1. Install Duolingo on your phone
2. Change your phone's microphone default language to Spanish
3. Practice by dictating spanish directly to your phone without typing
Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
61–70 of 116 posts
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#62I know a group of colleagues who used to car pool and discuss about IT related topics from their previous experiences.
A group of 3-4 like minded people on a conference call would be a good way to share topics about what you know and learn from others.
This may work best while in cars (as opposed to when using public transit)
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#63I suggest leveraging the meditative process driving has on the brain. I went through a process where I was trying to be extremely productive every minute of every day. That meant filling every minute with productive tasks including commute time with Podcasts and educational material. But you get into this productivity loop without any real productivity. In the end I found the best use of my drive time is just relax a…
I started doing this and began feeling a lot less stressed. It's helped a lot with my general well-being.
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#64Focus on driving, you could kill someone.
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#65Earlier quoted context omitted.
3 hours by car is likely minimum 60 miles which is 4 hours by bike every single day minimum. If they're getting to highway speeds at all then it's even worse. It'd be like black mirror episode 2 every day
Unless a big portion of those 3 hours are spent in traffic jams, then bike could be an option, or at least an e-bike.
Other than it was stated that he lives quite far from work.
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#66I love the FaiF podcast for this:
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#67I've tried listening to university lectures and varies conferences talks. But, I find them distracting on the road. I've found, consuming really technical stuff to be much easier. When I can give it my full attention. Personally, I like to listen to podcasts that cover new and upcoming technologies in the field. They could be about high level stuff or even the nitty and gritty, like new language syntax or upcoming im…
What are some of your favorite more technical podcasts?
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
No, you're correct; I ought to just knuckle under and spend the money, if I want to consume from Audible. But I picked up the current MP3 player on a flier, and have become used to it - it does what I want it to, in a very simple and straight-forward way. The content that I've spent money on already dwarfs the purchase of the player. Although that content is DRM-free, so I am free to use it on this player, or any of…
I believe the selection is smaller but there is also Downpour [0]. DRM-free which means you should be just fine playing on your MP3 Player. The cost is comparable to Audible ($13/mo instead of $15/mo) and you get much the same deal: 1 audio-book per month with the "credit" you get. [0] http://www.downpour.com/
Hadn't heard of this! Thanks for the link. I wonder what their business model is like. It looks like they've been around for at least 3 years, so that's a positive sign that they're doing something right.
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#69I suggest leveraging the meditative process driving has on the brain. I went through a process where I was trying to be extremely productive every minute of every day. That meant filling every minute with productive tasks including commute time with Podcasts and educational material. But you get into this productivity loop without any real productivity. In the end I found the best use of my drive time is just relax a…
I listen to podcasts I enjoy, not necessarily educational ones. I find that relaxing.
We shouldn't underestimate the subconscious stress driving causes. Even in low traffic driving uses a lot of energy.
Re: Ask HN: As a developer, how can I take advantage of time spent driving to work?
#70Relax and clear your head. Listen to some music, audio books.
In my experience, audiobooks are excellent for wide open freeway miles, and much less beneficial in traffic. One small event(close call) becomes an attention tangent and I miss last 10 or more seconds of content. Which leads to fiddling to scan back which becomes a distraction/irritation.
Try driving in silence. It allows me to process yesterday and anticipate the coming day.