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.

Addendum: It has been a while since I've added anything to the site I call Mac's Musings but this week saw an event that made me write yet another of these musings, titled This Is Not Cricket and I suggest that if you are a cricket fan as I am, that you read this musing and possibly take the action I suggest. I know I will and encourage any who love the game and detest racial slurs of any kind to follow suit. I am aware that many may not agree with what I say but I have the right to my opinion and have no problem stateing it on my own site. Enjoy your read and join me in protesting this injustice.

With the Christmas season just past, one could be forgiven for wondering what you could do to make the next one that much better. Thus, it might pay for parents to go have a look at the Christmas entertainment on Christmas website once again, as this is the parents side of that site which appears to have some interesting and helpful ideas working toward the next such festive season. If you celebrate this holiday in your home, have a look at this site.

One of the long time supporters of my site, who thankfully sends me sites they have found that they think I should have a look at, sent along the GabMail (r) Email Composer site, which I obviously am passing on to you. Why? Because if you have a webcam and wish to send a video greeting to someone across the globe, this is one easy way to do it. It's not another Gmail type account but it sure looks like a great idea for those special occasions. Have a look and maybe bookmark this one.

Have you ever thought of learning another language? It's a daunting task, or can be, but the italki - Language Exchange and Learning Community site may just make that a little bit easier for you to try. It appears to be run by people who simply, like you, wish to share their own language as well as learn a new one. Sound like fun? I think it might be, and if you're studying a language in school as well, this site might help you there also. Have a look.

Old timers like me can remember radio shows such as Abbott and Costello, Burns and Allen, Charlie McCarthy, and even Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. I know, it dates me, but if you enjoyed those shows as I did (and many, many, many, others) have a look at the OTR Depot - Sean O'Brien's Old Time Radio site and turn up your speakers. There is a load of wonderful memories held here. Give yourself a treat and have a listen to this one. Note: This one is not free, but it might be worth the price. *smile*

Another friend sent these Space Mission Photos to me to have a look at and I thought I'd pass them along. They are, without doubt, some of the most spectacular photos I've seen of a mission in progress with our little blue orb floating in the background. These really are superb so do have a look.

Have you ever had that maddening situation where there is a song playing over and over and over - in your head, and you can't, for the life of you, think of the name of the song or who did it? If so you'll be pleased to know that almost everyone has had that happen at one time or another. You may also be pleased to know that if you hop over to the WatZatSong.com - What's that song Music lovers name your tune! site and record what you can remember of the song (no one expects you to be the next Idol in the process) by singing it, humming it, whistling it, or whatever, the other folk who go to the site will try and figure out what it is and who it's by for you. Now that should be fun. And to end this little episode, let me say this: "It's a small world after all...." Ducks and runs from the room...

There is, as you no doubt are aware, some amazing software available on the net. Some of it is also Freeware, meaning it's free to download and use to your heart's content. One such group of software is published by its author on the IObit Freeware site. Yes, it's free but there is nothing at all preventing you from sending the author a few dollars to buy a burger with in appreciation. I think that's a great way to encourage more such software, don't you? And, it's great software. Have a look.

When I was a boy my father and I built a 027 gauge model railway in our basement. It was huge by the time we finished with it and unfortunately I no longer know where it is. Today it would be worth a lot of money I feel. However, others still are caught up in the marvel of creating model railways with fantastic scenery, and many of those can be found at the Welcome to Scenic Model Railways site. Trust me, this can become a wonderful though addictive hobby (if you have the space) and it certainly can become a family activity. Have a look and consider possibly doing this same thing with someone you know.

Rather than build things, some would simply rather play more cerebral things like word games. Indeed, the ones on this site are interesting to try and I'm sure you'll enjoy them all. Have a look and see how your own skill in this area measures up.

I grew up in a town that was approximately 40% Italian, 40% Polish, and the remaining 20% was composed of almost every other ethnicity you can think of. Thus, I have a soft spot in my heart (and stomach) for Polish food. Have you ever tried any? If not, hop over to the Cuisine and Polish 400 Recipes Recipezaar site and browse through this list. Indeed there are now over 400 recipes here and many bring back fond memories of my own childhood. Enjoy.

If you're of a slightly younger generation you may still be attracted to things like puzzles, and the Puzzle Pirates site is a treasure trove of them for you to try and have fun with. These are great learning tools as well (but don't tell anyone as that might make them seem like work...). Enjoy.

And for those budding musicians out there who don't have a keyboard of their own, you might try the VIRTUAL KEYBOARD - PIANO site to while away some time on. I must admit that I'm not a big fan of clickable keyboards, but then maybe I'm just getting old. Have a look. It may be just the thing you need to distract yourself for a while when you next take a break. Have fun.

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. ;-)