-------------------------------------------------------------- *** PHANTASY STAR ONLINE EPISODE 1 & 2 *** SNAPSHOTS FAQ *** | -------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: | Chris Dekker | Email: | chris_dekker@shaw.ca | ------------------------------------- ----------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- 1) FAQ History 2) What is a snapshot? 3) How do I take a snapshot? 4) How do I manipulate snapshots? 5) How can I upload snapshots? a) Downloading PSO Proxy b) Setting up PSO Proxy c) Using PSO Proxy d) Setting up a simple network 6) Closing/legal stuff -------------- 1) FAQ HISTORY -------------- VERSION 1.00 - APRIL 18, 2003: This is the first version of the FAQ. All basic information about snapshots is included, plus information about how to use the new PSO Proxy program to upload snapshots. ---------------------- 2) WHAT IS A SNAPSHOT? ---------------------- A snapshot is an image of something seen on your screen while playing Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2. A snapshot is a great way to capture exciting moment s like hitting level 200 or finding a rare monster. You could take snapshot of an amazing weapon you find and show it to all your friends. The possibilities are endless. An example of a snapshot can be found here: http://members.shaw.ca/chris_dekker/snapshot.jpg ---------------------------- 3) HOW DO I TAKE A SNAPSHOT? ---------------------------- Before you're ready to take a snapshot, you need two things. The first is a controller plugged into controller port 4. This should be a different controller from the one that you are using to control the game. In other words, have a controller in ports 1 and 4. Now, you need a memory card in slot B with 18 free blocks on it. These blocks will be used to create your snapshot file. Now you're ready to take snapshots! To take a snapshot, hold down the L button on the controller in port 4. You'll see a little viewfinder on the screen. To take a snapshot, press the A button on the controller in port 4. When it asks you if you want to keep the picture, hit A again. --------------------------------- 4) HOW DO I MANIPULATE SNAPSHOTS? --------------------------------- You can manipulate snapshots in a variety of ways. This is done by pressing different buttons while using the viewfinder. You can move the viewfinder around the screen by using the C stick on the controller in port 4. You can even take zoomed-in shots by holding R (while still holding L) on the controller in port 4. While in zoomed-in mode, use the Control Stick to move the camera around even more. ----------------------------- 5) HOW DO I UPLOAD SNAPSHOTS? ----------------------------- Uploading snapshots used to be restricted to the Japanese PSO players. Their versions of PSO have a service that's built in, called Visual BBS, which allows them to upload snapshots easily. This isn't possible in North America. However, using a new program called PSO Proxy, created by the guys at SourceForge.net, you can now upload your snapshots in North America -- if you connect to the Internet using the GameCube's Broadband Adapter. ------------------------ A) DOWNLOADING PSO PROXY ------------------------ To download PSO Proxy, go to this site: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/psoproxy/psoproxy-0.9-bin.zip?download When you are prompted to save or open the file, select "Save". To open this file after you've downloaded it, you'll need WinZip, which you can find here: http://winzip.com/ddchomea.htm ----------------------- B) SETTING UP PSO PROXY ----------------------- For instructions on how to set up PSO Proxy, go here: https://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=14681&group_id=70811#Other %20Connection%20Methods ------------------ C) USING PSO PROXY ------------------ Using PSO Proxy is simple. First make sure that PSO Proxy is working correctly. To do this, go to this site: http://127.0.0.1:8080/ (the 8080 should be replaced with a different number, if you're using a different number than 8080 as your proxy port). If this URL takes you to a Japanese website, then PSO Proxy is working correctly and you're ready to use PSO Proxy. To turn on the program, first make sure that your GameCube and your Computer are both turned on, and on the same network. If your GameCube and PC aren't on the same network, first read part D of this section. Once you have turned on both machines, open psoproxy.exe on your computer and click "Start". Now, go back to your GameCube, and with Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 running, select "Website". You should be taken to a site different from the one that is usually displayed when you select "Website". If you're still taken to the default Sega site, make sure that your PC is still on and that PSO Proxy is still running. Once you're at the PSO Proxy site, click the button that says "Click here to upload snapshot". Select "Yes" when asked if you want to upload the snapshot from memory card slot B. If the upload is successful, you will see your snapshot on your TV screen, and the snapshot will appear in PSO Proxy's "Snapshots" folder. Once the snapshot is on your computer, all you need is a web host for it. If you have a broadband Internet Service Provider, then you may already have free webspace available to you. Most broadband ISPs provide a small amount of webspace for free as part of their service. If you don't have free webspace from your ISP, then you can still get your images hosted by signing up at sites such as www.geocities.com or www.angelfire.com. ------------------------------ D) SETTING UP A SIMPLE NETWORK ------------------------------ The quickest and easiest way to set up a network (so your GameCube and PC can communicate) is to buy a cable/DSL router. Believe it or not, this will be enough to get the job done. Once you have a router, setting it up is easy. The router has 1 WAN port and 2-4 LAN ports. Here's how to hook everything up right: - Plug in the router. - Run an ethernet cord from your cable/DSL modem into the WAN port of your router. - Run an ethernet cord from your PC's network card into the first LAN port of your router. - Run an ethernet cord from your GameCube's Broadband Adapter. - Press your router's reset button and restart your PC so the machines can recognize each other. Now you're ready to go! You can now not only use PSO Proxy, but you can also be online with your GameCube and your PC at the same time. ---------------------- 6) CLOSING/LEGAL STUFF ---------------------- This FAQ was written by, and is the property of me, Chris Dekker. If you'd like to use it anywhere else, feel free to do so, but please make mention of me somewhere. Please note that I did not create the PSO Proxy program mentioned in this FAQ. The program was created by the SourceForge.net team. All credit for the PSO Proxy program goes to them. Thanks to CJayC for hosting this FAQ, and providing a website where players can get game help for free. I hope this FAQ helped you! Please feel free to email me at chris_dekker@shaw.ca if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. If you have anything to add, I'll be sure to put it in the next version.