Mac's Picks is a collection of family friendly interesting and useful sites, updated weekly. These sites may be search engines, medical resources, household hints, educational resources, recipe sites, sites I call "head scratchers", and/or new sites dealing with all kinds of things of use to the general internet community. To find the criteria I use, simply click on the "Why and How Info" link on the right side of this page.

This page is updated on a weekly basis, each Tuesday evening Australian (Queensland) time (GMT + 9 hours according to the world clock). Please come back and visit often.

Important Note: If you are returning to my page, welcome back! Please click your "Refresh" or "Reload" button on the top of your Internet browser to ensure you are seeing the current week's page of my "Picks of the Week". Also, I would love for you to make my site your home page. Simply click on Tools - Options in Explorer, or Edit - Preferences in Netscape, and click Use Current and it's done.

One of the more difficult things for parents of toddlers to do is find things that will keep them amused but also might enhance their learning. The web has a few places that really can help in that regard, such as the KinderCrafts for Preschoolers and Kindergartners site put up by the folks at EnchantedLearning.com. It's a lovely site full of fun things to do, and worth having a look at or passing on to those new parents you know.

And, in keeping with the theme of young families, why not have mom have a look at the blog called MotheringDotCommune Forums which is a blog that brings all kinds of good info and the ability to chat with other moms around the world. The folk who provide this blog service, vBulletin.com, also provide space for other blogs as well. Have a look. It might help someone you know, or even yourself.

Microsoft has recently bought a company that was involved in writing AntiSpyware software. They have now released the "Beta" (read: pre-release test) version which you can download and try out for free at the Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Overview site. I've tried it and I must say, I'm impressed. I would suggest you do the same.

You know I love good and interesting food. You will also know that I love showing and awarding sites that deal with that subject. This week's site, Leite's Culinaria Award-Winning Food Writing and Recipe Collections is no less impressive. It has loads of tasty sounding recipies for you to try. Have a look and see how differently you might make the weeks meals for yourself and those around you. Enjoy.

I'm a gadget lover. I don't buy every one I see any more (well, not every one *chuckles*) but thought you might like to have a look at the Engadget site and see what there is to see there. There are all kind of gadgets to look at, and some even make sense *smiles*. Enjoy.

I love photographing animals, people, and plants. My digital camera gets a reasonable workout on occasions and I'm not displeased with most of the results. However, to see some really amazing wildlife photos you should hop over to the Wild Things - Snowhawk's Wildlife Photos and Resources site and have a browse around. There are some beautiful photos of some fantastic wildlife here. Enjoy.

You know that my site rewards sites I feel are well done, are useful to the general Internet population and/or are just fun to visit. However, there is another side to that coin, and the FlushTheWeb.com Only the worst sites on the world wide web updated daily site takes care of that admirably. *smile*. Well, someone has to.

You've heard of Internet scams, where thousands of dollars are bilked out of innocent people. And yes, unfortunately some moralless individuals are even trying to use the Tsunami tragedy to get money for themselves in this way. (Note: for a list of sites that are safe to donate to, see the bottom of this page.) However, you can protect yourself against scams by first visiting and reading the Protect Yourself from Internet Scams site and then by subscribing to Internet ScamBusters newsletter through your email account, so that you can continue to be informed about what to watch out for. This is a great site and a good way to help those around you from being duped of their well meaning donations.

"The hills are alive, with the sound of ...". Ahem.. clears his throat. Sorry about that, but you see, I found The Great MGM Musicals Page a site that inspired me to break into song like that *smiles*. Seriously, if you were and/or are a fan of MGMs Musicals, then this is a site you must see. Have a look, relax, turn up your speakers, and enjoy.

The computer industry is trying to solve how actual thought takes place. The theory is that if one really understands the thought process, then one can build machines that can do it as well. Don't panic. Terminator is a long way off *smiles*. However, the Thinking Machine 4 site is interesting in that it allows you to watch the thought process being sketched. Fascinating stuff. Have a look.

Have you ever taken a deck of playing cards, and built some kind of structure with them? Usually you can get to maybe three levels before it all comes crashing down again? Have a look at someone who has really made this into a hobby. Bryan Berg - Cardstacker is exactly as his website states. I've never seen anyone take it to this level before. And no, apparently he doesn't glue them in place either (as one of the photos shows as he collapses it). All I can say is, this is dedication to one's hobby.

Do you remember all the fun poked at Emelda Marcos because of the collection of shoes she had? Ok, it was massive, and apparently still is. Now, how about a guy who does (or did) it as well, but in an even more bizarre way. He collected shoes of one manufacturer. Have a look at the THEHUNDREDS vs. CORGISHOE site and you'll see what I mean. And you thought Mrs. Marcos had a problem. *smiles*

Friends, the terrible natural disaster that happened in the South East Asian part of our little green orb still needs your contributions and support. I know you may have given already in one for or another to help our brothers and sisters who lost so many of their family and so much of their lives, but please consider continuing your donations to the following good relief organizations. Remember, do NOT do it via direct deposit to some bank account (yes, amoral individuals around the globe are even stealing money that is meant to help these poor folk) but do it at these agencies listed below. There is the Direct Relief International organizations site, the Oxfam International United for a more equitable world site which is doing so much good, The Official Save the Children Site which needs so much help to assist the literally thousands of new orphans as a result of this disaster, and UNICEF - UNICEF Home who continue to fight the good fight for people everywhere. Thank you for helping in whatever way you can in the relief and rebuilding of lives wrecked by this terrible tragedy. I am proud to see that Australia has pledged One Billion dollars in aid from our government, backed by all political parties in this country. We've led the way. Let your heart open and your wallet as well to help us help the victims. Thank you.

Rebecca Game of "Digital Women - Women with their modems running...", is a graphic designer who is superb to say the least. Rebecca designed this "new look" web site specifically for me, and I can't praise her work enough. Her site, dedicated to women on the net, is worth seeing and bookmarking for future reference. If you are looking for links of interest to women, please visit her site. And if you need the best graphic designer on the planet, I seriously can't recommend her more highly. Oh yes, and when you visit her site, tell her Mac sent you. Thank you Rebecca. I am eternally grateful for your assistance and expertise. ;-)