Using Commuting Time: Week 3 – Interview with Syd Nadim, Skobbler and more

To recap, I am on a voyage of discovery - learning how to maximise my commuting time.

In the last few weeks, I have discovered:

• Learning #1 Just because a Google search doesn’t yield results after 10 or so searches, does not mean it doesn’t exist.
• Learning #2 Dragon Dictation is not adequate for writing emails.. must find other useful voice controlled apps.
• Learning #3 You might not succeed in the ventures you undertake, but as long as you take something from that experience, you'll have gained.
• Learning #4 Anything is possible, and whilst it may be unlikely that you'll know how far the idea will spread, you might be surprised (e.g Dave's street poetry and Custom t-shirt ideas)
• Learning #5 - You can use commuting time to track and record data using voice memos (it's rudimentary - but doable)
• Learning #6 - Self help tapes are perfect for commuting time - learning a new language would be a fantastic use of commuting time

This week I interviewed Clock's CEO Syd Nadim and this is what he had to say:

[audio src="http://blog.clock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/CommutingPodcast3-SydNadim_20110715080038.mp3"]

Alternatively, listen via ipadio or itunes:

http://www.ipadio.com/phlogs/RobArnold

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/commuting-podcast/id447751425

I really enjoyed what he had to say, and a completely different use of time from the other 2 interviewees; Dave Birss and Vincent Iweka.

Syd likes to use the time to catch up with phone calls to friends, and where possible watch TED videos on the train - as well as immersing himself in current affairs. I too love TED videos, and have previously listened to the audio tracks via my iphone. One annoying thing about the audio is that sometimes the TED speaker references diagrams and infograms which is totally lost on a listener, but TED is a perfect application for Train commutes.

• Learning #7 TED and other interesting lecture sites can be the perfect antidote to a long commute (rather than the seemingly repetitive radio stations)

I do believe that following this interview, I should take a leaf out of "Syd's book" and use the time to catch up with more people (maybe even interview them?!).

The other task I set myself this week was to review another app, and a perfect candidate seemed to be Skobbler (Satellite Navigation)

For a free app, it is absolutely fantastic - the team have done a really good job. I used to have a Tom Tom until it broke, and I was really impressed with how this free application compares. The GUI is easy to use, and more importantly it hasn't let me down with directions (yet). I thoroughly recommend it.

• Learning #8 Skobbler (on the iPhone) really is a suitable alternative to other paid sat nav products

On top of this, I believe it has opened my eyes to the OpenStreetMap project which I believe could be very useful for future web site and app developments.

If you have any apps that you think would be a good thing to use during commuting time, please get in contact (using comments below).

More interviews, learnings and ideas in a couple of weeks :)