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How to Read Web Comics on a PlayStation Portable.
Tonight I tried a little experiment to see if I could use my Playstation Portable to read web comics and it worked out quite well. Here is a little tutorial to help you read your favorite web comic on the PSP.
First use a Website copier like WinHTTrack on Windows or DeepVacuum on Mac OSX. Download the site starting with the archive where all the comics are located. For this tutorial I used Diesel Sweeties and Cat and Girl. Let it run and it will take a couple minutes over broadband while the Website copier will download all the images and HTML pages on the website. While you are doing this you should seriously consider buying a T-shirt or other fine products from the web comic authors. I have both some Cat and Girl t-shirts and Diesel Sweeties t-shirts and they rock ever so hard.
Then you want to find the directory where all the comic strip images are stored. One of the problems is some web comic authors have broken down their comic archives by month and year so there is a plethora of folders containing those precious images. So do a localized search in that folder for the image file format. This will generate a list of all the comic strip files in that directory and then copy the results into a single directory. This is sort of a trick to bring them all to a single folder for image processing.
Now the Sony PSP can only read JPEG files and there are plenty of web comics in GIF and PNG so we will need to do a batch conversion into JPEG files. Make a empty directory called "Cleaned Comics" so your batch image program can deposit them before loading onto the PSP. You don't want to resize the web comics since most of the fonts are designed to be read at a 1-to-1 on-screen aspect ratio. If you were going to transfer a bunch of high-resolution digital images from a camera or photoblog you might want to sample them to 50% or so to save space on your Memory Stick. I am using the Mac OSX app Easy Batch Photo to convert all the comics to JPEG. Photoshop or any other major image editor should be able to do a batch conversion on a folder of images. I wish i could have found an easy way to do this on GIMP but I could not at this time. Make sure to use a compression ratio around 50% and don't save a thumbnail in your JPEG file.
Then you can enter your JPEG images in a PSP file manager like iPSP or PSPWare. I registered my copy of PSPware because of the tight iLife integration and it can encode ripped DVDs to PSP video MP4s. In Apple iPhoto 5 I created a PSP keyword and assigned all the images that I wanted to transfer to the PSP that keyword. It is a drag that Sony included a small ass 32 Meg Memory Stick Duo with the PSP. You really can't do much more than transfer some photos and save your games. The entire experience has convinced me that a big ass 1-Gig Memory Stick Duo would be worth the bucks.
Then sync your PSP and transfer your images over with the USB cable that Sony did not include with the PSP either. Or manually drop them off in the directory /PSP/PHOTOS/WEBCOMICS/ on the Memory Stick if PSP sync software is not your bag.
Then when you are in the PSP image viewer make sure that you are set at 100% and use the analog stick to pan around the image and use the L and R buttons to navigate to the next comic. It actually works out pretty damn well and I was able to fit all130 or so Cat and Girl comics on my PSP memory stick.
Once you do this is is pretty simple to do again in the future. I think that everyone should know how to do a batch image conversion.
It would be slick if Sony would allow other developers to make mini applications or plugins for the PSP via a Firmware update and a SDK. I am sure that there are plenty of software hackers that would love to put together an RSS reader, and web browser for the PSP. How cool would it be to subscribe to your favorite webcomics via a RSS feed and have it automatically updated from the PSP via Wifi without having to use a PC. Ah well one can dream. Until then you need to do some work-arounds in order to get your favorite non-game content on to the PSP.
Jake at March 30, 2005 
Nerd
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Comments
Hey this is on http://www.gizmodo.com/ and http://www.dieselsweeties.com/ ROCK!
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 30, 2005 7:48 AM
Must...resist...buying...a PSP.
After your review, being able to browse the internet, etc. I really want a PSP now.
Posted by: Ryo at March 30, 2005 9:04 AM
Jake
You kick ass. I'm so jealise(sp) of of all your new toys.
Once you have kids, no more toys.
Keep up the reviews and posts. eatn' all up
Scott
Posted by: Scott at March 30, 2005 10:04 AM
seems pointless for the trouble you need to go through, but if you must read the comic THAT bad
Posted by: ray at March 30, 2005 3:52 PM
Why can't these transfer programs to PSP work over WiFi? That would be more elegant than a friggin cable.
Posted by: umijin at March 30, 2005 5:42 PM
It is not about reading one comic at a time Ray. However it is cool to have several hundred comics on your Memory Stick so you can read the back catalog of your favorite web comic when you are not by a PC or sitting on the can.
They really do need to make a Web Browser for the PSP and give it the ability to run Java Applets of the Memory stick. That would rule.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 30, 2005 5:44 PM
Umijin I agree it would be better but Sony did not design the PSP to be synced over Wifi. They designed it be be mounted like a storage device or the memory sticks read in a reader.
I hope they release a Web Browser/PDA/Text Reader/Java Applet "Game" in the future.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 30, 2005 5:52 PM
There's a hidden web browser. ( http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=15041 )
Posted by: Matt at March 30, 2005 7:22 PM
Yeah I know about the Wipeout Pure browser. It is sort of like the mini-browser in some Sega Dreamcast games. I am talking like a version of Minimo Mozilla or Opera Mobile for the PSP. Now there was a PS2 Web Browser in Japan so I would import one if it was they only choice.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 30, 2005 9:38 PM
RSS feeds on a PSP is quite possible:
Posted by: theresa at March 31, 2005 12:12 PM
Damn! How do you find time to listen to your iPod, fool with your PSP, and still post articles to your blog?!?
seth
Posted by: seth at April 4, 2005 12:14 AM
Multitasking Seth. Multitasking. Don't forget keeping up with a girlfriend and five cats.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 4, 2005 8:17 AM
Hey, sucking down those websites like that is a bit extreme, don't you think? Why not upload Vacoom to your website and use that to gather comics? Vacoom is a free php webcomics reader that pretty much rules. Check my link to see my install of it. If your server supports php, it's just a matter of uncompressing the archive and uploading it. After that you can make little files to read any webcomic with an RSS feed (which is, like, all of them). Link to vacoom directly at this URL: http://www.rowlff.de/vacoom/
Posted by: shawn at April 6, 2005 9:56 PM
Dude, you got linked in a Wired article. Bravo.
Posted by: brendoman at April 7, 2005 3:47 AM
Sorry, here's the link:
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,67151,00.html
Posted by: brendoman at April 7, 2005 3:50 AM
Yeah I saw about the Wired article. How cool is that?
I have not tried Vacoom but the cool thing about reading web comics like this is that you can get through older comics with out being tied to the PC.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 7, 2005 8:24 AM
Whoah now it is on BBC News!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4420745.stm
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 7, 2005 8:29 AM
Dude, HTTrack has an option to place all media files in the same directory (seperate content from HTML) This helps in placing the images in a default folder without the extra find and move step.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Gildas at April 7, 2005 8:53 AM
Woah it is also on Reuters
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2005-04-05T190903Z_01_N04441068_RTRIDST_0_NET-MEDIA-VIDEOGAMES-PSP-DC.XML
Yeah I miss HTTrack. I used to use WinHTTRack and I should figure out how to get it to work under OSX Unix.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 7, 2005 9:02 AM
And Wikinews
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Hackers_crack_Sony_PSP_to_allow_Internet_chat%2C_web_surfing
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 7, 2005 11:05 AM
Whoah on a stick!
The BBC article was Slashdotted.
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/07/1645246&threshold=-1&tid=233&tid=222&tid=207
My hosting bills this month is going to be something.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 7, 2005 11:09 AM
I made a much better way to do the exact same thing. I wrote a applescript (bottom), then triggered it with ChroniX. The script automatically downloads foxtrot and Dilbert to separate folders, each of which have folder actions enabled. When a new comic is added, the folder action converts it into a JPG, which can then be set by PSPware or iPSP to sync with. This is completely automatic, and it should work great. I have yet to get a PSP myself, but my little brother gets one on this Sunday. I will test it then, but the parts I can do now all work brilliantly, including downloading and converting. I hope this helps you guys! By the way, this is all free software if you own a Mac, (not iPSP or PSPware of corse, unlike the other solution).
The download script:
set final_num to 50000 + ((month of (current date)) * 100) + (day of (current date))
set the target_URL to "http://home.overzealous.com:8080/comics/foxtrot/200" & final_num & ".gif"
set the destination_file to {"Macintosh HD:Users: (((your username))) :Desktop:Tim's Computer Stuff:Comics:FoxTrot:Fox" & (month of (current date)) & (day of (current date)) & ".gif"}
tell application "URL Access Scripting"
download target_URL to file destination_file replacing yes
end tell
set the target_URL to "http://home.overzealous.com:8080/comics/dilbert/200" & final_num & ".gif"
set the destination_file to {"Macintosh HD:Users: (((your username))) :Desktop:Tim's Computer Stuff:Comics:Dilbert:Dilbert" & (month of (current date)) & (day of (current date)) & ".gif"}
tell application "URL Access Scripting"
download target_URL to file destination_file replacing yes
end tell
Now the convert to jpeg actions are included in the OS, so just controll click the folder your downloading to, and enable them. Assign the convert to jpeg in the "Configure folder actions." The above script is written by me, Tim O'Brien. Each image is saved with the date, so you have the comics for the past days, not just the current day. You need to edit and create your own folders, and enter those paths in the correct places. That is it for now...
Posted by: Tim O at April 8, 2005 6:31 PM
That is freaking Sweet Tim. Could you put it in a .SIT file for us?
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 9, 2005 12:51 AM
aw yeah thats a little confusing. prob not worth it to look at comic. i have porn on mine. lol :)
Posted by: kyle d at April 11, 2005 2:21 PM
Well you could use this to get any collection of images off a website and put it on a PSP.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 11, 2005 9:39 PM
It's a little odd that the PSP doesn't allow you to view your own PNG files, because all the icons and backgrounds used for the system's game saves are IN PNG format. Seriously, connect your PSP to your computer and see for yourself!
JR
Posted by: ManekiNeko at April 28, 2005 12:53 AM
Well sony is working on an update to the PSP bios so I hope the would add support for PNGs. I mean PNGs are royaltee free so it would not cost them a thing.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 28, 2005 10:33 AM
Good idea! After reading your review I've bought a PSP.
Posted by: Richardson Stephanie at September 27, 2005 1:50 AM
I have the internet browser sign on my PSP but every time I type in a website it says error 89523647 or something like that or 'cant find access point' what do i do
Posted by: Axle 26 at November 22, 2005 5:53 PM
hey can you help me to put wed internet on my psp
Posted by: marco at December 3, 2005 10:39 AM
i want the web browser on my psp and i want to know how
Posted by: joseph at December 30, 2005 2:21 PM
Hi! I would like to know if there's a way to see GIF images, because I would like to get the entire collection of Bob and George Comic Strip and some of them are animated GIFs. Is it possible?
Posted by: Fabiano Porto at February 1, 2007 12:03 PM
hi
i will u to teach me about psp game
am a nigerian
thanks
Posted by: Anyika at November 24, 2007 11:10 AM
tee hee hee, good work their son, makes the psp world a better place for all of us.
Posted by: Ghooste at December 12, 2007 12:51 PM
