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.
 
 

These sites might help:
 
http://podcaststarter.com/
 
https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-starter-kit/
 

Cake's Momentum will be out soon, which ought to fit the need.  But if it was me, I'd get a TASCAM digital hand recorder or something like that.  Turn it on, read into it, and then dump your files as WAVs to the computer and send it on.  Better sound quality than most USB mics (that might be an "old" fact) and a hell of a lot simpler than a newbie trying to get a USB mic to talk to a computer program.  I bought a $50 TASCAM that would be great for that function - it is kinda what it was designed for.

Audacity?

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.

Thanks, guys.

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
 

+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. 
 
You would still want to use Audacity or Gold Wave to edit. 
Gold Wave is free to try and only $50 for a lifetime purchase. It's my go to for simple editing. 
For $100 you can buy Wave Lab elements but that's overly complicated. 
Sony Sound forge is also easy to use. 

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).

Good feedback as always, Sonar people!  Thank you.