What is a boat mechanic?

The engine of a boat is maintained by a professional boat mechanic.
The engine of a boat is maintained by a professional boat mechanic.

You may assume that regular motor vehicle mechanics also work on the motors of boats, if you have even spared a thought for the maintenance and repair of boats at all. However, for a boat, you must hire a special boat mechanic, Melbourne being located close to water has no shortage of these. Boat mechanics, also known as marine mechanics, are a type of engine mechanic specialising in the repair and service of boat engines. They will also have some more general knowledge and skills in boat repair, and can often help with components such as steering mechanisms.

Before you become envious of marine mechanics enjoying an idyllic life on the water, consider that it could be disastrous if the mechanic attempted major repairs while the boat was operational and in the water. Just like a car mechanic, a boat mechanic will generally work from a fixed premises. The motor of a boat is actually quite easy to remove, and can be brought to the mechanic’s workshop. People who become boat mechanics do so for similar reasons as those who become car mechanics. While this effectively tethers them to a coastal city such as Melbourne, the benefit is that they encounter more varied problems than those who work on cars. You could think of it as being similar work to a regular mechanic but with a dash of adventure.

The parallels between boat and car engines continue when you begin to think about maintenance. Just like a car, a boat needs to be serviced according to a regular schedule. Your outboard motor, which contains essential components such as the engine and the transmission, needs to be serviced on a regular basis, varying based on how often you use the boat.

This is what a boat mechanic does, and that you must hire one for tasks including outboard motor servicing in Melbourne.

What is a chevron pattern?

A non traditional chevron sock design.
A non traditional chevron sock design.

You have most likely encountered chevron patterned mens socks before, and you may have even bought them. Despite the ubiquity of the chevron pattern, particularly used for hosiery and socks, few people would be aware of the name of the pattern.

A chevron simply refers to a v shape. Where a single chevron is used, it resembles an upside down v. An upright v shape is known as an inverted chevron. The chevron actually has a rich history, pre-dating modern socks by thousands of years. Presently, the chevron is used by many militaries, with different designs and numbers of chevrons denoting different positions and ranks. Despite military use of the chevron, it is entirely legal to wear chevron printed socks even if you are a lowly civilian who only entertains delusions of serving for your country when you play video games.

When used as a pattern, a number of v shapes are stick together, creating the effect of a zig zagged line. Often these lines are placed one above the other, creating a visually complicated design, especially once colour is introduced. You probably know this pattern as the zig zag, but if you went to a sock manufacturer and requested zig zag socks, this would be an instant indication that you are a design amateur.

The chevron pattern rarely occurs on large garments as this would be an eyesore. However, many find it cute and even stylish when used in small doses, such as on socks. The chevron pattern is particularly favoured by men as it is quite a masculine pattern with strong lines and military connotations. The chevron pattern is so popular for socks as there are many men who wish to wear funky socks without resorting to the ovum like symbolism of a spotted design.

I hope by now you have a better understanding of chevron pattern, which is common for patterned mens socks.

What is alimony?

You may be bitter about your divorce, but with a competent lawyer, alimony could be your silver lining.
You may be bitter about your divorce, but with a competent lawyer, alimony could be your silver lining.

If you are going through a divorce, you may have heard of alimony and wondered what it is. Many confuse alimony with child support in Dandenong, but the two types of allowance are for different purposes.
Alimony, or spousal maintenance, is a payment made from one member of the former couple to the other in order to support their standard of living. Sometimes this is a one-time lump sum of money given to the spouse, otherwise it is a regular allowance, either in perpetuity or for a set amount of time.

Child support is a regular payment given to the spouse who is the primary carer of the children; this money is for expenses relating to care of the child. This is a separate payment to spousal maintenance. Most people receiving child support do not receive alimony, and one does not need to be receiving child support in order to obtain alimony. In fact, there do not even need to be any children from the union in order for a spouse to file for alimony.

Spousal maintenance has a reputation for being a sort of retirement pension for former trophy wives. Whether or not you think trophy wives deserve payment after their marriage ends for wasting their youth, you may be surprised to learn that alimony may be a solution for you. For example, if you have spent the last ten years out of the formal workforce as you have been assisting your husband in building his political career and now have limited job prospects while he bathes in cash, you could be successful in obtaining an allowance from him.

If you think you should receiving alimony from your former husband or wife, you should discuss this with your lawyer at the first opportunity. Now you know what alimony is, as well as some tips for going through a court of law to secure alimony payments.

What is a Bailey ladder?

The Bailey ladder is popular among Australian ladder users.
The Bailey ladder is popular among Australian ladder users.

If you are in the market for purchasing a new ladder, you may have heard of Bailey ladders. Bailey ladders are generally highly regarded among Australian consumers, particularly for their innovative safety features which are rarely found on generic ladders.

You could be forgiven for thinking that Bailey is a particular shape or design of ladder, but it is actually the name of a brand. This is analogous to other products which are referred to by a brand name, another prominent example of this being how toasted sandwiches are sometimes called by the brand name of the company which first released the toasted sandwich maker.

The Bailey brand manufactures a large range of ladder solutions. Similarly to other companies, they make aluminium ladders, which strikes a balance between tensile strength and ease of portability. They also manufacture fibreglass ladders. Like aluminium, fibreglass is strong and lightweight. While aluminium is arguably the better option for ladders, it is not suitable for all uses. This is because aluminium is a metal, which means that it conducts electricity. Conversely, fibreglass acts as an insulator. For this reason, electricians opt for fibreglass ladders to eliminate the risk of electric shock from a wayward live wire touching the ladder that they are in direct contact with. The bailey brand makes some of the best aluminium and fibreglass ladders on the market.

As noted above, Bailey ladders are prized for their safety features. These include a unique bracing solution reducing the likelihood of the ladder collapsing when it is in use, and a specially made tread which reduces the chance of slippage. Movement of the ladder when it is in use is the main risk of using ladders, as injuries from falling off a ladder can be severe, and even fatal in some cases.

 

How do builders transport their tools?

An aluminium toolbox is a necessity for builders.
An aluminium toolbox is a necessity for builders.

Builders require a large range of tools when working on a house or other structure, some of which are extremely heavy. You may be wondering how builders manage to transport their tools from job to job without losing anything. Those that have vans have to be extremely careful about where they place their tools, lest a rusty saw comes flying into the front seat as the driver takes a sharp corner. The trick is that they usually have aluminium toolboxes, Melbourne tradespeople are especially keen on this idea.

The aluminium toolbox must be fitted to the utility vehicle so that the box and its contents are secure. A builder will get the toolbox specially made for their vehicle, with compartments and other features made to order. With each tool contained in its place, there is no risk of moving items being a danger to the driver and passengers. It also makes it easy for the builder to keep track of their tools, reducing losses from tools which need to be constantly replaced due to misplacement. It is common for special compartments to be designed for a builder’s most used tools. Bespoke aluminium toolboxes may also contain other facilities as requested by the owner, with fold out work benches becoming increasingly popular among Melbourne builders. Builders in Melbourne transport their tools safely around the city and suburbs in their custom made aluminium toolboxes.

While the toolbox must be extremely strong in order to support the weight of the tools, especially as they move slightly during transit, it must also not be too heavy. An excessively heavy toolbox will drive up fuel consumption of the vehicle, which is an added and unnecessary expense for the builder’s business. It also needs to be lockable and secure enough to keep out thieves, as well as sufficiently attached to the vehicle so a thief does not steal the entire box with its contents.

 

Who designs video games?

Video game design is more complicated than just being a gamer.
Video game design is more complicated than just being a gamer.

When you play video games, you may wonder who made the game. With video games becoming more sophisticated over time, the process of developing video games becomes ever more complicated.

Unlike those playing the games, most developers are not holed up in their basement, hunched over the computer. Most successful video game designers have undertaken a game design course to kick off their careers. It is typical to work as part of a large team. Due to the many components of game design, creating a game from start to finish is a group undertaking requiring programmers specialising in different areas. The person who animates the characters’ movements will be different to the person in charge of sound effects.

In Australia, aspiring game designers usually enrol in the a Diploma of IT, which offers room for specialisation. As an accredited course, the Diploma is highly regarded among employers in the industry.

Video game designers are often gaming enthusiasts themselves, but there is plenty of hard work behind modern game design. Designers must be aware of new developments in their field, and maintaining a network of colleagues and former classmates is one way of ensuring exposure to latest news in the industry.

Those who work in the computer gaming development industry have career opportunities aside from programming. Experienced video game designers often moonlight as lecturers and tutors for game design academies. Another possibility is to branch into consultancy.

Location is crucial when deciding between game design courses, Melbourne has an established computer gaming industry. To choose a program with industry links, the college must be geographically well-placed. Video game designers may be tech-savvy, but face-to-face interaction trumps remote collaboration.

Now you know that video games are designed by a large team of highly trained specialists, and how they work together to bring their ideas to life on your devices.

What is a solicitor?

How do you know if you need a solicitor or a different kind of lawyer?
How do you know if you need a solicitor or a different kind of lawyer?

Lawyers tend not to be generalists. Within a law firm, there will be different lawyers who have incommensurable functions. Today, let’s find out about the many tasks of a solicitor, Dandenong in Victoria has a Magistrate’s Court so we will begin our journey there.

Terms used to describe different kinds of lawyer vary not only between countries but also between states in Australia, though to a small degree.

At the court in Dandenong, you will find a solicitor representing his or her clients to in the courtroom and providing legal advice to clients. Solicitors are also responsible for some paperwork, for example they may draw up wills. Solicitors only represent clients in Magistrate’s Courts such as the one in Dandenong; in higher courts, the client’s case is presented by a barrister. If a case moves from the Magistrate’s Court to a higher court, the solicitor working with the client is likely to advise the barrister, as they have been previously working with the client and know the case quite well. However, the solicitor will not abandon the client; rather, they will work as a conduit between the barrister and client. As a barrister is more specialised, their time is worth more.

In an easy, drama-free family law case, a solicitor will prepare forms and act on behalf of the client in court. However, in a more complicated case such as in a custody battle, it is often necessary to engage the services of a barrister.

Both solicitors and barristers are types of lawyers; in general, you should always consult a solicitor first when you require legal services. If they deem a barrister necessary in your situation, they will refer you, so do not worry about making an incorrect choice.

Hopefully you now understand about the functions of solicitors including in family law, Dandenong court was here used as an example however this information is fairly general for all of Australia.

What are roads made from?

Asphalt is used in the construction of modern roads.
Asphalt is used in the construction of modern roads.

Here in Brisbane, asphalt is the most common material used for roads and large carparks. This is the black, rocky substance that you will probably see as soon as you step onto your street.

You may have heard that roads are made from bitumen. This is not strictly true, although it is close enough for a layperson’s understanding. Bitumen is a by-product of refining oil, and is not used alone in paving roads. Rather, it is mixed with other substances to create asphalt. The other substances in the mixture are usually pebbles and sand. This results in a bumpier surface than using bitumen alone, creating more friction for vehicles that drive across the road.

Friction is generally thought of as bad by drivers, as a surface with friction requires more force to travel across, therefore increasing use of fuel. However, friction is essential to road surfaces. With absolutely no friction, a car would not even be able to move across a flat road surface at all. As you add more friction, the stopping distance of a car in motion decreases. Therefore a surface providing plenty of friction is safest for road users, who are able to stop quickly as many potentially dangerous situations require. While friction is good, excess bumps are not. An unexpected pothole on the road can damage the vehicle travelling over it, and may cause the car to move in a direction not anticipated by the driver. It is also uncomfortable for passengers to travel over an excessively bumpy road. For these reasons, it is important that any cracks or faults in asphalt are repaired before they develop into holes.

There you have it,  a quick overview of asphalt roads and asphalt car parks, Brisbane was used as an example here however this information is true of many cities throughout the world.

Do dogs need to be social?

Attending a group dog walk is an ideal way for the dog to socialise and exercise at the same time.
Attending a group dog walk is an ideal way for the dog to socialise and exercise at the same time.

Most dog owners have only one dog, so the pet’s opportunities for socialisation with other dogs are limited. To increase the dog’s social time, some owners opt for hiring a dog walking service, Melbourne dogs who are generally confined inside the home and alone can seriously benefit from this interaction.

Socialisation is extremely important to dogs, though the extent largely depends on the temperament of the dog. Some breeds prefer to interact with just the human they are bonded too, while others are enthusiastic to meet living creatures of any kind. As a general rule, dogs enjoy playing with other dogs and it is especially important for younger dogs to learn how to interact with their peers.

For a single dog, it is beneficial to ensure social interaction with other dogs on a regular basis. Time poor dog owners should consider engaging with a dog walking service offering group walks. Your dog will enjoy walking with its peers and may even be taken to a dog park where it can interact with new dogs.

If you have plenty of time to devote to dog care, you could take your dog to dog parks at busy times, or organise regular play dates with another dog. This may seem excessive, but consider that proper dog care is strikingly similar to raising a child.

There are some dogs who do not get along well with other dogs. This is usually due to poor socialisation from a young age or other behavioural problems. As dogs get older, they can also become crankier and less inclined to seek the company of other animals. This is similar to how elderly humans are often misanthropic. Despite these exceptions, dogs do generally enjoy the company of other dogs.

Dogs benefit from social interaction, and how to facilitate this by organising play dates or by sending your dog on a group walk with a reputable Melbourne dog walker.

Why are ladders made from aluminium?

Ladders tend to be made from aluminium for a combination of strength and lightness.
Ladders tend to be made from aluminium for a combination of strength and lightness.

You may have wondered why aluminium ladders are regarded as superior to other alternatives such as wood.

Firstly, let’s think about how ladders are used. Ladders are essentially portable stairs, which a person may alight to reach objects at a height that they could not achieve unaided. Each step provides more height, so a person may climb to anything from approximately thirty centimetres to over one metre. This makes ladders ideal for reaching light bulbs and smoke alarms, and to assist with indoor decoration. It is desirable that the ladder can be moved; if access to a height was required on a regular basis, a more permanent solution such as stairs should be in place.

The ladder needs to fulfil two needs: it is required to support the weight of a person, and it also must be portable. This means that metals such as steel, which is quite dense and therefore heavy for an object the size of a ladder, are not suitable to be used in making a ladder. Aluminium is chosen as a material because it strikes a balance between these two needs. As a lightweight metal, it can be picked up and moved with relative ease; the main problem is actually how cumbersome the ladder is rather than how heavy. This is because aluminium is not dense compared to other metals, that is, there is more empty space between each particle. Despite being fairly light, aluminium is also quite strong. It is used thinly to make aluminium cans which can be easily deformed, but when a thick piece of aluminium is used, it becomes difficult to deform and break the metal. Aluminium is often used in combination with other metals to ensure a strong structure that remains at a small mass.

It is more than mere custom, ladders are made from aluminium because it provides strength while being lightweight enough for portability.