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.

Have you made your bookings yet for the most fantastic festival Australia has to offer? I'm prejudiced and I admit it, but the Wintersun index.ews site will show you all you need to know about a week (and a bit) long 50's, 60's and 70's Rock and Roll Festival held here on the Gold Coast of Queensland. If you're an old rocker, and/or you have ever dreamed of owning or even just seeing the most fantastic collection of hot rods in the country, then this is the place to be. I go every year and even with my problems walking, I wouldn't miss it for the world. The hot rods lining the streets of Coolangatta on the last weekend are reason enough to come, let alone the fantastic Rock going on around the area. Don't delay. If you can remember the King, Bill Haley, Gene Pitney, Chubby Checker, and others of that era, get your dancing shoes on and get here for the fun. Hope to see you there.

I recently came across a free program from Microsoft (don't faint - it's true) and I must say I'm impressed. The program, which you can download and install from the WorldWide Telescope - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com site, maps the sky and points out just about everything that can be seen by telescope. It uses images from NASA, and from the Hubble Space Telescope as well, to name but a few sources. Seriously, if you enjoy looking at the night sky and exploring other planets and galaxies, this program is a must. Download it and show it to your young folk. They will learn so much from this. Enjoy.

On the lower right side of this page you will see a link to the Flookie Blog Search which is a search engine to help you find the blog or blogs you wish to read on a regular basis. I must say it is a site that certainly changes over time and has expanded in many ways since its inception. Have a look and look up your subject of choice. You never know - someone is probably blogging about it. You may as well see what they have to say *smile*. Have fun.

If you've ever thought that you might be able to do some DIY at your place, if only you had someone to teach you, then the make Blog MAKE Magazine Podcast Archives site may be just what you need to inspire you all over again. This site is taken from Make magazine and the podcasts contained in it are really quite well done for the most part. Have a look. You might find a project that you could do for yourself here.

Everyone needs a break now and again and the next time you do, get that "cuppa", sit down, and head to the Free Online Games to play and Free games for your website site. Here you'll find some interesting games on all kinds and levels and yes, they are all free to play as well. Enjoy your break... but be careful. This site could get addictive. *smiles*

An amazing number of people fight depression. Our society has a lot to answer for. However, an article I recently read may help those who experience the odd case of anxiety or depression. It is from the Better Health Channel and is called Depression and exercise - Better Health Channel.. Now I can see you saying "when I'm depressed exercise is the farthest thing from my mind" and that may well be true. However, as the old saying goes, don't knock it until you try it, so do have a read and next time, try it out as well. Face it - you have nothing at all to lose.

Need something to show the little ones and keep them occupied? To be frank one of the best sites to take them to is the Sesame Workshop - Sesame Street and if you browse around it you'll find ways to make their learning fun as well. Enjoy.

If you are studying science at school, or even after school, you may well enjoy the Science News Online site as it not only contains news stories showing the latest discoveries, but it also talks about science itself and what is happening in the scientific community. Interesting site and certainly a good way to keep up with the times.

One of those things the young folk need to develop for its ability to help in future studies is their Reading Skills and hopefully in a helpful way. This site is a selection of various definitions and explanations about improving reading skills. At least it will set you on the right track to understanding how you can help them learn to read. Great site for anyone wanting to brush up on their reading skills.

Have you ever heard of the Open Directory Project? If not you should, and the About the Open Directory Project site will explain it all to you. It shows that the net should be free because that is how it was originally set up. Have a read and join in their efforts. You can help and you can make a difference.

Recently the Australian government decided to hold a weekend where they invited thinkers from many diverse fields in Australia to come to Canberra, the nation's capitol, for a weekend to try and plot where this country should be, or should strive to be, by the year 2020. The Australia 2020 site shows the results of this weekend think tank. Now it's time for all of us to try and make it work. Have a read. You might find some ideas there for your own country to strive toward.

There are some silly things on the net. Personally I love them as they distract us all from the mundane. The Just load the page for 20 seconds and hit play, which I named this site, is such a site. Turn up your speakers then just do as it says, Click on the link, wait 20 seconds or so, and hit play, Trust me, this is "what to do when you have a lot of time on your hands, speakers turned up, and are bored beyond belief." Enjoy.

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. ;-)