From the newsroom: Check out T-D podcasts

You can take it with you.

Podcasts allow readers on the go to download our online shows on entertainment, sports, politics, current events, and commentary and view them at any time or place on a laptop, netbook, smart phone, or portable media player.

If you're saying, "What's a podcast?" you're not alone: The majority of Americans haven't heard of podcasting, according to a recent report by Arbitron and Edison Research. But why not join the 22 percent of Americans who do listen to podcasts for fun and information? Read on!

Podcasts are like talk shows -- only you don't tune to a station, you subscribe using a computer program called a podcatcher. The ubiquitous iPod, from which "podcast" gets its name, is probably the most popular media player in use.

But the iPod is nothing without its software, iTunes -- the Swiss army knife of media players. You can use it to organize your personal music and media files. iTunes also provides a directory to podcasts from all over the world, including the seven we produce regularly here at the

Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Six of our podcasts are videos, one is audio. Simply search in the top right corner of iTunes for "Times-Dispatch" or look for the individual shows listed below.

On iTunes, you will see the podcast, a description, a picture, and a list of recent episodes. You can click the "subscribe" button to save a podcast in your personal library. You can set iTunes to automatically download each new podcast as it is released. Other media players come with similar software.

You'll need a current version of Quicktime Player or iTunes to view our video podcasts on your computer. You can download both for free from Apple.com. You can watch them on the road with a video-compatible iPod. Any mp3 player will play our audio podcast.

Here's what we have in store:

• Have a laugh at columnist Paul Woody's expense. He asks for it with his tongue-in-cheek sports commentary in a weekly podcast called "The World of Woody."

• Veteran reporter and columnist Jeff E. Schapiro offers his unique political perspective on "Jeff's Notes on Virginia."

• NASCAR fans will love "R&R Racing," where reporter Ralph Paulk and sports page designer Chris Wilbers interview drivers and fans while debating racing controversies.

• "Mike's Take" features metro columnist Michael Paul Williams, who tackles hot-button issues around the Richmond region, from race relations to bureaucratic incompetence.

• Looking for entertainment options? Pop-culture writer Melissa Ruggieri tells you what's worth seeing, hearing, and doing in "Weekend."

• Want an expert opinion on a topical issue in less time than it takes to read this article? We've got "60 seconds with . . . " a new guest commentator each week.

• Last but certainly not least, we've got "Two Richmond Idiots," with co-hosts Bart Hinkle, The Times-Dispatch's deputy Editorial Page editor, and Cordel Faulk of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. They discuss current events on the national, state, and local levels.

Our podcasts are indexed on our Web site, TimesDispatch.com. Just do a keyword search for "podcasts" or click the podcasts link under Special Reports & More on the left side of the home page to open a complete list.

You can subscribe via iTunes or see individual episodes by clicking the show name or logo. If you use an RSS feed reader or podcatcher, you can copy the RSS feed for the podcast you want from our podcast page and never miss an episode.

We hope you like what you see and come back for more. If you have a suggestion for improvements or a new show, please let us know.

Contact multimedia reporter Chris I. Young at (804) 649-6754 or .