January 11, 2000 Web posted at: 12:15 p.m. EST (1715 GMT) by The Freshman

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(IDG) -- As if the Dreamcast wasn't addictive enough, it shipped with a 56k modem and web software that opens up the world of the Internet.

If you've just received the game console as a Christmas present, or bought one at launch but were just too lazy to get it online before now, here's your chance. Because who knows when you may wind up at Grandma's house in the near future and you know she doesn't have a computer. In that case you've already got a portable web machine at the ready. We'll show you how to take advantage of this neat little feature, and give you a heads-up on what you can expect.

Browsing like a Dream

To do this, you'll need some information from your current ISP (your username, password, access number, Domain Name Server, email login name, email password, email address, POP server, and SMTP server). You simply plug this information into the Internet Connection and Email Account setting screens in the browser software, save them, and connect. [Remember that if you're visiting someone outside of your local area you may need a different phone number from your ISP to still make a local call.] If your modem successfully connects, you'll be able to enter the Sega Dreamcast Network or access your email.

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If you click on Enter (using your analog stick to move the cursor, and the X button to "click"), you'll zoom off to the DC Network registration page. This is where you can register your name and address for notification of future promotions and such. Press Start here, and you'll go to the control menu, from which you can access email, navigate the browser, access your address book and favorites, and change your options.

For now, click on the bar at the top of the screen that reads "Title," and type in the web address you wish to see. After some time loading, the page will eventually pop up.

The PlanetWeb browser works like the browser you're using to view this article, but it's much simplified. You can't view Flash animations, complex JavaScript or Java Applets and you can't download plug-ins or programs. Since your TV only allows a 320x280 screen resolution to view the entire page, you must use the cursor to scroll the screen about, or use the L and R triggers to scroll the page up and down.

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The browser can handle frames, but they'll be forced into the resolution of your TV screen, which will likely make the frames look poorly formatted. The low resolution of the screen makes sure that everything is readable, though, and a handy zoom-in feature (tap the Y button once or twice to zoom in on an area) helps even more, especially for small TVs.

You can probably expect some add-ons or improvements in the form of new browser software from Sega, but for now you'll have to stick with the bare-bones browser they gave you.

DreamMail

The biggest problem is the fact that you have to use your DC controller to "type," which is a big pain in the ass -- unless you have the Dreamcast keyboard, which is sold separately, but which you'll get for free if you sign up for the AT&T ISP service. Hrmm.

Street Fighter Alpha online

Sega's planning to fully implement their online gaming stuff in early 2000 … so you've got some time to drool before you can think about multi-player online action.

The best is yet to come