Asking for a Friend - Simple Software

I have a friend who lives a distance from me so I will not be able to help her in person.  She needs to record some poetry and podcasts.
 
I know there are USB mics for podcasters in the $50 to $100 range, but what would be the best simple software to record her voice?  Sound Recorder is built into PCs, but is there something a little better that will save the recording as a WAV or mp3?
 
I want her to be able to plug in the mic, open the software, hit record, read her poem, and save. Punch in and editing is fine, but not needed and probably a distraction.  We're going for super simple but decent quality.  She is a smart lady but not an engineer or computer geek.
 
Thoughts?
 
Thank you.
 
 

Audacity will work but she'll probably need help getting the audio setup. But once it's set then it's just start it up, hit record, read the poem, hit stop. Hit File>export.
 
Smart phones would work, too. She could then email it to wherever.

Konrad
I have one of those cheap Zoom handy recorders that I use for things like this - works fine and is cheap and easy!
Nigel
 

AT
...if it was me, I'd get a TASCAM digital hand recorder or something like that.
I bought a $50 TASCAM that would be great for that function - it is kinda what it was designed for.

Cactus Music
+1 to buying a handy recorder. That solves all the issues at once.
1- Anyone can figure them out push the red button,
2- They have excellent mikes so there's the cost paid for right there. You'll pay the same for a USB mike. 
3- Some like my DR 40 are 4 track so you can even overdub say music.
4- You easily dump them to your computer with drag and drop or import. Mine you can use the cable or just pull the SD card. 

konradh - I have a Tascam DR-40 and it's way too complicated for your friend. I've been recording for 50 years and I still get tangled up in its menus, and God help you if you do multiple takes and are looking for the right one. On the other hand, if there is a 50-dollar version or a different brand for less money I'd totally vote for that over any computer-based solution. It seems like the right idea for what your friend wants to do, and a low-cost one would not have all the "pro" complications of the DR-40. I will say the sound quality is excellent, and I expect someone to release a commercial recording any day made entirely on one of these devices (if it hasn't already happened).

The Zoom H1 looks pretty easy to use.  Anyone use this?

I mentioned my DR 40 as an example only, For most people the 2 track recorders are a lot cheaper and that much easier to operate. But that said, I often lend my DR 40 to my wife when she goes to conferences and she's never had a problem recording with the mikes. Hit the record 2x. Once you configure it it remains staatic, I rarley have to go into the menues. But they are no different than a digital cameras menu, set the date etc. The DR40 is a bit more complex because you have the differnt recording options but there's a dedicated button for that. 
I like the fact it uses a full size SD card. Most use the micro SD which don't hold as much data. 
I bought my band mate friend the TAscam DR 05 for $75 and it's all you really need. 
I think the Zoom and Tascams are very close but it's worth while to compair features. 
 
USB buss power? 
SD card?
Overdub?
Full size headphone jack? 
Movable mike possition ?
XLR or mini jack aux inputs? 
 
 
And a note about editing. I dump my files into Wave Lab where I top and tail and normalize. You generally won't want to record to hot to avoid clipping. SO some sort of editing will be needed, mostly normalizing.. never had to deal with noise ever, they record real clean unless your in a noisy room. 

This is pretty cool. i bought one for when i have idea's. It records very good. It has a surprisingly powerful microphone. Record and put in a USB port. Check it out.
 
USB Flash Drive Voice & Audio Recorder - 4GB
 
http://www.pulsetv.com/USB-Flash-Drive-Voice-Audio-Recorder-4GB/productinfo/6165/
 
this is the correct link above.
 
 
 
 

For the money those they make for dictating are not very good quality, I tried one of the $40 devices.. The mikes are bad and they have Auto leveling which on the one I tried could not be shut off. I was going to buy it for my wife to use, but it's like night and day the quality you get on a $80 Zoom or Tascam. I think the one I demoed was a Philips. You'll get the same as those using your cell phone. 
 
Here's a pretty good overview of the ones made for music. 
http://www.wirerealm.com/guides/top-10-best-portable-recorders
 

The thread kinda went off sidewaays but in a way the quesion might have been what is a simple "set up" for recording voice for a pod cast. 
Konrad mentioned a USB mike will be needed etc. so we are also taking most cost effective hardware and software becuase you really need both. 
I pick a Handy recorder over a USB mike because of the quality and convenience. Also they will maintain value for re sale.
 
You might as well talk into your laptops mike as to use many cheap quality USB mikes. And then you might as well purchase a whole USB interface XLR mike etc than spend too much on a USB mike. 
 
I'm sure many just use cheap headset mikes plugged into the mini jack.