Mac's Picks is a collection of family friendly interesting and useful sites, updated weekly. These sites are family friendly, and cover subjects dealing with a focus on the family as a whole, search, internet, internet radio, news, health, medical resources, household hints, education, educational resources, recipes, food, strange, different, help pages, homework, kids, diy, 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 How Info" link on the right side of this page.

This page is updated on a weekly basis, each Monday 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: This week's offering of Mac's Picks will be a double issue as I realise most folk will be busy with family etc over this period, and not online. When you return in the New Year you will see a slight change to the top of this page, as well as a major change to the Why How Info page on my site. Read it in the new year when you can. In the meantime please take care and accept my family's best wishes for a joyous festive season and a prosperous new year. I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

If you are a frequent visitor you will know that I, like many, am a fan of blogs and blogging in general. Blogs (weB LOGs) vary in not only style but also in excellence (or the lack of it). Thus, The Weblog Awards Best New Blog (Established after November 19, 2004) Archive site was founded, to give recognition to blogs that are so good, so well written, that folk recommend them to their friends and colleagues. Yes, some of them may be "Geek blogs" but they aren't all. Have a look, then consider visiting one of the sites who can teach you how to join this revolution in communication, will host your blog for free for you, and then join the blogging community. You might just find that your opinions DO matter. *smile*

And, because I also like keeping you informed of things new and things on the horizon, have a look at the vlog 4.0 [a blog about vogs] site. This is blogging, not by typing, but rather it is video Blogging - making your blog as a video and then posting that on a video blog website. Have a look and enjoy.

Speaking of writing many folk would love to write something - a book, novel, recipe, history, or even a blog. However most of us aren't writing geniuses and thus the BBC - Writersroom - Homepage can be a real help to get you on your way. Here you can submit your blog or other writings and let other writers comment on it. They aren't "out to get you" but they do have some pretty amazing ideas and help and which has to be seen as a good thing. So, if the writing bug has bitten you, hop over here and brush up on your skills.

Isn't technology wonderful? It can allow you to order things and get them delivered immediately. Hmm, though in some cases that may be a good thing, in others... well, you just have to wonder. Turn up your speakers and then have a look at the AdCritic Interactive video about pizza delivery and you'll see what I mean. Maybe this is a good one to send to your Congressman or your Member of Parliament? I guess there can be too much of a good thing after all.

If, as a youngster, you ever got the chance to visit DisneyLand in California, you might remember a ride there that no longer exists, called 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - The Ride which is one person's recollections of this ride and a personal tribute to it. A warning though - it is very mildly PG rated so have a look before you take the younger ones there.

One of the fascinating things about our little green planet is the variations of animal life that exist on it. Anyone who knows me will know I have some photos of a recent visitor to my yard which, in the past, would have panicked my family and I no end, but as folk who now live here in Australia, we take it in stride that some animals you look at but don't touch. (If you're interested, email me and I'll send you a photo). Anyway, the Desert Animals & Wildlife site goes into great detail about those animals that live in the desert, but if you search around that site you'll see other animals and learn about them as well. It also has teacher guides available for classroom study. Enjoy.

If you are in school, more than likely you will, at some point, study ancient history and the subject of Egypt and the many antiquities found there will surface for you to see. There is a way you can also get a head start with this subject, and that is by visiting the Eternal Egypt site and taking their virtual tour of the exhibits available. It really is well done and I am sure you'll enjoy the experience. A pity the modern Egyptian government has found it necessary to deny the existence of followers of the Baha'i Faith in their domain. So much for learning to live together in peace and harmony as taught by their historical figures.

One of the things that I try to find are sites that the whole family can enjoy, and indeed, the Kaboose - Where families get going! site fills that ticket admirably. You will find various activities and games and puzzles and colouring, and... well, you just have to go and look for yourself. Do bring the younger ones with you when you do as the site does focus on the young members of our families. Have fun.

One of the things the electronic and computer age should do is make our lives that much simpler, rather than more complex to run. I found the Lifehacker, the Productivity and Software Guide site a while ago and I have to admit, I like their style and I feel you will too. They do keep you up with what is current and I think their slogan says it all. It says "Don't live to geek; geek to live." Have a look.

Many times folk in the media (or behind the scenes in the media) have things they would like to say, but can't because of company policy or the fact that they themselves are not an announcer or presenter. Thankfully the folk at NPR (National Press Review) have giving them a voice. Have a look at the NPR This I Believe site and you'll see what I mean. You don't have to agree with everything said, but it is to your advantage to know what is there. Have a look as I'm sure you will find agreement with many of the things said.

If you are a film buff then you will absolutely love the Senses of Cinema site. It states that it is "an online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic discussion of cinema." All you true film buffs out there, enjoy.

Speaking of film, you might also enjoy having a browse through the Moving History A guide to UK film and television archives in the public sector site. Here you will learn fascinating things about the British entertainment industry and have a historical look at some of the better television programs made over the last 50 years. I found it fascinating and hope you do as well.

Holiday season gives us not only time for family, etc. but also time to do those things we keep telling ourselves we will do one day, like going to the local museum for instance. The National Museum of Australia - Virtual Tour site will give you a virtual tour of what is happening in the Australian National Museum and hopefully entice you through their doors for a real life look at what they do.

One of the things that is fast becoming an attraction and a way to get up close and personal with some very interesting wildlife that surrounds us all, is shown on the NATURE Dolphins Close Encounters site. Indeed, if you browse around this site you will also learn a lot about all kinds of animals. Have a look and maybe you can find the type of thing you need for that classroom assignment. I know I could.

One of the only three magazines I subscribe to is on sale everywhere and is called PCWorld. Not only does it help to keep me up to date with what is happening in the computer world, it also has, on its website the PCWorld.com - Digital Duo Video 20052201256 video archives of these two television personalities for you to see. The Digital Duo consists of a man and woman who look at various computer or Internet issues and comment on them with an unbiased and non-geeky type of explanation. Turn up your speakers and go and have a look and a listen. You just might learn something useful for your own computer experience.

Many know of the life and times of J. Paul Getty, but not everyone knows of the magnificent legacy he left in what is called The Getty museum. This site will give you a glimpse into some of its holdings, and hopefully will entice you to visit it in person. This is one of the better museums dealing with more modern subjects. Do have a look.

With the holiday season upon us, the typical Australian goes out, fires up the "Barbie" and enjoys a time honoured tradition of cooking on a fire outdoors. What do we cook? Hop over to the BBQ Blue - Australian barbecue, outdoor cooking, tips, recipes. site and have a browse around. You'll find what we plan on having during this holiday season as well as millions of other Australians. Yummmmm.

If you are looking for more recipes to fill up on during this period, the About.com Recipe Source Ethnic-Asia-Australian- site should pretty well put you in the picture. Many of the recipes found here are legends in the Australian summer so have a look and maybe give them a try yourself when it is your turn to have summer. Enjoy.

And, if you and yours are vegetarians, no, I haven't left you out. If you visit the Recipes from Christmas Past - Vegetarian site you will fine many things to prepare without eating dead animals. You know, some of it looks pretty good to me. Maybe it will to you too. Have a look.

Sometimes you can find yourself in need of help to convert a file from one format to another. For instance you may want to convert an mp3 file to a .wav file so that you can put it on a CD to keep and play in the car. Or maybe, for security reasons, you need to convert a .doc or .xls file to a .pdf file so that you can send it to others to see, but not alter. If that is the case, hop over to the Zamzar - Free online file conversion site and see how simple it can be. For instance you first select the files on your computer that you wish to convert (up to 100mb in size), then select the format you wish it to be converted into (image files, doc files, music files, video files - and just about all the types in those formats), enter your email address so they can send the file back to you (note: an online email account like GMail or Yahoo or MSN works just as well), and then agree to the terms of service - and it's done. And the charge? Free!! Enjoy, and thanks Chris for the 'heads up' on this one.

You know that travel at this time of year is the duty of many, so that family and friends can be seen and the festive season can be celebrated. However, have you ever considered the plight of the travel agent who is occasionally dealing with someone who has never travelled before? One of the US Travel agency sites has provided a look at some of the headaches they face, and has named their site Why Americans Should Never Be Allowed To Travel, which might be a bit harsh, but certainly is good for a chuckle. Here you will find some great and apparently true stories of what has happened with these agents. Whether it's true or not, it's a great break for you to sip that coffee over. Enjoy.

Can you believe that it's two years since the Tsunami that devastated much of the Asia Pacific region? Thankfully the folk at Google have made a page of sites for Tsunami Relief which gives you clickable links to the agencies still working to try and help rebuild lives after this terrible disaster. Do have a look, and consider renewing your contribution to this important work to help our fellow inhabitants of this little green orb.

There is a terrible rumour that the average Australian male isn't helpful in most situations. Well, I can hardly let that rumour exist, seeing as I now live in Australia. For instance, if you turn up your speakers and visit the Fosters Gentlemen and other videos on StupidVideos.com site you'll see what I mean. Not helpful? I don't think so. *chuckles*

And to end this long list of Picks of the Week, the Vista operating system has finally been released to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and will apparently be in the stores in January for consumer purchase. Should you run out and buy your copy as soon as the store opens again? Well, I can tell you that I won't be in that line... not until about 6 months after its release. Why should I have all the problems with it? And you think that's funny - something that never happens in reality? Have a look and a listen to the video (From CNN of course) of the launch of Windows 98 to the folk at Comdex - the largest computer show on the American continent and arguably the largest computer show on the planet. Let's just say that Bill Gates shows why Windows 98 didn't exactly ship on time and maybe, just maybe, why I'll wait for a while before I jump in the deep water with Vista. Enjoy - and a very happy holiday season to you all. I look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.

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. ;-)