In the digital age, communication has taken on a whole new form. With the advent of the internet, mobile technologies, and social media, we are constantly exposed to new forms of media.

Moreover, we get emotionally invested in the content we consume, which means that our lives are significantly influenced by it.

But, there is an entire world of content that is slowly being forgotten and left behind – old media. Physical media such as VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and vinyl records are stored on outdated devices and are not as accessible as digital content.

In addition, these formats are more prone to decay, making them even more difficult to access. With new media quickly taking over, old media is slowly fading away. It’s up to us to preserve and honor this content before it’s lost for good.

1. Vinyl Records

You probably have one person in your family or circle of friends who swear that vinyl records are the best way to enjoy audio content. They are religious about storing their records in optimal conditions and cleaning their turntable, and they’ll hiss at anyone listening to music on their phones or other digital devices.

Now, all jokes aside, listening to a vinyl record can be an extremely pleasant experience. Plus, there is some truth to the idea of superior audio quality, but most well-executed digital recordings can achieve and surpass that level. Moreover, a digital recording is more portable and can be more easily manipulated.

Plus, vinyl records are quite sensitive and can easily get scratched or warped (due to heat exposure). So, if you have any unique audio content you want to save, it’s best to convert it to digital.

How to Digitize Vinyl Records?

With the right tools (especially if you already own a turntable), you can digitize your vinyl records at home. However, keep in mind that this is a time-consuming task. If you want fast and high-quality results, it’s best to hire a professional service.

2. Film Reels

Before VHS, people had to make do with film reels whenever they wanted to watch a movie or shoot one of their own. Of course, not everyone could afford such privileges, so we don’t have much footage from back then.

However, as the history of home movie entertainment unfolded and people’s interest in movies started to increase, film reels became more affordable and easier to have in the home. Still, the medium is sensitive to the passage of time, so if you have such treasure lying around, you should hurry up and have it digitized.

How to Digitize Film Reels?

You can convert your film reels into digital at home, but it’s a difficult and challenging task. To get high-quality results, it’s best to find a specialized service that converts film to digital. This way, you’ll have your precious footage in digital format in no time.

3. Cassette Tapes

If you know why a pencil/pen and a cassette tape go together, you probably spent your childhood and adolescence making mix tapes and hunting down your favorite songs on the radio.

Cassette tapes are a blast from the past for most Millennials and Baby Boomers out there, but this doesn’t mean younger people don’t find them intriguing. Plus, if you inherit a box of cassette tapes from your grandparents or parents, it’s a nice way to connect with their younger versions.

How to Digitize Cassette Tapes?

If the tape is not damaged and you have the right tools (like a cassette player), you can turn this into a fun DIY project. However, if you have lots of tapes and you’re not sure about their state, it’s best to find a professional service for this.

4. VHS Tapes

The VHS tape revolutionized the media industry by making audio and video content more manageable and approachable. If you had a VHS recorder and tapes, you could record your favorite show, rent a movie, and even make your own home films at a fraction of the cost.

Given its popularity and moment in time, most of us still have VHS tapes with dear family moments like weddings, birthdays, and other events. However, prolonged use and improper storage conditions can damage the tape, so why not save your precious memories now?

How to Digitize VHS Tapes?

Converting a VHS tape to digital is something you can easily do at home with a converter, a computer, and the right software. Of course, you can also find a specialized service to do the job.

5. Photographs

Do you have an old picture of your grandparents or parents that you want to be saved from the clutches of time? Or maybe you have your grandmothers’ wedding album, and you want to digitize the photos and turn them into a nice digital presentation for her birthday.

How to Digitize Old Photographs?
Restoring old photos and turning them to digital is a great small business idea, so it’s easy to find such services close to your location. But you can do this at home as well.

Depending on the tools at your disposal, you can either use a scanner or a digital camera to take a picture of the old photo. Once you have the photo in digital format, you can upload it to photo editing software and play with the settings to improve its appearance.

In Summary

If your precious memories are stored on old media devices, now is the best time to act and turn the content digital. As time goes by, old media devices will decay, and your memories will be lost for good!

A new year has begun, and people around the world will be making plans for the year ahead. They may have even jotted down a list of things they’d like to achieve, whether that’s to travel more, earn more, change jobs or something else. A new year is a good opportunity to try something new. Maybe that’s a new sport or learning a new skill. Below is a look at some skills people like to try when a new year starts.

Playing blackjack

These days, everyone has a side hustle to earn them a little extra, and one thing you might like to try is playing blackjack at an online casino or offline one. This is just as much a leisure activity. It’s easy enough to learn the rules of blackjack since the game is very straightforward. It’s you against the dealer, and you have to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust.

To master blackjack, you must learn to understand blackjack odds, which is easier than a lot of games, and know the rules of the game. Rules can vary, and even these variations can be small, but not knowing them can work against you heavily in the long term. Learning about insurance and spotting dealer tells is another important skill to build in blackjack.

Public speaking

Public speaking is a valuable skill, even if you’re communicating by video call, and a good public speaker can convey their ideas clearly, whether they’re in an auditorium full of people or in an office conference room and speaking to a small bunch of people.

One of the big struggles people have when speaking publicly is with anxiety but if you learn the skills of public speaking, this will enable you to learn how to take control over the nerves. Make sure you know your material, and then go over it repeatedly. You can ask a friend to listen to you and provide feedback.

Remember, it’s also good to be yourself when speaking publicly, rather than be just a talking head. This gives you more credibility, and people will trust you more.

Writing

Writing skills are another important skill you might consider improving. Even if you’re not a writer, you’ll have to write at some time. It could be a cover letter for a job, an email to your boss or just a text message to a friend. Whatever the task, you want the writing to be clear, and you don’t have to study for a degree in English to achieve this.

There are lots of ways you can brush up on your writing skills. Revising the basics of spelling and grammar is a good place to start. Write regularly, even if no one is going to read your writing, so you can develop your own style. Read plenty, too, which will help you to develop your skills. Diversify your reading material, and pay attention to elements such as sentence structure, vocabulary and how the writing flows.

Playing the guitar

If you want to learn the basics on playing the guitar, there are no shortcuts unfortunately, so one of the most important skills you must display when learning is patience. Set a regular schedule, devoting time each day to learning. Start with the basics, which is always the most difficult part of learning to play the guitar, so you can build confidence and, from there, move towards more advanced playing techniques.

Be sure to set up a learning environment that makes you want to play. This includes keeping your guitar visible in the room, rather than storing it away; making sure you have a comfortable seat for playing on; and ensuring you have privacy or quiet so you can concentrate on learning and play without distractions.

Coding

In an age in which tech has become a bigger and bigger part of everyday life, some people are learning to improve their coding skills. Learning to code can make it more exciting to create your own projects.

If you don’t have any knowledge of computer programming, one of the best ways to master coding is to take advantage of books and free resources, sign up for a bootcamp and, most importantly of all, practice. Applying your skills and challenging yourself will help you to grow in ways that reading books or attending classes won’t.

As you develop your skills, spend some time engaging with the computer science computer. You’ll learn from the people in it, be able to work through challenges with them and, generally, enjoy a shared interest.

The New Year has well and truly begun, and there are so many different skills you could learn or improve during it. Possible other skills you could build include organisational skills, cookery skills, design,  networking and digital media.

Expatriates living in Singapore face a lot of unique challenges. This is especially true if you are not used to living in a relatively small city with high levels of competition and strict rules governing social behavior.

This guide provides tips on making the most of your time in Singapore and maximizing your chances for a successful relocation.

Accommodation in Singapore

Housing is one of the biggest expenses for expats in Singapore because of the high demand and limited supply. However, there are a number of affordable options available if you’re willing to research and crunch the numbers.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment can cost between SGD 1500 and SGD 3000 per month. Properties inside the city Center tend to be more expensive with monthly rent starting at SGD 4000.

If you are looking for expensive residences or luxury neighborhoods, you will likely need to pay much more than this. Also, it is important to factor in the cost of utilities when calculating your housing costs. Property taxes and utilities can add up quickly, so it’s important to keep track of your spending.

That said, you’ll be impressed by the variety of housing options in the city. From high-rise apartments in the city to lush gardens and estates outside the city, there is an option for everyone. If you’re looking for something short-term and cost-effective, furnished apartments in Singapore are your best bet. They come furnished with amenities such as 24-hour security, a gym, parking, and a pool.

Culture, Customs, and Traditions

As an expat, you’ll quickly learn that living in Singapore comes with its own set of cultural quirks and traditions. From how people dress to how they eat, there are a lot of customs and rituals that locals follow that can be a bit confusing for first-time arrivals.

When it comes to culture, Singapore is often compared to nearby countries like China and Japan. As such, there are many Chinese and Japanese traditions that have trickled down over the years into the local culture. However, there’s also a large Southeast Asian influence evident in traditional celebrations like Hari Raya Puasa (or Ramadan) and Solas Day.

One of the most important things to know when living in the city is the importance of etiquette. While it’s generally acceptable to be yourself here, there are certain behaviors that are considered important.

For example, it is customary for visitors to take off their shoes when entering a house or temple. It is also polite to offer cigarettes and cigars to those you meet and to respond with a smile when someone speaks to you. During Lunar New Year celebrations, it is customary for families to send donations of food and money to their neighbors. It is also customary for people to wear bright colors and make elaborate decorations for their homes.

Customs and traditions can vary significantly from one part of Singapore to another, depending on the region’s historical background. Some common customs foreigners may experience include dragon boat racing, Ayurveda treatments, and preparing food using charcoal or wood fires instead of gas or electric stoves.

Transportation

Public transportation in Singapore is efficient, clean, and affordable. The city-state operates an extensive subway system with nearly all major routes covered. There are three main ways to get around Singapore: driving, using the MRT, or riding the buses and trains.

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) has expanded rapidly in recent years and now covers most central areas. Trains are air-conditioned, clean, and run from 5:00 am to midnight. There are also buses, trams, and shared vans throughout the island that cover much of the residential areas and the urban terrain.

Traveling by taxi can also be an option if you don’t mind paying a little bit more for convenience. The city is also very walkable, with paved sidewalks, underpasses, and overhead bridges.

If you’re accustomed to driving, know that the streets are well-maintained and there aren’t as many traffic tie-ups as you might find in other cities. Just remember that all drivers here use the left-hand drive system, so keep your right hand on the steering wheel at all times. However, parking is very expensive and difficult to find, especially in the city Centre.

Food in Singapore

When it comes to food in Singapore, the options are practically endless. Whether you’re looking for classic international fare or something more unique, there’s something for you in the city.

If you’re looking for delicious, affordable food, head to one of Singapore’s hawker centers or food courts. These establishments are typically cheap and easy to locate and offer a wide variety of international and local cuisine. Prices tend to be reasonable, with most dishes costing less than S$20.

For higher-end dining experiences, head to one of the city’s top restaurants. These establishments can be costly, but they offer some of the best food in Singapore. You’ll also find some great wine selections and attentive service.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy your meals while living in Singapore;

• Scout out your local eateries before you go out. Familiarize yourself with the cuisines offered by the restaurants near where you live or work so that you can find something to eat no matter what mood you’re in.
• Order ahead when dining out. Not only does this save time, but it also allows you to customize your meal and avoid getting stuck with a dish that doesn’t fit your taste buds.
• Be open to trying new foods. While Singaporean cuisine is well known and loved, there’s always something new to discover when eating out here- especially if you try some less common dishes.
• Consider eating at night. Street food in Singapore tends to get pretty good around sunset, so why not try indulging in local fare after hours?

Education

The school system in Singapore is excellent for international students. There are many international schools here that offer excellent classes and facilities, both in terms of curriculum and infrastructure. The tuition fee can be quite expensive, but it’s definitely worth it if you want to learn in a well-equipped academic environment.

Apart from international schools, there are also many local schools that offer excellent education too. In fact, most locals seem to have good educational backgrounds even though they may not attend international schools. Public schools offer good education too, and the teachers here are usually very qualified and experienced.

The best way to find a school is to visit the website of the Ministry of Education (MOE). They have a section on their website specifically for expats, where you can find out about school fees and admission procedures. Schools also have websites that list their academic policies and student populations.

Conclusion

Living in Singapore as an expat can be a competitive and demanding proposition. But with the right preparations, it can also be rewarding, especially if you have the creativity and resourcefulness to make the most of your new environment.