 acres. The National Orchid Garden is the highlight in this spot with more than 3,000 species of orchids.

4. Boat Quay

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Relax from the soothing jazz music or groove into the dance floor at Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. Famous for young executives and couples from work and even tourists, this place is best for clubbing.

5. Singapore Flyer

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Enjoy the 360 degrees view of Singapore as you take a ride at the tallest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer. Opened early 2008, reaching 165 meters, the Singapore Flyer takes your breath away as you have a full view of the whole Singapore.

Singapore is a good place to visit anytime but the months June to August is the perfect time to love the tropical climate.

Helping Your Children Manage Their Feelings

Lately, you notice your kid distant, not eating well and losing weight. There must be something wrong that he/she is not telling you.  You need to find out what it is before it takes all the good things. If you discovered that your child is having difficulties managing his/her feelings, it is time to step up. You should help the child cope up with his/her emotions because it is good for his/her psychological and social wellbeing.

You play a vital role in your child’s ability to identify, comprehend and express his/her feelings. Here are some ways you can help your child when it comes to managing his/her feelings:

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1. Spend time with them

Children with issues feel lonely because no one is there for them. You should not let your kid suffer loneliness. It is important that you spend time with your children so they will know you are always there for them.

2. Getting them to open up

When you spend time with your children, you should talk about your feelings. This is to encourage them to open up. For example, you can tell your children that you are scared about something and you will say that it is okay to be afraid sometimes.

3. Labelling their emotions

It is crucial that you help your children when it comes to labelling feelings. You can help label their feelings by talking to them. For example, you will say “looks like you are excited for your field trip” or “looks like you are sad because you are not invited to the party”.

4. Do not reprimand

Never scold or reprimand your child for his/her feelings. Just let your child be for a few moments. If you shout at them every time they cry, they will believe that feelings of sadness or hurt should be hidden. For example, if the child is angry and throwing toys, you can say “I can feel that you are angry but you should pick your toys now and return it to the proper place”. Do not say “stop whining and return your toys right now or else…”

As you help your children go through their feelings, things will be better. Next time, they will know how to handle, respond and manage everything and it will continue until they grow up. Certainly, they will become stronger.

Helping Teens Cope with Stress

Stress is not only an adult thing. Teenagers are not exempted from stress too! Teenagers should be taught about managing their stress so they can carry on with their daily activities. Stress for teenagers may come in different forms. For example, school demands, negative thoughts, body changes, divorce or separation of parents, family problems, moving to another place, transferring to other school and many more.

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If the teen is unable to cope up with stress, it will lead to aggression, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, withdrawal, anxiety and illness. As a parent, you can help your teens deal with stress by:

Monitoring

You need to be vigilant when your kid is in a stressful situation. You should monitor if stress is affecting their health. You also need to check on their behaviour or feelings and make sure it does not affect their health.

Listening

You can check on their behaviour or feelings by talking to them. You should encourage your teens to talk to you and tell them that you can help. Sometimes teens find it hard to open up because they are afraid of judging or nagging. Just let them know you are there.

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Supporting

Your support will mean a lot to your teens. You have to support, encourage and motivate your teens especially if they are involved in sports and other social activities. Do not let them sulk inside the house because it will only worsen the situation.

On the part of the teens, they should do their best to cope up and do not let stress ruin their life. They can do many things so they cannot think about stress – even if it is only a few hours. They can sleep, exercise, do outdoor activities, go out with friends, listen to music, reading a book and many more.