Mac's Picks is a collection of family friendly interesting and useful sites, updated weekly. These sites are family friendly, and cover subjects dealing with search, internet, internet radio, news, health, medical resources, household hints, education, educational resources, recipes, food, strange, different, help pages, homework, kids, diy, 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 How Info" link on the right side of this page.

This page is updated on a weekly basis, each Monday 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.

Something New

If you look near the bottom of this page you will see a poll dealing with the categories of sites you might like to see more of. I don't collect personal data from you at any time, but ask that you take a moment and let me know, by clicking on your favourite category, what type of site you would like to see. If the category is not listed, then please email me with that information (see the right side of this page for the "Contact Me" link) and I will try to add that as well. You have, by your regular weekly visit to my family friendly category site, made this site into one that receives over 500 people per day at times, so why not have your input into what I show as well? Please also read the "Why How Info" link on the right side of this page to see the criteria I use. Thank you in advance for your help.

There seem to be a never ending stream of magazines on the local bookstores shelves and at the supermarket. One recent magazine that I found online but have yet to see in either of those (though I must admit I haven't been looking for it) is one aimed primarily at the female members of the household called Femail Magazine Empowering & Inspiring Every Woman. Now, if that lives up to its name and indeed, empowers and inspires women to better their lot in the general scheme of things, then I applaud it and think you should have a look. One only needs look back and either the first or second world wars to know that women can do literally anything men can, so maybe a little empowerment wouldn't go astray. I feel it's about time we, as a society, admitted that, don't you?

There are so many blogs to look through now that trying to stay focused on the things that are important to you is becoming more difficult. When you are sorting through your list of blogs to read, you might want to pas an eye over Jeremy Zawodny's blog. His blog is particularly interesting in that he is an employee of Yahoo and he lets you in on what's happening at that old standby. Looks like the search engine wars are only in the planning stages doesn't it?

Friends of mine have problems in maintaining or losing weight, one of life's little nasties. Well, it's possible that the Free Weight Loss Calculators and Tools, written by a friendly visitor to my pages, might be just what you need to help you in your calculations. And, they are free as well. Nice one James, and good of that company to put them online for all of us to use. Have a look and see if they might be of help to you in your own weight control program as well.

If you have a digital camera or ipod or any other battery powered device that you carry around with you, the Do and don't battery table site might not only be an interesting read, but might save you time, trouble, and money in the long run. Now that I have a good battery charger and have bought the required AA and AAA cells for the various devices I use (not the camera which has its own fortunately), I've found that even straight from the package they need charging. So, if you have joined the battery recharge group as I have, do that for starters. Then also read this table.

Occasionally I get email from friends and contacts overseas who ask what there is to really see in Australia. I've yet to find anyone say they have never thought of visiting this place and seeing what sights there are. One of the sites that can give you a good indication of things to do, how to get here, where to stay, and what to see, is the Australia Total Travel Guide - Accommodation, Tours, Flights & Maps site. It seems to be full of good info and you should be aware that most Australians are a very helpful people in general. Why not finally take the plunge and come see this fantastic land? You're not going to do it any younger.

It's lovely to see others who list the genre (Family Friendly) sites I do. One such site, submitted by a routine visitor to this site, is known as the Family Friendly Sites pages. I've had a look and indeed, they do it differently than I but they sure do a good job. I'd recommend hopping over and having a look here as well. This one is worth a bookmark and a frequent visit as well. Um, but before you go, don't forget to come back *smile*. Thanks for the tip Jim.

Do you own a video recorder? I don't but many folk, including my daughter and son-in-law, do. I recently found the VideoHelp.com site, which certainly seems to have a lot of good info for those who enjoy using their video cam. Have a look. It could make those videos of yours all the more interesting.

Unfortunately on our little green orb there appear to be a number of endangered species and we, as fellow inhabitants of this little speck of dust, should do what we can to try and save them. Hop over to the WWF WildFinder site and have a look around. At least being informed of the state of some of these creatures is a help. Deciding what, if anything, you can do to help is entirely a personal choice.

Are you one of those who are chomping at the bit, preparing for the launch of Microsoft's latest operating system, Vista? Um, before you get too excited, are you sure that computer of yours will handle it? If you haven't done so already, hop over to the Vista Readiness Test and give it a try. I failed by the way. But then as you know, my philosophy, at least until the new system is out there for at least 6 months is and will remain, "if it's not broken why fix it"? How does your present machine fare?

You might think I'm "mad as a hatter" or believe that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" or wonder what the origin of phrases you use is but have no idea how to find out. You'll happily discover that "at one fell swoop" the site named Meanings and origins of sayings and phrases List of sayings English sayings Idiom definitions Idiom examples Idiom can transport you into someone "as pleased as Punch" and "as happy as Larry" with your new understanding that I'm not "as queer as a nine bob note" after all, when you see that "as luck would have it", and with a gentle persuasion - or when I "make him an offer he can't refuse" your knowledge of the origin of often quoted phrases is enhanced by the writer of this wonderful site. You'll be able to have others at the next dinner party you attend "all agog" at your new found prowess with the language. Have a look. There must be one you've wondered about so look it up here. Fascinating site. Have a look yourself.

Is Outlook your email program? Then you should have a look at the Microsoft Office Marketplace Optimize Outlook site. It will show you things you should know about how to get the most out of Outlook. Worth a bookmark.

I know that some folk need a stimulus to help make this existence a better alternative than what it appears, but there has to be a limit somewhere doesn't there? Thus, whenever I go to the site titled 2004 Volvo XC90 LEGO Replica & XC90 - 1600x1200 Wallpaper I have to stop and think of how many hours it took to plan, then gather the LEGO for, and build a full sized model of a Volvo? And I thought I got bored. 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. ;-)