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 us often.

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Do you ever wonder if your computer will one day finally be able to understand exactly what you want, and then do it for you? That would be one form of artificial intelligence and to date no one that I know of has really passed the simple internationally recognized test to ensure it has happened. However, the research continues in this fascinating field and one of the more interesting blogs about it can be seen at the Artificial Intelligence Resources Subject Tracer Information Blog site. We may not be there yet, but then again, we may not be far from it either.

Having said that we aren't really there yet, there is a piece of software that maybe you should have a look at. It is called blinkx and it is a search tool that learns from what you search for. Now, that may not seem significant, but then again, even some people don't necessarily learn in that way *smiles*. Hop over and have a look.

One of the pieces of software I came across recently is called NoteTab Light and it's not only freeware, it is quite a useful replacement for notepad on your computer. It's a text editor of sorts, but it has one heck of a lot more to it. Hop over, download the free version, install it, and see what you think. I know I most likely won't use notepad again.

When one listens to or watches the news one can't help but see or hear about human rights violations around the globe. The folk at Amnesty International - The Wire - October 2004 show you the ones you really don't normally hear about, the ones still in the pipeline to be solved internationally. Isn't it time humanity actually became humane? What say we give that a try for say, the next ten years? Then, if it doesn't work, we can go back to the way mankind has abused others on this planet that has been practiced for at least the past two thousand years. Make sense? It does to me.

You know those wonderful thirst quenching drinks you've seen on the market, at the gym or in the supermarket, that purport to have such wonderful qualities about them because they contain this or that herb? Ever really investigated what those herbs actually do? Do they work? Are they effective? Is there any medical information about them at all? Funny you should ask, because if you hop over to the Herbal Safety site and check out their herbal fact sheets you might find that some do work, but some can also do more damage than good. Interesting site but I think I'll most likely stick to water and the pills/capsules and Insulin I presently have to take every day. *shrugs* - at least I'm still here. *smiles*

That time of year when folk start preparing for the arrival of Santa is fast approaching. How about taking your younger family members to the Kids Domain Crafts - Craft Recipes site and seeing what things there are there that you could help them make as gifts? There is everything from bubble makers and bubble recipes to stained glass (looking) cookies you can eat. Sounds like fun to me. See if it makes their gift giving more personal and from their heart. :-)

Thinking of various holidays, food normally plays an integral part in the processes. How about something a little different from some of those who really know what they are doing in the kitchen? The Global Gourmet Recipes, Cooking Tips, Contests & More site contains all kinds of idea and recipes from various well known Gourmet Chefs. Have a look and see what you might consider making for your next dinner party.

I'm an inveterate music lover, and in particular, a small combo jazz lover. One of the magazines that has survived down through the past 4 decades at least, is Down Beat Magazine. Their online website edition isn't as comprehensive as the one you can buy from almost any newsstand, but it is one way of keeping up with what's new in the jazz (and music) world. Give it a try.

Those my age (and remember, I'm so old that I knew Catherine the Great when she was simply Catherine the So-So) have a lot of memories of "the good old days". Wow - do I sound like my father or what? ;-) However, the Nostalgia Central website has everything from Elvis to Hippies to a list of things that only happen in movies. It's a fun site and I'm sure you'll find something of interest there. Enjoy.

How many times have you been writing someone or some document and think "I know there is a word for such-and-such, but for the life of me I can't remember what it is"? Well, the OneLook Reverse Dictionary might just be worth a look, as it works in reverse. You put in your description and it tries to find you a word that will cover what you mean. And just think, even crossword lovers will like this one because you should be able to put in the clue and get back a list of words that fit that description. Worth a bookmark I think. ;-)

You will have heard about spyware and the fact that you can get it (unknowingly) by using certain software and/or visiting certain websites. But what software and what websites should you avoid? The Spyware Warrior Rogue-Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites site appears to tackle that question head on, and lists sites and software that you should most likely avoid. They are a brave bunch, but after all, if software or websites plant tracking software on your computer without your expressed permission (and I do NOT believe that by hiding it in some lengthy user agreement it is then okay to do it), then I say fair enough. Name them and let's all avoid this scourge. Have a look at their list. If you have the software you most likely have the spyware that came with it.

Ok, I know I usually put some strange things somewhere on my site, and indeed, I did have one recently where one person is convinced that you can make a helmet of aluminum foil to frustrate the efforts of those who are practicing mind control on you - but a whole house? Hop over and have a look at the BBC NEWS England Foil protects against mobile mast site and read the story. The BBC ran this story so it must have some validity no? Umm - you make up your own mind. I'm not ready to start lining my walls just yet and my mobile phone is too valuable to throw away. But maybe I should. Should you? ;-)

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. ;-)