Not really PhD related, but on the side, I'm doing a part time language course. I'd like to be able to record me reading out the vocab, encode it as an mp3, and then listen to it on my ipod when I get a spare few minutes. Can I do this with just a mic (internal) and something like Windows Media Player or itunes? Or will I need special software?

you can easily do it with a digitical dictaphone or if you're by your PC you can plug a mike in and record it - I'm sure a range of programmes do this. You could also use your iphone if you have one.