Costly Car Repairs

Leave a Comment on Costly Car Repairs

There’s no better reason for keeping up with your regular car maintenance than to avoid paying costly repairs in the future. If you have never changed your car’s oil, never rotated its tires, or do any maintenance work, really, other than keeping the tank full, chances are you will have to pay thousands of dollars for a few repairs soon.

For those who haven’t yet learned their (financial) lessons about car maintenance, here’s a list of the most costly repairs that can happen to your vehicle when you skip regular upkeep.

1. Airbags

It’s amazing how very few people get seriously injured in car accidents; and the main reason for such safety is the airbags. The only problem airbags have is that they have to be at their best condition at all times. So once they are used, they need to be replaced right away. In addition, the deployment of the airbags can damage the surrounding components such as the glove box and the steering wheel.

2. Suspension System

The suspension is usually unnoticeable when it’s working properly. You won’t feel the dips and bumps in the road if you keep your suspension system in its best working condition. Unfortunately, this car component is made up of several parts, such as the struts, shocks, tie rods, and springs. Although usually only one part of the system needs to be replaced, a repair with car repair services in Singapore gets really expensive when a system overhaul is required.

3. Transmission Assembly

This piece of machinery is probably the most complex part of a vehicle. It holds a collection of levers and gears that assist your car to shift direction. Replacing your car’s transmission can get extremely expensive, definitely no less than a thousand dollars, and takes hours of intense labour. Bring your car only to a trusted car repair company to have this job done.

4. Hybrid Car Battery

Hybrid cars are ‘in’ right now, but many car owners in Singapore do not know that there is a tremendous hidden cost with purchasing this type of vehicle. Any rechargeable batteries eventually loses its ability to retain a charge over time, and batteries for such cars will likely die no more than a decade of use. If you opt to replace the battery, you will also have to replace the car’s computer system, which will surely cost you much more than having a car with standard battery.

5. Engine

If, after a check-up, your mechanic says that you have a major engine problem, you’re in a big trouble. It could probably mean that there’s something wrong with the cylinders of your engine. The repair will include removal of entire engine from the vehicle, and your best bet is to get a new engine rather than fix the issue in the old one.

6. Hybrid Inverter Assembly

This car repair is costly because Hybrid car parts aren’t always readily available in many automobile shops. Moreover, since the only warning sign for this problem is the ‘check engine’ light, issues in this area can be hard to detect. Although it doesn’t fail that often, when it does, replacement usually don’t go less than a thousand dollar.

7. Catalytic Converter

Singapore requires emission testing for cars, making catalytic converters an essential car part. This car component is responsible for converting harmful chemicals in exhaust fumes into harmless compounds. Luckily, the converter is located just between the muffler and the engine, making it easy for mechanics to locate and replace the component.

8. Fuel Injection Pump

This pump is the part of your car that moves the fuel from the tank into the engine, and is the most important component for the car’s operation. Replacing the pump is an easy task, but it is usually located in an area that needs extra effort to access. Replacing it with a new one can cost hundreds of dollars, not to mention the labour fee for the extensive work required.

9. Air Conditioning System

Imagine driving around the hot and humid streets of Singapore without using your car’s air conditioner. Having that cool, relaxing breeze is important for your comfort, but fixing a broken air conditioning system can be very costly. Just having your A/C checked and recharged will charge you a few hundred dollars, but an extensive repair cost much more.

10. Turbocharger

More car manufacturers today are making their mid- and high-end car models with turbos built-in to them. Turbochargers function by forcing more fuel and air into the engine cylinders, resulting to faster acceleration. If your vehicle has turbocharger, your car makes a slight hissing sound when shifting gears and a whining noise as you gain speed. The part alone is already expensive, so replacing it with a new one never comes cheap.

11. Camshaft

The camshaft is what keeps a car’s engine valves operating, and controls the flow of air into the engine. A replacement of an entire camshaft can cost you a couple thousand of dollars, but it is totally preventable as long as you keep your oil changed regularly and have your camshaft adjusted periodically. For high-end cars, using a low-grade gas can impact the operation of the car’s camshaft, so make sure to provide your engine with premium stuff every once in a while.

What do these costly repairs is telling us? That those car owners who think are saving more money from skipping regular maintenance sets themselves up for some serious financial liability. The longer you go without car servicing, the more chances for you to land to a skyrocketing car repair bill. Do not let this happen. Schedule an appointment to a car servicing company today.

Exploring Video Game Genres

Leave a Comment on Exploring Video Game Genres

 

Learning which genres you’re interested in will help you narrow down titles the next time you shop. The list will also show you what you have been missing so far.

Action

 

Action relies heavily on fighting and requires the player to have fast reflexes, quick decision-making and good hand-eye coordination. Some action games have stories. Under action are shooters, fighting and platform games like Counter-Strike, Mortal Kombat and Super Mario.

 

Adventure

 

Adventure lets you explore and requires the player to come up with strategies to overcome obstacles or complete a task within a story. They immerse the players in an elaborate story and gameplay more than action games. It includes visual novels, and real-time 3D adventures like Amnesia, Uncharted, Myst and Heavy Rain.

 

Action-Adventure

 

Action-adventure has the qualities of both action and adventure genres. The line between the two has blurred over the years. Examples are Grand Theft Auto V, Tomb Raider, and Dark Souls. Survival horror like Resident Evil are also considered action-adventure as well as metroidvania games like Axiom Verge, Cave Story and Ori and the Blind Forest. The name comes from the games Metroid and Castlevania.
Card and Text

 

Card and text games of old have digital versions. Most of these games can be played on mobile phones and handhelds but are also available in other platforms. Check out card games like Magic Duels, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, and Pathfinder Adventures. Text games usually employ an elaborate story and background for the player to interact with, that’s why it’s called interactive fiction. Examples are Andrew Plotkin’s Shade and The King of Shreds and Patches.

 

Puzzle

 

Puzzle games require the player to overcome obstacles by coming up with witty solutions. Some however need only one solution out of many possible choices. Examples are Tetris, Limbo, Trash Panic, Echochrome, and Picross 3D.

 

Role-Playing

Role-playing games or RPG require players to handle a predefined or customized character who improves as the game progresses. It usually has an overarching story and a menu-based system of combat. RPGs may also employ game mechanics in other genres like action, adventure, and strategy. Examples are Suikoden, Baldur’s Gate II, Skyrim, and Dragon Age. It also includes sandbox games like Minecraft.

 

Simulation

 

Simulation constructs an environment for you or places you in situations that imitate real-life persons, objects, places and events. SimCity, Gran Turismo, Flight Simulator X, and The Sims are examples.

 

Strategy

 

Strategy lets you control pieces to outwit your opponents. It’s like chess but in video games you usually command a unit or an entire army. Examples are Red Alert, Warcraft, XCOM and Civilization.

 

Sports

 

Sports lets you experience sports without having to sweat so much. Sports games include racing like Burnout Paradise, professional sports league-inspired games, and extreme sports like SSX Tricky and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.

 

Others

 

Most games cannot be rigidly classified within one category. Each of those mentioned above serve only as guidelines for classification. Action can be part of any game. Puzzles are also becoming more common in adventure games. Some RPGs also employ strategy and all games are fundamentally simulations.

 

12 Recommended Young Adult Novels

Leave a Comment on 12 Recommended Young Adult Novels

 

Besides the popular titles available in the bookshops like the fantasy and dystopian novels that have saturated the shelves, why not try these other novels?

  1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

 

Orphan Anne Shirley was sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who wanted to adopt a boy. They were planning to teach their new son to help them in their farm.

 

  1. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

 

Jackie’s father Jack doesn’t like Greenville, South Carolina because of the discrimination. His wife Mary Ann later left with the three children, including Jackie, to live with their grandparents.

 

  1. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

 

Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss were looking for a human test subject. They were successful in increasing the intelligence of the mouse Algernon. Charlie Gordon, who had an IQ of 68, was picked as the subject.

 

  1. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

 

Brian Robeson was on his way to visit his father when the plane pilot had a heart attack and Brian had to crash-land. He has to try surviving in the forest with only a hatchet given by his mother.

 

  1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

 

When an airplane crashed at a remote Pacific island, the only survivors were boys. They tried to live together, but first they had to elect a chief.

 

  1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

 

Arnold Spirit Jr. wants to become a cartoonist. His family lives at the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington where he detailed his everyday struggles in a diary for a year.

  1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

Liesel Meminger’s life during World War II in Germany is narrated by Death. When her brother died, she was taken in by Hans and Rosa Hubermann who later helped a Jew named Max. He taught her how to read.

 

  1. The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

Jonas lives in a society where pain and even happiness have been eliminated. The residents live in a tightly-controlled community where everyone plays a specific role. Jonas was to become the next Receiver of Memory, but his training opened his eyes to a world alien to his own.

 

  1. The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

 

The novel is set in a country called Opium located between Aztlan and the United States. Drug lord Matteo Alacran had lived in it for over a hundred years and has a clone with the same name.

 

  1. The House of Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

 

Esperanza Cordero’s family lived in many other places before settling at the house on Mango Street. She wanted to get away from her experiences so she started writing a book.

 

  1. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

 

Ponyboy Curtis of the Greasers met Cherry from the rival group Socs. This caused an uproar between two groups, resulting to the death of one of the members.

 

  1. Watership Down by Richard Adams

 

The home of the group of civilized rabbits, the Sandleford warren, is threatened. A group sets out to find a new home, but first they have to overcome more obstacles.

Benefits of Biking to Work

Leave a Comment on Benefits of Biking to Work

 

Why should you offer your employees the opportunity to bike to work? Why should you include bike for work scheme in the employee benefits package? You’ve already worked hard building your company a good name so you can attract the best applicants. How about finding ways so you can keep these valuable people in your company for a long period, curb turnover, and earn everyone’s loyalty? Or, how about investing in an employee rewards platform that will help boost productivity in the workplace? You don’t have to choose, really. You can achieve all of this by incorporating bike to work schemes in the salary sacrifice benefits you’re offering employees.

By doing so, you also benefit in the process. As you encourage your employees to bike to work, they also gain an opportunity to exercise regularly. Instead of commuting or driving their car to work, they can cycle and arrive in the office feeling energized. When your employees are healthy, the need to file for sick leave is reduced. Your employees will be able to avoid absences. Not everyone enjoys the commute and driving to work. By offering your employees another option so they can reach the office in a more convenient and faster way, you’re also helping lift their mood. You know how much it helps improve productivity when you’re starting the day in a positive attitude.

Ask your employees today if they are still able to include exercising or going to the gym to their daily routine. Chances are you’d hear some say they do not have time, or that they couldn’t afford another expense that is a gym membership. As long as the weather is good, there’s no reason your employees wouldn’t be able to exercise when there’s a bike for work scheme they can take advantage of. They will no longer have to worry about parking space and fees. They can even park their bike near the office building so they no longer have to walk far. At home, they can use their bikes for their errands. If their kids happen to love cycling, then they now have more opportunities to bond with their little ones.

In case you haven’t heard yet, bike to work schemes is also one of the most popular salary sacrifice product in the Singapore. If you’re worried how you will execute this all when you’ve already a lot on your plate, then you can always look into employee rewards platforms online. This way, you can have a professional team back you up in building a reward programme for your employees. You’re also provided assistance in managing employee data so the process also becomes easy for your Human Resources and Payroll team.
Cycling to work can be seamlessly integrated into the rewards programme without you doing the hard work. Do check out employee rewards systems online today. Explore the services they offer and take time to get in touch with the customer service to learn more about their approach. Do this for your employees. Get them to bike to work and make them happier. In turn, your business will benefit too.

How to Do Your Own Plumbing

Leave a Comment on How to Do Your Own Plumbing

 

If you want to do your own plumbing, you should first check some Singapore plumbing forums to give you a better idea of what’s up ahead. The internet has always been our safe haven when we want to know and learn something new. It is because the internet has a wide variety of information that really helps us get through all the burdens we face in our daily lives.

Advantages of DIY plumbing

Some people who have heard that there are people who do their own plumbing tasks think that this idea is ridiculous. What these people do not understand is that it is possible to do plumbing works without the help of a professional plumber. If you have the willingness to learn, the patience to execute simple to complex tasks and the urge to read a plumbing forum Singapore based sites to gain more knowledge, without a doubt, you can be your own great plumber.

The best thing about doing this task without hiring a plumber is that you gain knowledge and develop some skills. Since you are doing it by yourself, you do not have any choice but to learn it all. Another advantage of doing this by your own is that you will be able to save some cash.

How? It is because you no longer need to hire and pay a professional plumber to get the task done. If you are someone who is open to the idea of learning and who is eager to save some money, then start reading Singapore plumbing forums now to have an idea on what plumbing tasks you can do and how to do them. You can also ask a family member or a friend to assist you if you have troubles starting to learn it by yourself.

Plumbing with push fit fitting

If you have read tons of forums regarding plumbing tasks, you might have come across the term push fit fitting. It is one of the most common plumbing tasks people encounter every single day. Just like other plumbing tasks, it is easy to learn if you have the right push fit plumbing instructions.

The first thing you have to do is to prepare all the materials and tools required. The materials and tools we need might be different for each one of us. It is because we have our own preferred materials to be used. Nonetheless, the basic tools needed are pipe cutter, marker pen and push fit fittings. If you already prepared all these, then it is time for you to start the process of plumbing with push fit fitting.

Now, you should start by marking the pipe with the use of the marker pen. Put a reference mark that will guide you in determining whether the pipe is already fully inserted. If your fitting has a twist lock feature, you should twist it until it completely tightens up on the pipe.

Check whether its collar is in the out position or not. If not, then make sure to correct it. Then, pull off the pipe and the fitting to guarantee it is secure. If you want to release the pipe from the fitting, all you have to do is to unlock the twist lock and then push in the collar. Then, you have to pull the fitting and pipe apart.

Examples of plumbing tasks

Aside from the push fit fitting, what are the other possible plumbing works that you might encounter in the future? Well, there are too many works related to plumbing. It is impossible to list every single task in this article. Nevertheless, we will give you a list of the most common DIY plumbing works:

  • Installing tiles on the floor
  • Installing a heater in your living room
  • Repairing leaks
  • Repairing doors

If you want to know how to do these tasks, you just have to read Singapore plumbing forums. You will find out a lot of tips and instructions on how to get a work done easily. Make sure you purchase quality materials. Also, be sure to follow the instructions given to you properly.

This will help you guarantee do the task in the most successful way. If you do not follow the steps, then there is a high possibility that you will need to redo all your work sooner or later. If you cannot promise a great DIY job, then it is better for you to hire a professional plumber for these matters.

Audio-Visual Tips for Conferences and Meetings

Leave a Comment on Audio-Visual Tips for Conferences and Meetings

The basic audio-visual requirements of any meeting and conference are pretty simple: a quality sound system and display equipment appropriate for the size of the audience and the venue. Your sound system rental company should be able to suggest suitable AV equipment choices that meet these needs.

Other than the sound system and projection gears, there are a few more things to consider. If your boss puts you in-charge for your next company product launching or event meeting, here are some tips on how to make it a remarkable and effective event.

1. Set the Stage Appropriately

The first thing to consider is the appearance of your stage. For meetings and company events, the stage doesn’t have to be big and overly decorated. Simply elevating the presenter a few inches above the ground level is enough to make them visible to the audience and gives the gathering a focal point. If you have found good audio visual equipment for rent it will be important to provide a good setting for it.

For an event that calls for audience involvement, a creative setting that allows everyone to comfortably move and socialize should be considered. Custom-made backdrops may look fancy, but simply blocking unnecessary background with a drape creates a minimalist and straightforward stage for your event.

2. Choose the Right Podium

Do not make the mistake of putting the presenter—or worse your boss—behind a hideous podium. Before the equipment is delivered, ask to see the podium included in your AV equipment rental to ensure that it’s appropriate for the affair.

A clear acrylic podium is a professional choice for company events and gives a friendlier look since the speaker isn’t visually separated from the audience. If the speaker is shorter than average, raise the podium or ask for a step for the presenter to use. The presenter should look and feel confident when on stage, and a few additional measurements will avoid awkward situations when the speaker steps up to deliver his speech.

3. Use Confidence Monitors

The presenter should be connecting with the audience, but this can be hard if the speaker needs to constantly look sideways on a screen rather than to the audience. One common solution many of us do is to bring the presentation laptop on the podium. However, the laptop blocks the presenter and requires him to constantly look down at the presentation rather than out to the audience.

The professional solution for this is to add two large confidence monitors at the edge of the stage, play the presentation from these monitors and have it remotely controlled by the speaker with a handheld clicker. This way, it’s easier for the speaker to see the presentation as he looks up into the crowd.

4. Know Your AV Technicians

If you will be working with more than one AV technician, know what each technician will be in charge of during the event. Since your event calls for a PA system rental, your AV technicians will likely include the following staff:

• Monitor Engineer – this staff controls what the presenters see and hear via the monitor system and usually works at the backstage.
• Audio Assistants – for smaller events, one audio assistant is enough. For larger ones, three to four assistant may be necessary. They are the people responsible for setting up and breaking down of AV equipment, as well as plug connect cables and replace components when needed.
• Front of House (FOH) Engineer – they control the audio for the audience, and are typically stationed behind the audience or in front of the stage.

5. Communicate With the Speakers

Ask the speakers about their specific audio-visual needs to ensure that their presentation works as they planned it to be. Also, make sure that the sound system rental company in Singapore is able to provide the speakers’ needs. Vocalize the needs of your event early on during the planning process. You and your PA system rental provider can refer to the following reminders during the installation of equipment:

• Are there wireless microphones in case of hands-free demos?
• Is there microphone stand set-up on the floor to allow attendees to speak or ask questions after every presentation?
• Does the sound system feature a mono or stereo sound?
• Are there VGA and HDMI connections available for presenters who may need them?
• How many audio sources can the event use? How many power outlets can be used and where are they located?
• Is there connection for different devices, such as Macbook, iPad and PC?
• Are the adapters compatible with the power outlets of the venue and equipment used?

These are some of the critical questions to answer as early as possible to avoid last-minute glitches.

6. Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

You should always feel comfortable and safe with your AV equipment rental company. You should trust your AV technician’s recommendations, suggestions and advices for your event—after all, that’s what these professionals are paid for, right?

However, if you have questions or concerns about their decisions, don’t hesitate to ask. Although you’re so used to being in charge, there’s no need to be ashamed in admitting your limitations and asking questions, especially when it comes to crucial and intricate matters of audio-visual production. If you can’t understand what your technician is trying to say, do not pretend that you do. Ask further, so your technician will be able to address your concerns in a more understandable way.

Planning for the PA system rental for company meetings is pretty straightforward. Since the event is likely more on presentations and speeches rather than music and entertainment, less sophisticated AV equipment would be enough. As long as you work with the right rental company in Singapore and consider the needs of the speakers and presenters, you will surely impress your boss for organizing a smooth-sailing company event.

Forbes’ List of Highest Paid Athletes in Rio Olympics

Leave a Comment on Forbes’ List of Highest Paid Athletes in Rio Olympics

 

The Rio Olympics already concluded but many fans especially that of Schooling are still rejoicing for his big win which gave Singapore gold. The Rio Olympics showcased skills of many athletes from around the world. All are remarkable in their own right but there are few who are known not only for their skills but also for their pay.

Forbes already made the list of the highest paid athletes. Some may surprise you, some may not. So, here is the list:

  1. Kevin Durant: Kevin Durant is the number one highest paid athlete in Rio Olympics according to Forbes. Somehow this is not surprising with salary of $20.2 million. Add performance bonuses and sponsorship, his total earnings amount to $56.2 million.

 

  1. Novak Djokovic: Novak Djokovic is the number two highest paid athlete with the salary of $21.8 million. If you include all his endorsements and performance bonuses, his total earnings amount to $55.8 million.

 

  1. Neymar and Rafael Nadal: Neymar’s salary is at $14.5 million. If you include performance bonuses and endorsements, total earnings amount to $37.5 million. Rafael Nadal is also in the same stop with salary of $5.5 million and total earnings of $37.5 million.

 

  1. Kei Nishikori: Kei Nishikori’s salary is at $3.5 million but add bonuses and sponsorship, his total earnings amount to $33.5 million.

 

  1. Usain Bolt: Usain Bolt’s salary is $2.5 million but add if you add sponsorship and bonuses, his total earnings amount to $32.5 million.

 

  1. Carmelo Anthony: Anthony has a salary of $22.9 million. With bonuses and sponsorship, his total earnings amount to $30.9 million.

  1. Serena Williams: Serena William’s salary is $8.9 million. If you add bonuses and endorsements, her total earnings amount to $28.9 million.

 

  1. Kylie Irving: Kylie Irving and basketball make a good match. His salary is $16.6 million. With sponsorship and bonuses, his total earnings amount to $27.6 million.

 

  1. Paul George: The list keeps getting longer for basketball players. Paul George’s salary is $17.1 million. His total earnings amount to $24.1 million.

 

  1. Andy Murray: Andy’s salary is $8 million. His total earnings amount to $23 million with bonuses and sponsorships.

 

  1. Jimmy Butler: Jimmy’s salary is $19.9 million. His total earnings amount to $20.6 million.

 

  1. DeAndre Jordan: DeAndre has a salary of $19.7 million. With sponsorship and bonuses, his total earnings amount to $20.5 million.

 

  1. Rickie Fowler: Rickie’s salary is $7.5 million. His total earnings amount to $18.5 million.

 

These people’s salary inspire many athletes to be better.