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.

Just about everyone has heard of or discusses global warming and what we can do about it, but did you know there are some interesting blogs that look at alternative energy sources as solutions? You might like to have a look at The Wind Energy Blog as in some areas of the planet it could offer a viable alternative to energy being produced by burning fossil fuels. There are blogs online on just about every subject you can think of, if you search well enough. *smile*

In every household things occasionally break down. That is part of the supposed life cycle of most things, that they cease to function just when you need them the most. Thus, with just a little knowledge and a willingness to try to do it yourself, the Washing Machine Repair - Dishwasher Repair - Fridge Repair by My Home Service site might just prove to be a lifesaver when you need it next. And you know you will - so bookmark this site to come back to when you require that type of help again.

Last week our eldest grandson invited us to his school's "Grandparents Day" and we were not only pleased to attend but were impressed by the things shown that they study in his class. One of those things was the science of growing plants, and each child had a plant of some description growing and being cared for by them. Science is one of those things that can be so interesting to learn, or can be a chore if taught badly. Thankfully his teacher is doing a fine job teaching this subject as well as others. For ways you might like to explore with your young folk learning about science look at the globeandmail.com Science site. The site is run by a newspaper and is full of interesting scientific subjects to delve into. Have a look. You can help your young folk to enjoy this study as well.

One of the things that seems to have been almost neglected in our education systems is the study of geography. Think you know this planet and what is where on it? Hop over to the Test Your Geography Knowledge site, click on an area of the planet, and see what you know about that area. You might be aware of the geography in your own back yard, but what about the opposite side of the planet? Have a try and see what you know (or don't know but maybe should). *smile*

Of course, young folk should not simply work all the time. Some good interactive play would be nice as well (and can also provide its own learning experience in the process). Thus the Nick Jr. Parents--Play to Learn with Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer, Little Bill and More! site uses the wonderful characters from this television channel to help your young folk learn about the planet around them. Why not play with them there and help in their learning and play? It's immensely rewarding to do so.

And remember, playing isn't just for kids. How about exercising your own mental capacity with some Games for the Brain? You'll find enough here to pick your interest and make that coffee break productive as well as enjoyable for you. I know I did.

In our globetrotting recipe hunt I came across the Belarus Recipes site and had to admit that I didn't really know a lot about the recipes from this area of the globe. Why not have a look and maybe give some of these a try? I think my family and I might.

You've no doubt heard of or visited the site known as YouTube, and possibly seen some wonderful items on there you would love to have on your own computer to show to friends. You can do that quite easily with the YouTube Downloader which is software to download and convert YouTube video to almost any video format you wish, even formats that will allow you to then add them to your iPod. Now that's a useful little application to have. Enjoy.

Ever been in a position while online that you needed a spell checker? They aren't easy to find but they do exist. For instance, the Mark Horrell - Online Spell Checker site does just that for you. You copy and paste the text you wish to be checked into this site and tell it to spell check it for you and you end up with a well checked document. I'd bookmark this one as you never know when it might come in handy for you.

With all the talk of climate change and global warming it may be a good idea to see what the folk at the United Nations think of it all. And what better way of doing that than going to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and reading what they are discussing and how they propose that we collectively solve these problems? Have a read. Pretty interesting stuff.

There are a lot of things to read online, but did you know that specifically you can also read things found on the Online Books, Poems, Short Stories site and that you can print them off as well? Now that has to be interesting. Have a look.

You know the phrase "Toys For The Boys"? Well, this isn't particularly aimed at boys, but think of the technology involved that allows you, from your home computer, to connect with and operate the webtruck.org WebTruck live truck half the way round the world. Sounds like science fiction? Nope, you just click on the truck and operate it from your own computer. Now that has to be innovative. Just think what else you and the rest of mankind could do with that technology.... or maybe not. *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. ;-)