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 Monday 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.

A friend of my family has just been relieved of one of her two full time jobs. This same friend is, or was, an avid fisherperson. Now that this friend has a little more time, the hobby may be re-considered or re-visited as a pleasant respite from the chores of the past. Thus I hope that the site named A history of fly fishing is not only of use to this person but is also of interest to those who enjoy this sport. Interesting piece of history actually.

You know that many folk use blogs to let the world know how they are, what their thoughts on various subjects are, and to keep in touch with other friends around the globe. The Blog Navigator site shows you various methods of creating your own and also reading others blogs, and where to find them. Have a go and see how you are at writing one. If it is noteworthy, send the URL (website address) to me and if it warrants an award you could be the recipient of a Pick of the Week as well. *smiles*

Recipes are something I love to see, especially those that tempt my taste buds. And, they are now not only found on websites, they are also found in various blogs, such as Kalyn's Kitchen which is a recipe blog that you should see for yourself. Hop over and have a look. I think it's a great way to share knowledge.

My grandson is of the age where Dinosaurs are a big thing. Playing with toy sized models is also educational and I am always amazed by what he actually knows about the various kinds. Thus, the Dinosauria On-Line site is one I'll ensure he sees and it bookmarked for him to visit when he is at "PomPom's" house. Your young folk might find it interesting as well.

I know that few, if any, ever play games on their computer as we are all so busy and business-like (coughs and sputters). Then maybe you should bookmark the Looney Tunes - Games site for your children or grandchildren to enjoy. Of course you wouldn't enjoy it yourself. After all, you didn't watch cartoons when you were young did you? *chuckles*

Those doing research on historical things, especially those in England and Wales, may well find the Historical Directories site worth a browse. It contains a digital library of local and trade directories for England and Wales from 1750 to 1919. Hmm, not being a historian myself I still enjoyed looking around that site for some interesting historical info. You might as well.

More and more folk around the globe are using their gardening talents more wisely as time goes on. They concentrate on ways to garden without much labor, without much water, and without using too many chemical pesticides as well. Thus, the Home Page - Sustainable Gardening Australia site is worth a read as it is a gardening magazine here in Australia, and though possibly far from you, may be a useful bit of information to your gardening efforts as well.

As many now know, I am now retired, mainly due to my health but, I have been semi-retired for a while now. One of the things I never really got used to when in business was the penchant for males to tie a knot around their neck as a way to start the day. Amazingly many in the business world still consider this a part of business gear they wouldn't do without. Though I still maintain that the "necktie" was invented by a fashion designer who had a piece of cloth left over and didn't know what to do with it or want to throw it away, if you still rise every morning and tie one around your neck, you might find the Learn how to tie a neck tie, tying knots, school, dress, bow ties, half Windsor, etc site of help. I'll stick with my open necked shirt thanks.

Don't you love seeing the new and innovative gadgets around each year? I do, and yes, admit to being a bit of a gadget freak myself. Thus, The Gadgeteer - The best source of gadget and gizmo related reviews on the net! site is a great site to bookmark and revisit from time to time to keep up with the latest on the street. Enjoy.

If you have ever had to translate a document into another language other than your own, or translate one you have received from someone else in a language foreign to yours, you might find that the Word2Word Language Resources and Translating Chat site worth bookmarking for future use. It is a great way to finally understand what that overseas client really wants. This could be a great business tool.

More and more sites are becoming resource intensive, and thus, if you don't have broadband you can't, or it takes you a long time, to enjoy what they have to offer. Unfortunately sites like the Welcome in the International Perfume Museum site really does pose problems if you don't have broadband. But, if you do, hop over and have a look at some of the smells (and yes, smellvision is coming and being worked on as we speak) that have intrigued us for ages. Great site but both broadband and a dialup versions would have been helpful.

It amazes me how rock/rap/etc has spread around the planet. I recently found a site, done by couple of Chinese students with, obviously nothing better to do, miming to a song and recording their attempt at lip-syncing the musical voiceovers. Have a look at the I want it that way video clip, turn up your speakers, and see what you think of these two. I'd give them a 3 for at least giving it a try.

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. ;-)