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.

As some may know, I recently purchased a machine with Windows Vista preloaded as the operating system. Like many I had problems with a few things in Vista and despaired of finding answers to those problems. However, I came across the Windows Vista Community Discussion Groups and I'm here to tell you they are worth their weight in diamonds. The advice I had found previously had me doing everything from looking in places that no longer existed online for help, to literally reformatting the hard drive and starting all over again, a choice I thankfully declined to take. I asked two questions in this group discussion community and received the correct answers within 12 hours. Conclusion? If you're running Vista and having problems, register here for free then ask away. You won't be disappointed.

Many times when you install a new version of an old program, or "upgrade" to the latest version, you end up with problems. Thus, the OldVersion.com site is really worth a bookmark for those times you need it. Their motto and rational for being online is "Because sometimes new isn't always the best". Can't argue with that.

Perfume is at best a subjective thing. Things that smell wonderful to some will almost choke the next person. Thus The Perfume Shrine blog is an interesting blog in that it is run by someone with a passion for the perfumes of the world, how they are made, what they smell like, and a whole raft of other things about perfume you may not have considered before. Have a look. It may open new insights into the world of smell for you as well.

Looking for something a little different to tantalise those tastebuds in your household? How about an old favourite dressed up in a new way? I speak of the recipe titled Cooks.com - Recipe - Pork Chops Barbados and though pork chops may not be everyone's favourite dish, this particular one sounds yummy. Have a look. You might have found a new method of gaining praise for your own cooking techniques.

When I was growing up and in school, though I took two years of algebra and one year of geometry, I must admit I disliked both subjects, and couldn't see the relevance of either. That was especially true of geometry. However, if I had had the Math.com Homework Help Geometry resource to call upon to enhance my learning, I may well have not only enjoyed the subject more, but learned something as well. Imagine my surprise to learn that geometry is useful for something besides shooting pool *chuckles*. A miss-spent youth indeed.

When you sign up for a new service online or a site you wish to participate in, one can be forgiven for wondering what percent your spam is going to increase as well. One way around that problem is to simply take out a disposable email account at the 2 Prong - Easy Disposable email site and using that email address to register your new identity on the site you wish to join. Nice free idea for your use and protection.

Speaking of free advice, when was the last time you did a refresher course on your first aid skills? The Mayo Clinic in Mass, USA, offers a very comprehensive guide to first aid that you might like to have a look at. Hop over to the First-Aid Guide - MayoClinic.com site and have a read. It might be a good idea to take your family members there as well. You just never know when you'll need those skills.

Finding a search facility on the net geared to children (and thus is safe for them to use) can be a daunting task. However, the Kidspot Australia - Search hundreds of local activities, sports, entertainment, products & specialists for Kids site indeed seems to fill the bill for those parents and guardians who wish their younger family members to have access to the net for schoolwork as well as enjoyment. Take your young folk with you to this site and see what they and you both think. I think it's worth a bookmark for my grandsons and pass it on to you to use as well.

If you are unaware of the need to address the issue of global warming, and how to help our environment, welcome back from whatever planet you've been on recently *smile*. Seriously, we hear about this subject a lot, but how much do you really know about it? The Basic Science The Pew Centre on Global Climate Change site puts it all into plain simple language so we can all understand the issues involved. It also suggests various ways of helping the situation that we all can participate in. Have a look.

In Australia, as in many countries, there is what is known as "Free To Air" television as well as cable or satellite television. Though the cable and satellite networks also carry the "Free To Air" stations, the stations themselves do not provide program listings so finding out what is on which channel when is not an easy task. However, a couple of websites, including the TV Guide - yourTV.com.au site, do list both "Free To Air" and the cable and satellite network program guides. Have a look. I think this is one worthy of a bookmark as I know I'll return to it, and often.

There may be occasions when you need to access your files on your home computer while travelling. You may also wish to simply share some things with family, friends, and colleagues to download and use at their leisure. Finding a decent sized online website to do that without it costing the price of the crown jewels can be difficult. But now Microsoft of all people have instituted the Windows Live SkyDrive Beta site for you to register with to solve that problem. It is a 500mb storage facility accessible from any computer with a net connection, And, it's free!!! Have a look. It could solve your problems.

Did you happen to hear recently that a new giant, and I mean giant, planet was found? It's millions and millions of miles from us, but it's Huge!. Hop over to the Largest Known Planet Discovered, Astronomers Announce site and have a look. Isn't it amazing what we don't know? *smiles*

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. ;-)