Since this review was written, Spymac has undergone significant changes. It's still one of the coolest places to go, but most of the links here won't work. I'll be doing a new review soon.

First, let's get a disclaimer out of the way. I am a moderator on the Spymac web site, and have been involved in some of the activities on the web site, so I've got a definite bias. But, I am a moderator because I think that Spymac is a great site, not the other way around. Spymac is definitely Cool Stuff.

Spymac started life as purely a rumor site. It still breaks rumors on the front page, but when you get inside the site, you find a thriving online community.

The Forums have the sections you might expect on a Macintosh website--Hardware, Software, Tech Chat, Helping Hand. The Developers Den is where web development and programming is discussed. There's also the Arcade, where all sorts of games are discussed, mostly console games. (There's an active Animal Crossing Trading thread as I write this.)

The Lounge is where the unique character of Spymac shows out. The subjects will vary from current politics to hot girls to men wearing panties and more, we're a rather eclectic bunch.

A special feature of the Lounge are the Mega Threads, threads that go on for month after month. "What song are you listening to right now" has people share their music tastes by the song they have on at the time. "Longest Thread Ever" has 9175 posts about nothing. (Beat that, Seinfeld.) Be sure to stop in at The Spymac Bar, order a drink or a meal, and chat about the day's doings.

Every user gets a free spymac.com e-mail address. This has been welcomed since a previous provider of free e-mail addresses to the Mac community has started .Charging. The Webmail function is clean and simple, and free POP mail access is included.

Adding to this is an active Gallery. Every user can upload up to 50 Megabytes worth of images for others to view and comment on. These images range from the profound to the disturbing to the silly. Many of the images you'll find have been digitally altered.

Speaking of digitally altering images, there is a monthly Pixel Mania contest, where people create images based on a them. Check the "Contests" section of the Gallery to see past entries. Subjects have included Product Placement gone bad, What would the superstars of the computer industry have done if they hadn't gone into computers, and the worst possible announcements by Steve Jobs. I run these contests, they start around the end of the month. There are prizes, but the fun is in the competing.

There have been other contests too. We have a current contest going on for Strange Gear, where people show strange modified hardware.

Unlike many free community sites, you won't be inundated with ads that pop up, pop under, or shake and shimmy their way onto the top of every page. There's a small ad at the top of the home page, and an online store with T-shirts and such.

All these are cool, but it's the people that make it special. We are a diverse group, we don't always get along but we're rarely boring. Come along! Ten Ooos out of ten.