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 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.

Apology. Last week when updating the site with that week's pages, which include the Main Home page seen here, the Previously Awarded, and Archive pages, plus the Blog contained on the site, I had what can only be described as a "senior moment". I uploaded all the pages and rewrote the blog, but neglected to update the main page (this one you are reading right now). For some reason I didn't even notice it until two frequent visitors both informed me on Wednesday that it had not been done. I immediately rectified the problem but to those visitors who wondered what happened, that was the reason. Thank you for letting me know of the problem David and Ruth. I was able to reply to and personally thank David, but unfortunately Ruth, your mail filtering system kept me out and unable to thank you properly as well.

Friends, if you see a problem on my site, please please do not hesitate to let me know. I can't correct things if I don't know about them, and with my senior years approaching, who knows what silly mistakes I will make. So please, let me know when you see things wrong, and again, Dave and Ruth, my heartfelt thanks to both of you for your help.

One of the longest running radio shows in the UK, specifically aimed at women, is the BBC - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour Homepage which, as you can see, now has its own website. Here you can listen to the current and archived programs, some of which I must admit, I listened to with great interest. You might find them enjoyable as well.

One of the shows on cable that my wife and I enjoy watching is the American show dedicated to remodeling a house, called This Old House. They also now have a website at Home Improvement and Remodeling This Old House and it is complete with a look at the tools they use, and even some tips on how to do things. Just remember to check the law in your area as what they are allowed to do on their own there may not be true where you live. Safety always, first and foremost.

When studying geography (and I fear that little is being taught in many of the world's classrooms) one really can't go past the CIA - The World Factbook - 2005 edition. I know, the source is bothersome but you must admit, they sure know a lot about virtually any country on the globe. Don't believe me? Have a look at your own country, but before you do, guess how many miles of paved vs. unpaved roads your country has, or the number of miles of railway track laid? Interesting that they know this fact huh? Enjoy.

If you are looking into blogging you might wish to have a look at the blogs of others before you embark on your own effort. One place to do that is the Blogs around the USA site. Yes, it does contain all kinds of blogs (so be careful here). No, it doesn't cover all of the blogs in the USA (who could?). Yes, it does give you an indication of the types of things people blog about. Have a read and make up your own mind.

When I look for sites, especially those offering taste tempting ways of preparing food, I try to find those that I think maybe I could make myself and try out in my own home. I must admit, being an insulin dependant diabetic does restrict me somewhat, but having said that, with a little judicious tweaking most things can be tried. Thus, sites like Mimi's Cyber-Kitchen Recipes - Recipes Recipes Recipes - Your First Stop for Food on the Web are invaluable in that they give you an idea of things to try that you may not have thought of. Give it a try and you'll soon see what I mean. Happy meals *smile*

The younger folk on the net require some good search facilities to find things for school, things for research and things for fun. However they also need to be protected in the process, and thus the Google Directory - Kids and Teens site by Google is a great search facility for those younger members of your household. And though my own Google search bar below is family friendly, not all are. If you have younger members of your household why not give them their own "favorites" folder and put this one in there for their use? Makes sense to me.

If you are a frequent visitor to my site you'll know that one of my interests is astronomy and looking at the universe. Well, as we all know many societies looked to the heavens for answers to problems and conditions that surrounded them at the time. Thus, the Ancient Observatories Chichén Itzá site shows us a fascinating look at Mayan culture and place of observation of the heavens. Have a look. Almost makes you wonder if there is anything new, doesn't it?

Food is a basic human right, as is housing, clothing, clean water, and medical treatment. The Food and Agricultural Organization sponsors a site to promote good food and nutrition knowledge around the globe, which you can see at the ESN home page - Food and Nutrition international site by the FAO link. Interesting to see the international community working to better all mankind, as it should.

If you have an online presence (and by reading this, you have) you must also be aware of certain security issues that could affect your own connection to the Internet. Some of the terms used can be confusing however, and thus the Information Security Glossary - The Information Security Policies Glossary site can be a useful resource for you to better understand the concepts and the things that you should be concerned about (or not). Have a look and increase your knowledge if nothing else. *smile*

One of the things that I must admit I didn't take in high school was physics. I barely got through 2 years of algebra. However, if you are studying physics then you need to have a look at the Mississippi State University Physics Simulations site. It is well laid out with lots of good exhibits which explain different theories. A well done site with a lot of useful explanations.

If you were brought up in the USA way back when I was (pre TV) you might remember radio shows such as Sam Spade and Flash Gordon. If you do remember radio shows like that, then you'll enjoy the Radio Memories site, where you can listen to recordings of those shows from so long ago. Do a search for your favorites, and you may well find them there. Lovely to know that such archives exist - a real trip down memory lane.

If you are involved in the business world in any way you will probably chuckle at the We do stuff site as I did. It is a great parody on business but remember, it is just that, a parody, not reality. Enjoy.

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. ;-)