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.

Note: You may find the navigation links on the right side of this page a little easier to understand. Have a look and let me know what you think. *smile*

You may have noticed the site on the right side of this page titled Religions of the World. It is a site leading you to various religions own sites so that you can investigate them on your own without anyone knowing you're there. I have just added some new sites of interest as well. Have a look. You'll spot the new ones right off. Just hop over to Religions of the World and browse around. May your search be fruitful.

One of the things younger people study in school is the relationship between mankind and the animal kingdom. Animals have fascinated us since the dawn of time, and many are interesting species. Hop over to the Animals in the Wild Wildlife Photography by Jim Robertson site and there you will find wonderful photos of all kinds of animals to use in that next school project. Enjoy.

I have a friend online who, like many, struggle with weight loss. No, I'm not going to suggest everyone go on some fad diet or another so don't get scared. However, it has been found that, in some cases, overeating is much the same as over-consuming alcohol, and that many of the same techniques used to thwart alcoholism apply to stopping eating poorly. Thus, the Recovery Tools site was born, and is a part of the OverEaters Anonymous group of folk. I can tell you that this friend of mine has found this particular group and method invaluable, and is well on the way to losing, in her case, unhealthy pounds. It might help someone you know as well. Have a look. It certainly can't hurt.

You've most likely heard me talk about blogs, and what is new in the blogging world. You will also know that I write my own short one and publish it right here on the right of this page. Have you considered writing your own blog? If so, might I suggest that you have a look at the service I use to publish mine, which is found on the Blogger: Create your blog now - FREE site. Just sign up, decide what you want your blog to be about, where you wish to publish it (on your site or on blogger.com itself), write it, publish it, and let me know you have. Who knows? You might find yourself awarded a pick of the week too *smiles*.

How long ago was it when you first started working on or with computers? Was it a Commodore? Or maybe an Altair? The site named Erik S. Klein's Vintage Computer Collection says it is the home of historical computers such as Altair, Apple, Commodore and IBM. Go have a look. You might even see your old machine there. Haven't we come a long way since those days *chuckles* Thank heaven.

What does food mean to you and your family? No, I don't mean as a way to survive, but rather, what cultural or heritage symbols does food and its presentation and consumption bring to your family and household? We do differ internationally, and the site called The Meaning of Food PBS explains it on a well researched basis. Have a look. It's interesting, besides being yummy, stuff.

If you are a woman who is struggling in the Information Technology field, you should know about the WITI - Welcome to WITI site. To quote their own statement "Founded in 1989, WITI's mission is to empower women worldwide to achieve unimagined possibilities and transformations through technology, leadership and economic prosperity". Now that sounds pretty good to me. Have a look and see what others are achieving and let their achievements inspire you to do the same or better.

How is your anti-virus software holding out? You might be advised to have a look at Freebyte's Guide to Free anti-virus software site. Yes, there is some free software out there that is pretty darn good. Have a look. This site may be able to help point you in the direction of software that will keep your computer safe and secure.

If you're fortunate enough to own a good laptop, then the Laptops - Laptopical.com. site is definitely one you should see. It has all kinds of info and things to help keep yours running at optimum capability. Great site for those with a laptop.

A friend of mine online is an executive of a large library in North America. Though we discuss other things besides libraries and their work, one subject we haven't touched on yet is the place of The Paperback Revolution in our society and in our reading habits. I think it made a great impact on the availability of literature, good and bad, to the general public. What do you think?

If you are running Windows XP as your operating system, you may have come across all kinds of dire warnings about the installation and implementation of Service Pack 2. If so, I suggest having a look at the Windows XP Home and Professional Service Pack 2 Service Configurations by Black Viper site. Though I run Windows 2k, (if it's not broken why fix it?), I do think that techos and competent home users will love this site and its useful information. Have a look and see what you think.

Did you know that, in some parts of the South Island of New Zealand, the law is still on the books that says, when you reach a crossroad in your motor vehicle, you are to stop, take out your hunting shotgun, and fire it three times to warn any horse driven vehicle of your presence before proceeding? That and many many other dumb laws still on the books exist in most countries of the world. Hop over and have a look at The Dumb Network Dumb Laws Home site and have a chuckle. I know I did. Makes you wonder what the law makers do all day doesn't it. *shakes head*

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. ;-)