Hello and welcome to Mac's Picks of the Week. If you are interested in why this site exists, how it operates, and a little about Mac, then click on the Why and How Info link and see what is there. When you have finished please return to this Home page and see what sites I have chosen this week to receive a Mac's Picks of the Week award. Thank you for visiting and please share this site with friends, family, and colleagues who you feel will enjoy it.

This page is updated on a weekly basis, each Monday Australian (Queensland) time (GMT + 10 hours according to the world clock). Please come back and visit often.

As today marks the 6th anniversary of the passing of our beloved daughter Deidre Lee to the next of God's Kingdoms, we invite you to read her dedication page on this site at Dedication to our daughter, Deidre Lee McLellan. You will always be missed yet are with us still Deidre. Thank you.

Many people find English to be the hardest language to learn, and some of those grew up with it as their mother tongue. Some are fortunate and take an interest in how it is constructed (such as my wife) and relish it being spoken and written properly. I am fortunate to have her as my partner for it is she who proofreads my site each week and marks the incorrect things I have used. If English is a language you have problems with, even if you have spoken it all your life, or if you are in school and have English as a subject, you may find that the English Grammar Online site, which contains free exercises, explanations, vocabulary, dictionary and teaching materials, is well worth a look and a bookmark to return to again and again. Have a look. It may help you as well.

One of the blogs I came across recently may be something that would pique your interest as well, especially if you are interested in computers and the growth of the Internet. It is called Techmeme and indeed, at first glance, appears to be a blog for techies. But if you read it through you will find that you too understand what is being said, and it therefore might be one you wish to return to again and again. I know I find it worth a look occasionally.

With the advent of Windows Vista© it was only a matter of time until someone came up with a site like Windows Vista ® Wallpaper, Screensavers, Icons Backgrounds & Themes. Vista comes with a few looks but here you can find others as well that might be interesting and make it more to your own style. It is, after all, your computer and your copy of Vista. Enjoy.

The care and attention needed to take proper care of a family pet many find a daunting task. If your dog or cat at times gives you problems with their care, think of the poor folk who have to care for the more Exotic Pets that there are to have. I must admit that I enjoy animals and indeed have a cat named Kylmousky (pronounce it and you'll catch on why) but I don't think I'll go for anything more exotic than her. Who knows? You might spot your next pet here.

Eating well is a dream most of us have; however the vast majority of us can't afford the dishes we see on television, either because or cost of time. Thus, the Destitute Gourmet has some clever ideas to make food interesting and rewarding, while not costing your week's salary for a meal. Have a look and spice up your own menu.

One of the things many folk keep handy is a copy of Roget's Thesaurus so that their writing does not become as repetitive as it could. Happily, they are now online as well at the Thesaurus.com-Roget's Thesaurus Alphabetical Index site. If you are doing an assignment or a report, either for school or work, it might pay to re-read what you've written and change the odd word here and there for something as descriptive but not as repetitive. This one is worth a bookmark for future use.

It appears that the vast majority of us online use Google as our favourite search engine, and indeed, it has a lot going for it. However, no one search facility covers the entire internet and its resources. Thus, you might like to have a look at the Releton Search facility which searches Google, Yahoo and About, all at once and brings you back what it's found. I suggest this one should be added do your armament of search engines.

Most of us online find a particular need for some or another program to do a specific task for us. We don't necessarily want to spend vast sums to get the job done but would like to have someone to ask what is available to do that task for us. The Open Source Software for Windows- Suggested Applications site, which has interesting ratings of freeware and shareware that is available for us to download and use, is a site worth not only having a look at but also bookmarking so that we can return to it when we need yet another piece of new software. Great site and a real service to the Internet community.

You will no doubt know the often quoted saying "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" but have you ever listened to other conversations from space? The site called spacesounds - we are listening has all sorts of interesting things for you to see and hear. You can hear space talk between mission control and the various space flights as well as sounds made by space itself and travelling across the universe to our receivers. They indeed do listen to space and you can as well. It's a fascinating site. Have a look.

One of the things I keep telling myself is that I must start trying to play golf again. It's been a few years now since I've held a club (though I never held it with much authority in the past *chuckle*) and I feel the exercise might be beneficial as well. I am not looking to become one of those listed on the Official World Golf Ranking - Home - Introduction site but you might be interested to look at what they have to offer. The good thing is that the site is constantly updated so you do get the latest info on who is winning what. See what you think. I'm sure the Internal or Inland Revenue Service will love it. *chuckles*

If one of your friends has Microsoft Vista, and is also now sporting the latest version of Microsoft Office, you may find that a file they send you, made and saved in that version, is unreadable by your own version of Office. However, all is not lost. All you need do is hop over to the Download details Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats site, pick the particular reader software you need, download and install it and all should be well. And of course, it may be time to seriously think of obtaining a copy of the new office yourself. It is indeed, the first real upgrade worth the money and time I've seen since the mid 90's.

Some sites are online to be helpful and useful... and then there is the You Got Questions, Ninja Got Answers. Ask A Ninja site. All I really can say is this guy is funny. Have a look when you have a few spare minutes and scroll down where you will also find other episodes. Silly? Maybe, but don't we all need a laugh now and again?

Rebecca Game of "Digital Women - Women with their modems running...", is my web designer and a graphic designer who is superb to say the least. 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. ;-)