How Biometrics Technology Can Improve Business Security

Posted by Editor on Aug 30th, 2018 in Safety and Security | 0 comments

The most sophisticated door access control system you can install for you office nowadays is the biometric door access, which uses the measurements and statistical analyses of the physical and behavioral characteristics of authorized personnel. Although the card access door and the pin access door system are still considered more secure than traditional locks, this type of track access entry can be integrated with other modern systems for improved security.

Here are some of its advantages.

Accuracy
Not only is a digitized door access system an effective crime deterrent and a secure access solution for glass doors, but it can also be used to monitor office activities in Singapore such as employee attendance, access to restricted areas, collection of evidence in case of incidents, and record-keeping. The beauty of the door access system lies in its accurate collection of information and authentication. First, it uses the preset data which is the information recorded from the authorized personnel, and the data from the visitor/owner which will be compared to the preset data. Authentication is successful is the two sets of data are nearly identical, but it also gives a leeway for small deviations in case the real owner of the thumbprint biometric has sweat on the fingers or if the real owner of the facial biometric has put on makeup or shaved the eyebrows.

Versatility
What’s great about biometrics is that it can be integrated with your existing CCTV camera systems and intercom system to make verification and security coordination more efficient. If your intercom solution is used only for reception and inter-floor surveillance, you can get more from it through identification using a security camera and an additional software for the biometrics. Even small offices can benefit from this simple setup. An analog camera can also work with a basic intercom system if you just need to monitor who goes in and out of the office. Position the analog camera near the access system to provide more security.

Scalability
For larger buildings in Singapore, however, advanced hardware and software from a good IP camera company can provide better security. You can upgrade your CCTV or security camera to an IP camera to enjoy the benefits of a digitized surveillance system. In this setup, the IP camera records footage and transmits the information through an IP network, thus the name IP CCTV. Unlike traditional video surveillance, IP CCTV has better quality and improved transmission. These advantages provided by the IP camera system can greatly improve crime and activity monitoring in the vicinity. Additionally, a digitized surveillance can easily be integrated with a digitized version of the intercom, SIP intercom, which also uses the IP network to record, transmit, and store information.

Efficiency
Biometric door access is the best door access control system for large complexes and public buildings in Singapore because it decreases the time needed for verification, minimizes the instances of false negatives when identifying people, and it cannot be faked, bypassed, or copied as easily as number and codes in other security systems. Fingerprints are unique to each person, even among twins, which is what makes the thumbprint biometric more effective than a personal information number; while the structure of the face is also difficult to recreate, which makes facial biometric ideal for surveillance of large crowds in public spaces.

A Guide to Locksmithing Services

Posted by Editor on Aug 14th, 2018 in Locksmith Services | 0 comments

Most people will only remember to contact a locksmith services company in Singapore if they have lost or left their keys, but a professional key maker offers various solutions besides key duplication. Here are some that you need to remember.

House Key Replacement
Traditional keys are easy to duplicate, but modern keys can be challenging especially if you only have one master key. If you have lost your house key and you need to unlock the door, the locksmith will unpick your lock if there are no copies of the key and a new lock installation is recommended in case it’s not possible to fix broken locks. A professional locksmith service can work with any type of key, such as paracentric, valet, transponder, tubular, dimple, keycard, and master keys.

Car Key Replacement
Although there are still modern cars that use traditional keys for the locks and engine, some models use the more sophisticated smart keys. However, both traditional and modern keys are very difficult to replace when lost and it also takes a professional to unlock car doors. The transponder key for example is cut and programmed to a specific car and model, while laser keys cannot be duplicated easily without professional equipment. Smart keys are the most difficult to duplicate and only a professional car locksmith will be able to make a new one for you if you have lost it.

Key Duplication
If you have just moved in to a new apartment in Singapore, the landlord might suggest that you copy a master key to your unit. You can also request a replacement for a brand-new set of keys if you are worried about security.

To do that, it’s best to search for local locksmith recommendations. One way is through online search: a single search of cheap lock installer from Singapore may yield hundreds of results. Contact a 24 hour locksmith to install new locks and to duplicate keys for the members of the household.

Car Lockout Emergencies
If you have left an important item in your car but could not find your keys, contact a locksmith for an emergency lock picking. Only a 24 hour locksmith will be able to open any type of lock or produce a brand-new set of keys for an emergency such as this. You are also assured that you are not being scammed by a thief who might have copies of your keys.

Key Installation
Locksmith services can install any type of lock not just for doors but also for file cabinets, desks, vaults, panic bars, keypads, card access, deadbolts and padlocks, and many more. The locksmith can work with both mechanical and electronic lock for residential, commercial, and public buildings. If you need to improve security in your office or home, you can also consult a locksmith about the available options for upgrading your locks and door access systems.

Key Rekeying
Even cheap locksmith services have the codes for unique car keys. This is a measure to protect car owner from thieves who might try to get into the car with other means. A locksmith can also duplicate a key within an hour. The same is true for any house or building key if there is a need to change locks or to repair a lock once security has been compromised.

Card Access and PIN
Some buildings prefer keypads and access cards as locks for their units and offices. Professional locksmith services can help you install security systems to keep your family and property safe.

Some Things to Consider When Getting a Bike (Especially if it’s Your First)

Posted by Editor on Aug 8th, 2018 in Hobbies | 0 comments

Bicycles have come a long way, with improvements ranging from carbon fiber frames to suspensions and even folding bikes. Over the years, even entry-level bikes have become a great option even for professionals to use at Tour de France-level events.

Today, getting a bike is so easy, and most of the time you don’t even have to spend a lot of money just to get your hands on a dependable one that will last you a long time. Here are some things to think about when getting a bike:

1. How much can you afford?
When it comes to buying a bike, it’s important to have a budget and stick to it – but don’t stick to it too tightly. It’s important to have a little extra legroom in your budget to spend on things like a tire pump, replacement brakes, or even spare tires and rims.

You should also keep in mind that several components such as gears wear out over time. If you plan on using it a lot or for rough treks over long distances, you might want to invest in parts that will last longer than average ones. A helmet is also a good investment.

2. What do you intend to use it for?
Are you looking for something to use for extreme sports? Or do you need it to go to work every morning? A short afternoon cruise, or a long-distance trek? Perhaps you’re looking at a bike as a way of doing exercise, or even all of the above.

In that case, you don’t have to worry about the names – manufacturers are getting better at making bikes for people who want more than just one thing from it. When it comes to modern models, even a regular hybrid frame can be customized into a mountain or a road bike.

3. Where will you be riding it?
Think about the terrain that you will be riding your bike on. If it’s rough and uphill, you might want to get one with at least three speeds. However, if you’re riding on smooth paved road, you’re fine with just one (mind the tire treads in case it rains, though).

Don’t stress yourself out over special features. You might need tubeless tires and a Di2 if you prefer your roads mountainous and with thorn bushes, but if you need a general-purpose bike, you can simply stick with the basics

Factors to Consider When Buying a New Stove Range

Posted by Editor on Aug 8th, 2018 in Home | 0 comments

Cooking appliances are must-haves in any kitchen, and perhaps the biggest must-have of them all is the stove range. It combines two of the most important appliances needed in any kitchen: the stove and the oven. There are many different kinds of stove ranges, each built for a different purpose.

However, the number of choices can make it confusing to choose which one you should get for your kitchen. This guide will help you go through factors you need to consider to know what stove range you should buy.

Fuel vs. Electric
Traditional fuel ranges have the advantage of not relying on electricity, and are still used by a lot of chefs as well as the average Singaporean homeowner. Because you can go through the different heat settings instantly with them, they offer a kind of precision that most electric stoves don’t have.

However, you would need a gas hookup for this kind of stove range, and it can be more time-consuming to clean.
Electric fuel ranges, on the other hand, are much tidier. These smooth-top stoves are much more visually appealing and are easier to clean, and is a good choice for those people who don’t have gas hookups at home.

The downside with electric ranges is that though they cost less to install, they use more energy than traditional gas ranges and add on the electric bills significantly.

Cost
Stove ranges are expensive, but there are some that are more expensive than others. A typical run-of-the-mill gas range will cost less than an electric range, unless the electric range uses coil cooktops.

You should keep in mind, though, that electric ranges may cost you more in the long run, especially in Singapore.

Size
How big is your kitchen? If you only have a small space to work with, it’s probably not a good idea to buy a professional-grade stove range. As much as possible, buy a stove range that gives you a good compromise between capability and space used.

An ideal stove for your kitchen should be enough for all your needs while not constricting foot traffic in your workspace when cooking. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, talk to your interior designer about the placement as well as the aesthetics.

Usage
You should also keep in mind the different settings that you’ll need in your daily cooking. Most stovetops would have at least four different burners that cater to different heat levels, with perhaps one power burner for boiling water quickly, and a slow burner for simmering.

Your stove should also be easy to clean, unless you’re willing to put in the extra time after cooking each meal. When it comes to safety, most ranges are risky usually depending on how they’re used. Remember to always turn off the power or gas when you’re done cooking.

Is it Normal to Like Gross Stuff?

Posted by Editor on Jul 16th, 2018 in Lifestyle | 0 comments

Are you one of the thousands who watch pimple-popping videos on YouTube? Do you find earwax extraction videos just as satisfying? Or does watching people pull out ingrown hairs make you feel clean and all good inside?

It is easy to find these videos all over the Internet and maybe you’ve wondered a couple of times why you find them fascinating and mesmerizing. If you feel relaxed watching these kinds of videos even if most of your friends find them disgusting, don’t worry, because there is nothing wrong with you.

Feelings of Disgust
According to psychologists, this fascination for gross things both has biological and psychological imperatives. So, how are these two related to watching relaxing blackhead removal videos? Researchers claim that when our parents teach us disgust during early childhood, it is also a mechanism to protect us from harmful substances and bacteria that can make us sick. People associate physical symptoms like bumps, nasty odors, wounds, rashes, and others with sickness; and the first reaction we are taught to do is to avoid them.

Psychologists point out to the arousal value of disgusting things, but here arousal dos not just refer to intimate encounters with a partner. Arousal is just the term for exhibiting excitement such as a faster heartbeat or faster breathing. However, the feeling is not always negative, because there is also a positive side to arousal that our brains can read as reward or pleasure.

Add to that the natural human curiosity to know about things. If you’re not averse to the sight of blood on a nasty wound for example, that does not make you a sadist or a future serial killer. And with the ease of finding videos on almost any subject on the Internet, you will no longer feel the same disgust that you are supposed to feel when you see the object right in front of you because you’re safe from having contact with it.

Bile Fascination
Another term used in the Internet is bile fascination, which refers to the feeling of being repulsed and fascinated at the same time. Maybe you know some friends who are never grossed out with terrifying horror scenes and would even comment that it was not as bad as some equally gross scene from another movie.

For these people, they know they will be looking at some horrible stuff that most people have no stomach for, and yet they are also curious about why it was so gross in the first place. It’s like the opposite of wanting to know how brilliant a movie is after reading so many positive reviews. It turns out that bad publicity does work for a lot of people as well. There is a natural curiosity for some who want to know how bad a thing is.

And, hey, maybe you were guilty once of sharing a disgusting video on social media, knowing a lot of people are more interested in it, than say, videos showing altruism.

What’s in Your Eyeshadow?

Posted by Editor on Jul 16th, 2018 in Beauty | 0 comments

One of the best ways to bring out the beauty of your eyes is through the application of eyeshadow. With so many colors and techniques nowadays when it comes to makeup, it’s not possible to transform into anything you want as long as you have the right skills. Part of your makeup skills, however, should be the information on the history, ingredients, and different application techniques of the eyeshadow.

How it Started
The earliest recorded use of an eyeshadow was found in ancient Egypt, where figures were depicted using kohl on their eyelids. The kohl, which is still used today, were made from lead, ochre, copper, chrysocolla ore, antimony, malachite, ash, and almonds.

The Greeks later used other ingredients to create various colors such as blue and green, while the Romans used materials, usually from stones and minerals, that would shimmer. Eyeshadow from Babylon and India also used plants, flowers, herbs, bird droppings, flour, and crushed stones to create a variety of colors. However, it wasn’t until the 1920s when cosmetic companies began creating safe eyeshadow.

The Common Ingredients
Despite the availability of safer ingredients to create makeup, some people still have allergies or adverse reactions to some of the ingredients. Unfortunately, the only way to know if a product is good on your skin is through a trial-and-error process. If you have sensitive skin, however, you must read the ingredients on the label before you try anything. After all, the eyes are one of the most sensitive parts on your body and it can serve as an entry point for harmful chemicals.

Most eyeshadows today are made from basic ingredients such as, the base filler (talc, mica, or kaolin clay), binders (magnesium or zinc), pigment, preservatives (glycol and tocopherol), and others such as nylon, silica, boron nitride, dimethicone, and bismuth oxychloride. However, cream eyeshadow and powder eyeshadow ingredients also differ slightly. Most eyeshadows contain one of the following: shea butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, castor oil, and silicone.

Some of the toxic ingredients you need to avoid are the following: bismuth oxychloride, aluminum powder, coal tar, formaldehyde, parabens, Nano particles, thimerosal, and talc. Look instead for the following ingredients: mica, iron oxides, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide. Fortunately, there are beauty products that sell makeup for sensitive skin and allergy-prone skin, so you need not give up makeup altogether.

Proper Use or Application
If you have a huge eyeshadow palette, you might be wondering how to use them best. Besides experimenting with different color combinations, there are basic rules that you always need to remember.

• Apply a darker shade of eyeshadow near or towards the outer corners of the eyes to give depth.
• Blend properly by blurring the border between the natural skin color and the eyeshadow.
• Apply light colors first over the whole eyelid.
• Then, blend intermediate colors beginning with the outer corners of the eyes. The inner corners should only have lighter colors.
• Lastly, apply darker colors near the lower and upper lash lines and the outer corners of the eyes.