Articles written by Robert Mcmartin

What is Helium

About me - Robert Mcmartin

I was born in Scotland and migrated to Australia, when I was little, grew up (some would say I never have), went to University in New Zealand. After a brief stint in the Army, I started work in IT as an Computer Operator.

I then spent a few years as a Technical

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Autos > Driving & Safety What to do if your brakes fail: 2 of 25
As we travel through life, and along life's busy highway occasionally, often due to neglect, or overuse, the brakes can fail. Alright so this isn't the story of how to live your life.When the brakes fail, there is an initial sinking feeling in your stomach, a short flare of panic, and occasionally an awful smell from your pan... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy Commentary: Gas prices: 4 of 34
It has been interesting reading about how people in the US are feeling the heat on Gas prices. Down here in the Land of Oz, (no matter how many times I click my heels it is still the same place) we are currently paying $1.70 a litre (5 litres in a Gallon, you do the maths).Here in Australia (pronounced ozzztraylllya), we have... More..
Autos > SUVs Why SUVs burn more gas than cars: 2 of 13
In a word Inertia. No, this is not a character from the Will Smith movie "Wild, WIld, West", but an actual physical reason. Put simply, Inertia is the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest, or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force. But, lets examine the w... More..
Autos > Cars Why the US auto industry is dying: 5 of 27
Demand versus supply. It is a simple enough equation and is the basics of Economics. For years the US Auto industry has stimulated demand through manipulation of people's desire to be both aspirational and different. Constant change of models, even if only minor variations every year or so and a panel upgrade every three yea... More..
Autos > Autos (Other) Exploring men's perceived fascination with cars: 3 of 16
The question is not do men have a fascination with cars?It should be do men have a fascination with machines?Well, alright the answer is yes to both, but it is not really cars so much as the machines that power them.The car bodies are just clothing for the machine, certainly it can look streamlined, with strong curves and bal... More..
Autos > Cars How the passion has gone out of car manufacturing: 1 of 4
Cars are about passion. Certainly there is room in the world for people who don't care what a car looks like, that a cars only purpose if to go from point A to Point B as quickly economically and as safely as possible. Not for them the joy of looking at a car, driving it into corners (for those who like American Muscle cars, ... More..
Autos > Autos (Other) English Cars and Lucas electrical systems: 1 of 4
For as long as the English have been making cars (some would say poorly, but with excellent style, poise and panache), Lucas has been providing the electrical wiring and switch gear.For as long as Lucas have been making the electrics, British cars have suffered. Now, I'm not saying that the company today is like the old compa... More..
Business > Leadership Strategies Achieve success with unique leadership skills: 5 of 17
Leadership is critical, all the great achievers in the world have been great leaders.Leadership, is just not about managing, it is about sharing the vision, defining the strategy, leading the way forward.The problem with many companies and organisations today, is that many of the managers are not good leaders. Most senior man... More..
Sciences > Water & Oceanography Drought, wildfires and water conservation issues: Finding a solution: 5 of 16
Welcome people to the world of drought, wildfires and water conservation, here Downunder these are old friends that we know well.Australia is a very dry country, we have very little free standing water and no major lakes.Most of the country is arid or desert, yet our trees and animals have adapted to this constant drought. In... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Why I write: 81 of 254
Because, I can.These simple words reflect more than a reason for why I write, but express more about the type of person I am.I have had many jobs and roles in life, as a Soldier, Writer, Manager and Company Director, all of these things have required me to teach, to impart the knowledge I have gained in pursuit of all these t... More..