PlayStation Lightspan Online Connection CD

[Nz17]

I found this on the Internet Archive:


The PlayStation Online Connection CD was a joint effort between Planet Web and Sony to bring Internet to the original PlayStation (PSX /PS1). The disc offered web browsing and e-mail services through the disc in conjunction with Lightspan.com and their Ed-Mail sites.

The disc is a hastily modified version of the Sega Net-Link browser, also created by Planet Web. Traces of Sega Saturn texts, including which buttons to press on the Bookmarks page can be found on the PSX disc.

Never released publicly, the disc and the still unknown modem set-up was used in private beta testing in schools under the Lightspan Initiative.

There is no known documentation for the Online Connection CD, so we have created an ever-evolving and updating Guide for it here:
https://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/205836-lightspan-online-connection-cd/faqs/75191

You can read more about the beta disc here:
http://game-rave.com/?gamepress_reviews=lightspan-online-connection-cd

Source: https://archive.org/details/LightspanOnlineConnectionCD

[gbpxl]

Its interesting but Im glad that PS1 remained an offline console, ensuring its playability decades beyond its original lifespan

[Nz17]

Plus imagine browsing the Web with only 1 MiB RAM like the PS had!

[Aussie2B]

I wonder if it was at all in response to the 64DD and Randnet. But considering the 64DD never left Japan and flopped on top of that, there was no need for the PS1 to try to compete.

[Greg2600]

The games for Lightspan were, well, I'll let him explain.......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjodfe0lgE