Podcasting: The Commuter’s Friend

Jan. 11, 2008 - PRLog -- Podcasting: The Commuter’s Friend

According to the 2007 Texas Transportation Institute's Urban Mobility Report, national commute times are increasing. However most readers didn’t need a report to inform them that their commutes were becoming longer. The downside of the transportation report is that there is no clear solution to the problem.

So if longer commutes are highly likely, what is a commuter to do? Engage the senses, of course.

Some commuters, particularly those who are driving, may take in the view. It can be wonderful to take in an interesting off road view during the slow commute to work. However, if you are on the train, like many East Coast commuters that view is not always pleasurable. Sometimes, people watching can be an entertaining or on the other hand a possibly dangerous proposition depending on the train line.

For some commuters, travel time is a time to engage the taste buds. Eating breakfast on the drive saves time and gives you something to do while driving. However, a recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association, found that drivers who ate and drank coffee, milk shakes, colas, juice and other nonalcoholic beverages while behind the wheel were at least as dangerous as those who talked on cell phones. Also, many metropolitan bus and train lines ban food on their conveyances.

So what is a safe and relaxing activity while commuting that keeps us out of danger and from gaining unwanted pounds? Listening to audiobooks.

According to a most recent audiobook survey, the majority of audiobook listeners include those who regularly read and buy printed books, but make use of audiobooks during times they are not able to read. Additionally, the top reason for listening to audiobooks given by people surveyed continues to be “activity to do on a long trip/while commuting.” The downside of most audiobooks is the cost. A majority of audiobooks can cost upwards of $30. However a new media technology known as podcasting is a free method of listening to new stories by new authors during the long commute.


Podcasting is defined as the making of an audio or video file that is updated frequently and syndicated to be available for automatic download so users can listen to the file at their convenience, similar to cable on-demand shows. Podcasting takes its name, from a combination of “iPod” and broadcasting. The iPod is the immensely popular digital audio player by Apple computer, but podcasting does not actually require the use of an iPod. Podcasts can be played back on portable media players and personal computers.

One company leading the way in audionovel podcasts is HarlemFriends.com. HarlemFriends.com brings first-time novelists to new audiences via free, downloadable audionovel podcasts. This business, based in Central Harlem, New York, presents new authors reading their novels to new audiences absolutely free. Listeners subscribe at the HarlemFriends.com website ,through iTunes (search term: HarlemFriends) or via this browser link
http://feeds.feedburner.com/HarlemFriendspresent
In this way HarlemFriends.com offers commuters the simple to use method of podcasting that facilitates the flow of audionovels in an efficient and seamless manner.

Many listeners of the podcasts have reported that once they discovered podcasted books they become hooked. They like many commuters have found it to be a stress-free way to enjoy the dreaded commute.

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HarlemFriends announces their latest author Janaya Black. For those who still haven't read the gripping tale of Marion Hayes in "The Breaking Point" by Janaya Black, now you can hear it.

Listen with HarlemFriends each week as a new chapter unfolds to find out what would drive a troubled woman to murder her loving husband.

Subscribe at http://www.HarlemFriends.com or use link http://feeds.feedburner.com/HarlemFriendspresent

Website: www.harlemfriends.com