If you can get a seat you should be able to pull a laptop out and be productive, netbook 10" form factors are perfect for this. If you can't get a seat, is it p

If you can get a seat you should be able to pull a laptop out and be productive, netbook 10" form factors are perfect for this. If you can't get a seat, is it possible to adjust hours to less crowded times? Last time I had a long commute I would start at 8AM or 10AM, nothing in between. How about writing planning and documentation? This is often building the outline and just getting words down, you can come back and look up specifics later and the distraction free environment can help. Write the sort of documentation that helps you be productive at other times. Get an RSS reader that caches articles, that can replace a lot of HN and without the internet connection you won't have the time suck of comments. Alternatively, don't be productive, just keep yourself entertained.