Dark Ipod

It’s technology news with a twist that’s tailored for cops.

And it’s hosted by a University of Virginia fourth-year student.

It’s an unlikely combination, but Ricky Schumaker, 21, is proving that he has what it takes to shed a little light on emerging technology, an area that sometimes leaves police in the dark.

He hosts “Tech Talk” segments on CopCAST, a weekly podcast about criminal justice issues. The segments are co-hosted by Schumaker’s father, Rich, and Steve Ferguson, a deputy with the Salem Sheriff’s Office. Although the podcast is based in Salem, the father and son’s hometown, 600 users from across the world in September downloaded the weekly shows from CopCAST.net.

“We’ve had really great success,” said Rich Schumaker, 48, who, in addition to his duties at CopCAST, is director of the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy.

Podcasting, a relatively new way of publishing audio files via the Internet, allows users to subscribe to particular feeds or shows that are automatically downloaded - usually in MP3 file format - to a computer or portable listening device when a site posts a new episode or item.

“It’s the next step,” said Sean Tubbs, producer of the Charlottesville Podcasting Network. “It’s something that’s gone from one to a hundred in a year. It’s taken off.”

The technology gets its name from the iPod, the wildly successful portable digital music player from Apple Computer. The device is not needed to listen to a podcast.

A “hot seat” guest joins Rich Schumaker and Ferguson each week to discuss current criminal justice news and issues. The pair ultimately wants CopCAST to morph into a vehicle for training law enforcement officials.

Devices like the iPod will allow users to multi-task and “train on demand,” Rich Schumaker said. For example, he said, a police officer could download a lesson onto his iPod and listen to it while mowing the lawn. Later, the officer could take an online quiz.Ricky Schumaker’s contributions to the podcast round off CopCAST’s current offerings, Rich Schumaker said. His segments will “bring those guys who are kind of lagging a little bit [in computer knowledge] by giving them a piece of information each week to add to their growing body of information about computers,” he said.

“Tech Talk” is “right up [Ricky’s] alley,” Rich Schumaker said.

Ricky Schumaker, whose interests at UVa include Spanish, education and computer science, delivers the three-to-five-minute “Tech Talk,” which explores what’s hot in the technology world and provides listeners with practical computer tips.

“With the ‘Tech Talk,’ I can combine my interest in education and my interest in computers,” Ricky Schumaker said.

The topics he’s discussed during the past few podcasts include how to download and install iTunes, setting up an online address book, and keyboard shortcuts. He has peppered “Tech Talk” with news tidbits, such as Motorola’s release of a phone that is equipped with iTunes.

One of the benefits of any podcast, he said, is having the freedom to talk about anything and address diverse interests. As far as the Schumakers know, this is the only podcast targeted to a law enforcement audience.

Podcasting could greatly impact people’s lives, Tubbs added.

Podcasting, he said, “shows tremendous promise for democracy. If it helps get people more information to make decisions on anything, it’s a good tool.”