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PSP Browser Tips

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the bite-sized-slashdot dept.

ZOverLord writes "Onlytherightanswers.com has a great guide on how to use all the possible features available in the PSP Browser and shows how to save and copy files, transfer files without a USB cable, and limit Out Of Memory errors."

52 of 92 comments (clear)

  1. Bloat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Seriously, why would Paint Shop Pro need a friggin' web browser feature?

  2. dead??? by spect3r · · Score: 1, Informative

    onlytherightanswers.com link dead

    --
    The beatings will continue until Morale Improves!
  3. That was probably by MC68040 · · Score: 4, Funny

    the quickest case of the slashdot effect I've seen, did the server just run and hide or?

    1. Re:That was probably by Drey · · Score: 2, Funny

      I believe the server was a homebrew app running on an unpatched 1.0 PSP.

    2. Re:That was probably by minus_273 · · Score: 1

      the obligatory reply submitter should have used coral cache (is it even possible here?)

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
  4. Don't use it? by TheBrakShow · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is one of their hints: "Don't use the psp browser." ?

    1. Re:Don't use it? by TheBrakShow · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Sorry, I wasn't meaning that as a troll. I was just joking.
      But seriously, what are people actually using the psp browser for? I find that whenever I'm somewhere that has a wireless access point I am near a pc or laptop anyway. I doubt anybody who has used the psp browser would use it over something with a keyboard. I still love my psp but I don't know that I'll be using the browser feature that much unless I'm somewhere with no computers that also happens to have wifi access.

    2. Re:Don't use it? by Ravadill · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's a nice bonus for those of us who don't own a laptop (or carry one around all day.) There's a whole range of free wifi points around the city here, and while I won't say it's an amazingly useful feature, but it's a nice bonus to be able to check webmail ect. while waiting for the bus/train/sitting in a cafe.

    3. Re:Don't use it? by jkerman · · Score: 1

      I am currently trialing it with a few bar owners who purchaced IP video systems from us. the owner can keep tabs on the properties he isnt physicly at.

      no keyboard needed. just bookmarks. and the owners can even "right click->save as" the images too. neat-o

      for $200 used the PSP is one of the finest portable browsers ive ever seen.

    4. Re:Don't use it? by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 1
      But seriously, what are people actually using the psp browser for? I find that whenever I'm somewhere that has a wireless access point I am near a pc or laptop anyway. I doubt anybody who has used the psp browser would use it over something with a keyboard. I still love my psp but I don't know that I'll be using the browser feature that much unless I'm somewhere with no computers that also happens to have wifi access.

      It's great if you are meeting someone who is running late, or you are on the bus in a city area. You can check slashdot or gmail and just 'hop' along. Not great for extended browsing (and terrible for typing) but its been really nice to have on you. This is where the PSP shines - if you are not sure how you would like to kill your time yet, you have options (watch a movie, watch tv, listen to MP3s, play a game, browsing - in one unit).

      --
      If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
    5. Re:Don't use it? by twosmokes · · Score: 1

      The PSP browser makes those extended bathroom brakes much more educational.

    6. Re:Don't use it? by SkyWalk423 · · Score: 1

      How fast have you gone in your bathroom? I'm afraid to get mine up over 30... with the toilet sitting that low to the ground it seems pretty fast, and I'm not sure if I trust MY bathroom brakes.

  5. I HAVE A TIP... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Don't upgrade to 2.0 and lose your ability to play homebrew/backups!

    1. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by TommyBear · · Score: 5, Informative

      As one of the authors of ScummVM-PSP, I can tell you this much; I'm totally annoyed by Sony's insistance to try and shut down homebrew stuff on the PSP by introducing *fixes* in their firmware updates.

      I would love to install the browser, but sorry Sony, I'd like to keep developing HB stuff for the community :( (note that my stuff is developed using the "legal" open source SDK)

    2. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by TommyBear · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because it is a very gray area. "Legal" is relative to how many lawyers you have and how much you pay them. I believe it's legal. It doesn't using any of Sony's proprietry libraries and uses a custom build gcc compiler for mips 4k (all available from www.ps2dev.org btw). But then I'm not a lawyer and who knows, one day Sony may well swing it's tail back around and crush whatever is left of HomeBrew Town.

    3. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You idiot, everyone knows that once you buy it to pull out the small ticking thing.

    4. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by mikataur · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, web browsing, AAC and H.264 support is good, but Sony didn't HAVE to break homebrew software to support them.

      Having both could have been good for the platform, instead of pushing the homebrewers into the same camp as the pirates, who will have worked out a way of patching 2.0 soon enough anyway.

      Anyway, enjoy your PSPs - you're lucky to have a wife who likes the same toys as you!

    5. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by TommyBear · · Score: 1

      I meant on the PSP. Hence I said Sony. Unless Sony have a stake in the DS? Didn't think so. Sony are slowly crushing HB under the weight of firmware upgrades and requirements for future games to run under a particular firmware version.

    6. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by sabernet · · Score: 1

      I have a PSP, I have firmware 1.5 and no plans to upgrade until an exploit is found for 2.X

      However, I see why sony is doing this: if you can develope homebrew, you can create ISO loaders.

      What I can't see is their current heavy handed lawsuit approach towards game importers. They remove regions as a "feature" yet they sue and attempt to shut down the very stores that are providing the services this feature takes advantage of.

      Sony has always been dick-ish, however. Keep in mind they are both a member of the RIAA and MPAA.

    7. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      I'd rather upgrade to 2.0 and have a functioning web browser, AAC, and H.264 support than be able to run crappy home-made programs and support pirates.

      "Support pirates"? Unless you're sending pirates money or free software, you're not supporting pirates by running homebrew applications. Perhaps you meant "supporting terrorists."

    8. Re:I HAVE A TIP... by TechniMyoko · · Score: 1
      As one of the authors of ScummVM-PSP

      As one of the users of ScummVM-PSP, I love you man *hugs* Portable Sam and Max, *tears up*

  6. The REAL psp browser tips: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative
    1. Just buy a PDA. It's what you really want, it doesn't cost much more, and things like web browsers and emulators work great on it without requiring elaborate tricks and maneuvers to keep your firmware in a perpetually hacked state.
    1. Re:The REAL psp browser tips: by XretsiMisterX · · Score: 1

      Actually, what I really want is to be able to play modern top-notch portable games like Hot Shots Golf and Wipeout Pure and do various kinds of portable computing without having to carry two devices.

      The PSP is great at the games, and offers some of the computing. If Sony didn't keep thwarting the homebrew apps, it would probably be the best solution.

      Most PDAs, on the other hand, don't support modern games, and my appetite for emulated older games, while real, is not that big.

      --
      Glenn Loos-Austin
      UI Designer at Epic
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/junkchest/
    2. Re:The REAL psp browser tips: by rAiNsT0rm · · Score: 1

      Amen Brotha. The PSP is a kludge of barely useful features and a piss-poor library of games. My trusty PDA can play any emulated games, ebooks, browse the web, etc. with no mods and no effort. The PSP is a square peg being continually shoved into a round hole unsuccessfully. Please let it die with the Ngage, neither is going to go anywhere anytime soon.

      I'm all for convergence, but not when it comes at the price of sanity. The whole because you can thing was cool when it was a hack, but now that it is released by Sony and cripples other "features" it really isn't impressive.

      --
      http://teasphere.wordpress.com - A little spot of tea
    3. Re:The REAL psp browser tips: by TechniMyoko · · Score: 1
      it doesn't cost much more

      Yes it does. Cause Id still need to buy a PSP. Now isntead of a PSP, its a PSP and a PDA.

  7. Mirrordot by NotWorkSafe · · Score: 5, Informative

    Mirrordot has it up.
    http://mirrordot.org/stories/dafd4186af6825479246e 940f33fe315/index.html

    --
    There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
  8. Re:Fun games? by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1, Funny

    > What the hell, Sony, where are the games?

    Maybe.... Here?

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  9. Unfortunately by aicrules · · Score: 4, Funny

    the site is hosted on a PSP which, while great at portable gaming performance, just doesn't stand up to enterprise server requirements.

  10. Article text by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Secrets Of The PSP Web Browser

    There may be many questions, and please just post comments if you want some good answers.

    None of the Examples below will apply to trying this on a PC, they apply to the PSP browser.

    First, we need to use this in our examples, so lets get that out of the way.

    On your PSP enter the following web site:

    http://testing.onlytherightanswers.com/pspkey2.htm

    Now wait for this to load and when finished continue.

    Many people do not understand how the PSP browser windows function, in fact, many people constantly re-load pages that are already in the browser memory, we will show you how to see if a page is in browser memory or not and many other things in this thread.

    Using the Virtual keyboard type the word "browser" without the quotes and then click on the Google button.

    This may or may not prompt you asking if you wish to open a new page, you will get prompted ONLY if you have other pages already taking up all your browsers tabs ("windows") you then would have a choice of using one of the currently open brower tabs ("windows") to open your new page.

    If you had a unused browser tab ("window") you would not be prompted and the page would simply open.

    If prompted pick one of your currently open tabs ("windows")

    Now, you will notice that the Google search page is being currently displayed, and that the Virtual Keyboard and Browser seems gone at the moment.

    This is Not true, Simply hold down your SQUARE key and use your left or right clear plastic key while still holding down your SQUARE key. You will see the Virtual Keyboard and Browser, if you do it again, you will see the Google page.

    What's Happening?

    Holding down the SQUARE key and using the clear plastic Keys allows you to Change tabs ("windows") so that you can have multiple windows open at the same time.

    Now lets try something else. Again, Holding down the SQUARE key and using one of your clear plastic keys on the top of the PSP display the Virtual Keyboard and Browser.

    On the Virtual Keyboard and Browser keyboard, click the clear button, the text that was there the word "browser" should be gone now.

    Enter using the Virtual Keyboard and Browser http://msn.com/ without the quotes ("Note: There are quick buttons that will type the http:/// and the .com on the Virtual Keyboard and Browser so that you do not need to type this all.

    Click the GO! button. You may or may not be prompted to open a new page, if you are and are given a list do NOT replace the Virtual Keyboard and Browser or the Google tab ("window") choose any other.

    Now you will see MSN.com, But, both the Google Search and the Virtual Keyboard and Browser tabs are still there.

    How do I get back to then?

    Simple, do the same thing, hold down the SQUARE key and then use one of the clear plastic keys to get back to the Google search page or the Virtual Keyboard and browser page.

    How do I REMOVE a tab ("window") from my browser memory?

    OK, Use the SQUARE key and one of the clear plastic keys to get to the Google search page.

    Once the Google search page is displayed click your TRIANGLE button, this will invoke the PSP Browser Toolbars. Using The TRIANGLE button again will close the PSP browser toolbars.

    The Toolbar on top displays the web site address and the title of that web page.

    The Toolbar on the bottom allows you to do many things, we will explore them all.

    Once you have clicked your TRIANGLE key and have the PSP Browser toolbars displaying with the Google search page displaying as well, use your left arrow to go all the way to the left you will see the word "File" displayed.

    Now, click on the File Icon, and you will see a menu, choose "Close Page", you will see that the top PSP Browser toolbar is now empty and that the page is BLANK.

  11. They are called tabs just tabs damnit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    WTF?!? For some reason the author feels the need to note "("windows")" every time he/she mentions Browser Tabs...

    1. Re:They are called tabs just tabs damnit! by redwoodtree · · Score: 1

      Most of the PSP user base are completely computer illiterate , therefore, the author of the document is making it painfully easy for them to understand.

      Actually, it's an interesting phenomenon, but it seems that computers have become so easy to use that most kids these days are not power users. Used to be back in the day you had to be a hacker to use a computer, not so. It will be interesting as these people enter the workforce... ... but i digress.

      Nojan

    2. Re:They are called tabs just tabs damnit! by dotdan · · Score: 1, Insightful

      If they can use a Word Processor, chances are they'll do fine.
       
      Honestly, what more do you need to know to run a computer? Someone working at Target *grin* isn't going to have to be able to argue whether Internet Explorer's CSS2 rendering is bad or not.

  12. Re:Fun games? by coop0030 · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Sure, there may be 80 half-assed games.

    Take a look at the reviews on IGN.

    http://psp.ign.com/reviews/

    I don't see too many decent games in there.

    Considering most people do shop at Best Buy for their games, along with Amazon; I'm not impressed with their selection.

    Admit it, most of the PSP games out right now are just rehashed PS2 games that are not designed for handheld play...

  13. video issues by frankmu · · Score: 4, Interesting

    has anyone have any playback issues with the new update? i have no problems with video downloaded from Sony. i do have issues with the videos using ffmpeg. here's the setting i used: ffmpeg -i sourcemovie.avi -f psp -r 14.985 -s 320x240 -b 768 -ar 24000 -ab 32 M4V00002.MP4 (from pspnuts.com)

    --
    Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
    1. Re:video issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      you forgot these two options:
      -vcodec mpeg4 -acodec acc
      (use mpeg4 for video codec and acc for audio codec) (maybe try also adding -bitexact option)

    2. Re:video issues by frankmu · · Score: 1

      cool, i'll give it a try. this must be the first helpful reply i got on slashdot!

      --
      Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
  14. Re:Nice broad spectrum statement there... by utnow · · Score: 1, Informative

    I think the implication is that 10 years ago a user who wanted to do most anything HAD to have some understanding of command prompts, memory, drivers, INI files, and had the ability to trick it all into doing what you intended for it to do (connecting to the internet back in the mosaic/win3.1/modem days for example).

    In today's world users expect (and rightfully so) that they not be required to understand all of these things in order to research a school project, investigate a company's financial history, type it all up and print it. Generally we don't want the computer to be the work, we want it to be the tool that we use to accomplish the work, much like we shouldn't have to understand how to extract and forge steel into a hammer to build a house.

    For these reasons, yes, kids today understand how to use computers and you might call them skilled in it. But computers expect less of their users. The power-users who understand and apply regularly their understanding of interrupts, console-based computing, and the like make up a very small portion of the computing universe (which make up a large-ish percent of /.)

  15. Re:Fun games? by Reaperducer · · Score: 1

    Admit it, most of the PSP games out right now are just rehashed PS2 games that are not designed for handheld play.

    Well, on this point you probably know a lot more than I do. I'm not a gamer. I hadn't played a video game since my Lynx maybe five or ten years before I got my PSPs. I'm afraid I don't know if these are retreads of PS2 games because I never had a PS1 or PS2, so as they say, "It's new to me!" I bought a PSP instead of a PS2 because I want something small, neat, and without wires.

    I have about ten games in my library, and I like all of them except for Metal Gear Acid. I think they're all pretty well done.

    --
    -- I'm old enough to have lived through six different meanings of the word "hacker."
  16. Re:Fun games? by Reaperducer · · Score: 1

    By the way: nice web site (your gadget site).

    --
    -- I'm old enough to have lived through six different meanings of the word "hacker."
  17. Re:Nice broad spectrum statement there... by redwoodtree · · Score: 1

    Thank you for clarifying what I didn't have the patience to write up, utnow.

    The "metric" I'm using in this case is the PSP message forum on Sony's own site. There are oodles of newbie messages such as "what's a router" and "how do I configure wifi" posted by people that are obviously otherwise quite adept that using computers.

    Further, the other metric I'm using are reports by teachers and administrators in schools that have switched to laptops instead of textbooks. A report on NPR last week touched on the topic that a high school teacher that has switched to all laptops had to spend quite a bit of time teaching students how to administer the laptops, much to his surprise.

    I'm not bashing kids and don't call me a crotchety old man, I'm just citing relevant experiences of late.

  18. ot: windows 95 on the PSP by leckmi · · Score: 2, Interesting

    dont know if it was here already... israeli guy MATAN GILLON ported BOCHS to the PSP and succesfully installed windows 95 on it. read his page about it: http://windows95-on-sony-psp.dr.ag/ anyway it takes 10 minutes to boot if you really need your minesweeper-fix on the go.

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    1. Re:ot: windows 95 on the PSP by UNFAIRMAN · · Score: 1

      For minesweeper on the PSP, Mac, or anything non-MS that supports javascript, use the version at http://home.comcast.net/~sheppoor/minesweeper/mine sweeper.html. It is being inclueded in a few off-line PSP packages. Too bad the PSP browser doesn't have a right click :(

    2. Re:ot: windows 95 on the PSP by leckmi · · Score: 1

      very nice faq 2

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  19. My PSP hates WPA by Jackie_Chan_Fan · · Score: 1

    For some reason my PSP just hates WPA security. It will "test connection" over and over in some wierd cyclical loop.

    If i turn off WPA on my router and PSP... and go wide open balls to the neighborhood, the PSP connects just fine.

  20. Useless by swtaarrs · · Score: 2, Informative

    This article is just a reworded copy of the built-in help for the browser. All of the 'tips' in the article are available within the browser itself.

  21. Here is the GUIDE! by ZOverLord · · Score: 1

    For the Moment we are upgrading out server due to the load from here, so PLEASE go here: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/ message?board.id=pspnet&message.id=56036

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    Black Gray White Hats Unite to protect http://testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com
  22. Of course people still buy them by raitchison · · Score: 1

    Comnpanies will continue to make products with restrictions and implement policies/tactics like this because they still sell.

    If nobody bought PSPs because they don't let you run himebrew code or nobody bought DRM'd music the companies would be forced to change their policies.

    The desire to avoid an endless cat & mouse game with Sony to run whatever software I want on the hardware I bought, along with their use of the effectvly poprietary and therefore outrageously espnesive Memory Stick are the main reasons I don't own a PSP today.

  23. I didn't know Paint shop pro had a browser? by freaker_TuC · · Score: 1, Redundant


    (smile you are on candid camera)

    --
    --- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
  24. MOD PARENT INSIGHTFUL by muyuubyou · · Score: 1

    How is this a troll? The PSP is cumbersome for what some people are trying to do. If your time is worth more than 1$/h, buy a PDA and save.

  25. PSP Updates by ekibohc · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't know how many of you have heard this already, maybe it was posted on this site(i'm new). But there are rumors that the firmware 1.5 (my current, i love the homebrew :P) was intentionally 'bugged' to attract the homebrew section of gamers. And was easily 'fixed' once they had reeled them in. Even if it was an accident, i still think they should allow homebrew. Either way, i think that its unfair and it's one of the reasons i chose the PSP over the DS (maybe their plan worked?) But the point is, DONT UPDATE! Its true that sony may be forcing games to update the firmware to 2.0, but i just wont buy those games. Any more information would be great. Ekib

  26. There is such a thing as a Homebrew Web Browser by Busshy · · Score: 1

    It was made to browse the 2ch BBS but its been edited and used to browse normal websites, its still a bit of a WIP as far as a fully featured Web Browser but anythings better than nothing, PSP Emulation News has it for download : http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/2chwebbrowser.shtml

  27. Our other PSP Tools Are Here by ZOverLord · · Score: 1

    ONLINE PSP Portal: http://testing.onlytherightanswers.com/winportal.h tml And the Virtual Keyboards and Browsers: http://testing.onlytherightanswers.com/modules.php ?name=News&file=article&sid=27 Thanks Sorry, we got SWAMPED by the initial Hits from Slashdot, so you can now get to the Original link as well: http://testing.onlytherightanswers.com/modules.php ?name=News&file=article&sid=29

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