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guide:beginner_guide [2023/10/02 05:20] – Fix red link ulde3guide:beginner_guide [2025/05/19 15:02] (current) – Snip year tag, not really relevant... ulde3
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 ^ Type | Guide | ^ Type | Guide |
 ^ Category | Other | ^ Category | Other |
-/*^ Author(s) | Unknown |*/ 
-^ Published | May 17th 2019 | 
-^ Last updated | September 23rd, 2023 | /*Uncomment if you update your guide, and add the date it was last updated*/ 
-|  Edits & additions welcome  || 
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
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 ===== How to install ghosts ===== ===== How to install ghosts =====
 ==== Baseware ==== ==== Baseware ====
-To run a ghost, a baseware is required. A baseware is a program that runs ukagaka, and serves as a sort of interface between the user and the ghost. There are several baseware, but [[baseware:SSP]] is the standard since all other known baseware are terribly out of date. See the [[info:baseware]] page for a list of other baseware.+To run a ghost, a baseware is required. A baseware is a program that runs ghosts, and serves as an interface between the user and the ghost. There are several baseware, but [[baseware:SSP]] is the standard since it is the most developed baseware as of writing. See the [[info:baseware]] page for a list of other baseware.
  
-SSP runs on Windows, and is compatible with versions of Windows from Windows 2000 all the way up through modern versions of Windows such as Windows 11. For Mac and Linux users, it is usually possible to run SSP via Wine, though with occasional odd behaviors.+SSP runs on Windows, and is compatible with versions of Windows from Windows 2000 all the way up through modern versions of Windows such as Windows 11. For Mac and Linux users, it is usually possible to run SSP via Wine, though with occasional odd behaviors. For Linux, see [[guide:running_ssp_on_wine_with_linux|Running SSP on Wine with Linux]]. Despite running a modified version of Linux, Chromebooks running ChromeOS do not have a known way to run ghosts at this time.
  
-If you do not have a computer, you might have some success trying the baseware Ukagaka for Android (which you can find on the [[info:baseware]] page), if you have an Android mobile device. However, note that it is not compatible with all ghosts, and as mentioned, any baseware besides SSP will be out of date and likely missing many features. +Ikagaka, a browser based baseware, functions on desktop and mobile web browsers. However, full functionality on mobile is not guaranteed. All other baseware publicly available run only on desktop.
- +
-If you do not have a computer or an Android device, then there are currently no known ways to run ghosts. Also note that Chromebooks running ChromeOS do not have a known way to run ghosts at this time.+
  
  
 ==== Installing SSP ==== ==== Installing SSP ====
-SSP should always be downloaded from its official website, http://ssp.shillest.net/ . On the left side are some big pink buttons, each with a top section and a bottom section. The first button is the "complete install package", which is what you need for a full installation of SSP. The top section of the button is the installer version, and the bottom section is a zip version, in case you would like to extract it manually.+SSP should always be downloaded from its official website, https://ssp.shillest.net/ . On the left side are some big pink buttons, each with a top section and a bottom section. The first button is the "complete install package", which is what you need for a full installation of SSP. The top section of the button is the installer version, and the bottom section is a zip version, in case you would like to extract it manually.
  
 {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_download_buttons.png}} {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_download_buttons.png}}
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 Choose either the installer or the zip package, whichever suits you best. This guide will assume you've downloaded the installer. Choose either the installer or the zip package, whichever suits you best. This guide will assume you've downloaded the installer.
  
-Create a folder where you would like SSP to be installed. __Do not leave it in your downloads folder,__ as this will create a mess and potential errors and loss of ghost data down the line. You want a location that isn't going to cause trouble for the program to run.+Create a folder where you would like SSP to be installed. __Do not leave it in your downloads folder,__ as this will create potential errors and loss of ghost data down the line. To pick a location that avoids common issues:
  
   * Do not leave SSP in your downloads folder.   * Do not leave SSP in your downloads folder.
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   * Do not put SSP into OneDrive, Google Drive, or any other cloud storage service, as this may interfere with things such as saving.   * Do not put SSP into OneDrive, Google Drive, or any other cloud storage service, as this may interfere with things such as saving.
  
-Ideal places to put your SSP folder may be on your desktop, or in your documents folder. Ensure that the folder has a plain name with no spaces, such as ``ssp``.+Ideal locations to put the SSP folder include your desktop or your documents folder. Ensure that the folder has a plain name with no spaces, such as ''ssp''.
  
-Once you have made your folder, move the SSP installer exe (or zip file) that you downloaded into it, and run it. Have it self extract into the folder you've just made. Once it's finished, you can double click the ssp.exe icon (which should have a bow and bell design) and SSP should start, displaying a ghost of a catgirl named Emily.+Once you have made your folder, move the SSP installer exe that you downloaded into it, and run it. Have it self extract into the folder you've just made. Once it's finished, you can double click the ssp.exe icon (which should have a bow and bell design) and SSP should start, displaying a ghost of a catgirl named Emily.
  
 {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_default_ghost_appearance.png?300}} {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_default_ghost_appearance.png?300}}
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 If you see a window that says "Fatal Error! Multi-Language System Initialization Failed!" when starting SSP, this means that the language packs have not been installed properly. Try redownloading SSP, and installing it again. If the problem persists, [[info:ukagaka dream team#where to find us|contact us]] and we may be able to help by sending the English files. If you see a window that says "Fatal Error! Multi-Language System Initialization Failed!" when starting SSP, this means that the language packs have not been installed properly. Try redownloading SSP, and installing it again. If the problem persists, [[info:ukagaka dream team#where to find us|contact us]] and we may be able to help by sending the English files.
 +
 +It can also mean that you have moved ssp.exe away from the files that SSP requires to run. As mentioned previously, you should create a folder somewhere specifically for SSP, and **ssp.exe must stay in that folder.** If you move it, it won't be able to access critical files that it needs to run. If you want to be able to launch it from another directory, be sure to **create a shortcut to ssp.exe**, not move the exe file itself.
  
 {{guide:beginner_guide:boot_error_multi_language_system_initialization_failed.png?300}} {{guide:beginner_guide:boot_error_multi_language_system_initialization_failed.png?300}}
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 If you see a window that says "Please do something.", this means that SSP is installed, but can't find where the ghosts and/or balloons (speech bubbles) are installed. If you have already downloaded the .nar files of a ghost and balloon you want to use, you can drag and drop them on this window to install them. If you see a window that says "Please do something.", this means that SSP is installed, but can't find where the ghosts and/or balloons (speech bubbles) are installed. If you have already downloaded the .nar files of a ghost and balloon you want to use, you can drag and drop them on this window to install them.
  
-Otherwise, click on the first button that says "Edit Directory List..." and direct it to the ``ssp/ghost/`` folder. The number of "Recognized Elements" should now be more than 0. Do the same with the second "Edit Directory List..." button, except direct it to the ``ssp/balloon/`` folder. Once both ghost and balloon show more than 0 recognized elements, you can click the "Continue" button to continue booting, and the error should not appear again.+Otherwise, click on the first button that says "Edit Directory List..." and direct it to the ''ssp/ghost/'' folder. The number of "Recognized Elements" should now be more than 0. Do the same with the second "Edit Directory List..." button, except direct it to the ''ssp/balloon/'' folder. Once both ghost and balloon show more than 0 recognized elements, you can click the "Continue" button to continue booting, and the error should not appear again.
  
 {{guide:beginner_guide:boot_error_nothing_in_directory.png?300}} {{guide:beginner_guide:boot_error_nothing_in_directory.png?300}}
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 ==== Initial setup and changing the language ==== ==== Initial setup and changing the language ====
-When Emily starts, she will speak to you in Japanese. She will open up the preferences window for you, and at the bottom you should enter the name and nickname you want ghosts to call you by. The information you put in the "User Information" box will be available for ghosts to use when referring to you, and some ghosts may make use of this if the developer programmed them that way, but other ghosts will ask you themselves. You can always change this information later by opening the preferences menu again.+When Emily starts, she will speak to you in Japanese. She should open up the preferences window for you. If she does not, right click on her, hover over the "Options" tab, and click on "Preferences...". 
 + 
 +At the bottom of the preferences window you should enter the name and nickname you want ghosts to call you by. The information you put in the "User Information" box will be available for ghosts to use when referring to you, and some ghosts may make use of this if the developer programmed them that way, but other ghosts will ask you themselves. You can always change this information later by opening the preferences menu again.
  
 {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_preferences.png?300}} {{guide:beginner_guide:ssp_preferences.png?300}}
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 Note that this setting only changes the language of the menus, not the language of individual ghosts. Emily will still speak in Japanese, and English speaking ghosts will always speak in English even if you change the menus back to Japanese. In order for a ghost to speak in another language, the developer would have to translate the ghost's dialogue and add in extra setup to allow language switching. Note that this setting only changes the language of the menus, not the language of individual ghosts. Emily will still speak in Japanese, and English speaking ghosts will always speak in English even if you change the menus back to Japanese. In order for a ghost to speak in another language, the developer would have to translate the ghost's dialogue and add in extra setup to allow language switching.
  
-There //are// ghosts that are set up to be multilingual, but most ghosts are not because it is a monumental effort. Especially with older Japanese ghosts, as many of them rely on references and concepts that are difficult to translate. There are some ghosts to make machine translating ukagaka easier, such as [[ghost:Ukatranslator]] and [[https://github.com/nikolat/ukagaka-simultaneous-interpreter/releases|simultaneous-interpreter]], but machine translation is terribly flawed, especially when it comes to casual writing as ghosts tend to be. So, your mileage may vary if you're looking to experience ghosts in other languages.+There //are// ghosts that are set up to be multilingual, but most ghosts are not because it is a monumental effort. Especially with older Japanese ghosts, as many of them rely on references and concepts that are difficult to translate. There are some ghosts to make machine translating ukagaka easier, such as [[ghost:Ukatranslator]] and [[ghost:simultaneous-interpreter]], but machine translation is terribly flawed, especially when it comes to casual writing as ghosts tend to be. So, your mileage may vary if you're looking to experience ghosts in other languages.
  
 For ghosts with translations, see the {{tagpage>Translated}} and {{tagpage>Translation Included}} tags. For ghosts with translations, see the {{tagpage>Translated}} and {{tagpage>Translation Included}} tags.
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 With very old ghosts, they may be distributed as a .zip file that has an installation of SSP bundled. **In these cases, it is recommended to unzip the file and move the ghost's folder into your new copy of SSP**, unless the ghost in question requires a particular version of SSP to run properly. There have been many feature additions and security fixes in SSP, so using the latest version is adviseable. With very old ghosts, they may be distributed as a .zip file that has an installation of SSP bundled. **In these cases, it is recommended to unzip the file and move the ghost's folder into your new copy of SSP**, unless the ghost in question requires a particular version of SSP to run properly. There have been many feature additions and security fixes in SSP, so using the latest version is adviseable.
  
-If you're having trouble getting a ghost to install, you can always do this manual installation method by extracting the .zip or .nar file (.nar files are just .zip files with a different extension, so you can simply rename them to end in .zip and they will be extractable), and moving the ghost's folder into ``ssp/ghost/``, alongside your other ghosts. Restarting SSP or reloading the list of ghosts after this should make the ghost appear in the "Change ghost" menu.+If you're having trouble getting a ghost to install, you can always do this manual installation method by extracting the .zip or .nar file (.nar files are just .zip files with a different extension, so you can simply rename them to end in .zip and they will be extractable), and moving the ghost's folder into ''ssp/ghost/'', alongside your other ghosts. Restarting SSP or reloading the list of ghosts after this should make the ghost appear in the "Change ghost" menu.
  
  
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 If you are looking for English ghosts, you can find all of the publicly shared English ghosts that we know about on this wiki's [[:ghost list]]. You can also browse other types of ukagaka content under the "Explore Content" section of the wiki's sidebar. If you are looking for English ghosts, you can find all of the publicly shared English ghosts that we know about on this wiki's [[:ghost list]]. You can also browse other types of ukagaka content under the "Explore Content" section of the wiki's sidebar.
  
-The wiki does not typically host downloads directly, so the download links on the various pages will instead take you to the official website/release post for that ghost, and you can download them from there.+The wiki does not host downloads directly, so the download links on the various pages will instead take you to the official website/release post for that ghost, and you can download them from there.
  
 If you are looking for Japanese ghosts, you might try [[http://ghosttown.mikage.jp/|GHOST TOWN]] or [[https://feed.ukagaka.net/|Uka Feed]]. Please note that these resources are not moderated by the Ukagaka Dream Team, and you may encounter mature content there. If you are looking for Japanese ghosts, you might try [[http://ghosttown.mikage.jp/|GHOST TOWN]] or [[https://feed.ukagaka.net/|Uka Feed]]. Please note that these resources are not moderated by the Ukagaka Dream Team, and you may encounter mature content there.
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 [[info:Freeshell|Freeshells]] exist if you cannot draw or do not want to draw, and there are multiple {{tagpage>template}}s available to do most of the code work for you. [[info:Freeshell|Freeshells]] exist if you cannot draw or do not want to draw, and there are multiple {{tagpage>template}}s available to do most of the code work for you.
  
-There are also many [[:guide list|guides]] available to help you through various aspects of ghost making, including a full [[https://ukagakadreamteam.com/wiki/info/template_walkthrough|ghost walkthrough]]. There is also official documentation available on [[https://ukagakadreamteam.github.io/ukadoc/manual/index.html|Ukadoc]].+There are also many [[:guide list|guides]] available to help you through various aspects of ghost making, including full walkthroughs. There is also official documentation available on [[https://ukagakadreamteam.github.io/ukadoc/manual/index.html|Ukadoc]].
  
  
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 {{guide:beginner_guide:windows_protected_your_pc.png?300}}  {{guide:beginner_guide:windows_protected_your_pc_2.png?300}} {{guide:beginner_guide:windows_protected_your_pc.png?300}}  {{guide:beginner_guide:windows_protected_your_pc_2.png?300}}
  
-It's up to you whether you want to trust it. Just make sure that if you are going to download SSP, you download it from its official website, http://ssp.shillest.net/ . The same goes for any ghosts or other items that you may download; make sure you are getting them from their official website or release post, and not someone's redistribution.+It's up to you whether you want to trust it. Just make sure that if you are going to download SSP, you download it from its official website, https://ssp.shillest.net/ . The same goes for any ghosts or other items that you may download; make sure you are getting them from their official website or release post, and not someone's redistribution.
  
  
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 ==== Ghosts are giving strange errors when started, or aren't functioning properly ==== ==== Ghosts are giving strange errors when started, or aren't functioning properly ====
-If you're running old Japanese ghosts, changes are they are using an old version of [[shiori:Satori]]. Replace their satori.dll file with a satori.dll from a modern ghost, and the errors should go away.+If you're running old Japanese ghosts, chances are they are using an old version of [[shiori:Satori]]. Replace their satori.dll file with a satori.dll from a modern ghost, and the errors should go away.
  
 If the errors persist, or you check on the errors and see the word "SERIKO", then this is a shell error, and simply a mistake left in by the developer. It will likely not affect the functionality of the ghost, and you should report the error to the developer of the ghost (if it is a ghost that is still recent and is being maintained). If the errors persist, or you check on the errors and see the word "SERIKO", then this is a shell error, and simply a mistake left in by the developer. It will likely not affect the functionality of the ghost, and you should report the error to the developer of the ghost (if it is a ghost that is still recent and is being maintained).
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 ==== Where can I find Mayura/Mikage Sakura/Alto/etc.? ==== ==== Where can I find Mayura/Mikage Sakura/Alto/etc.? ====
-Our community focuses on the creation of new ghosts and ghost resources, so we do not have much information on these ghosts. Distribution of some of them ended a long time ago, and as such we cannot provide downloads for them. You will have to seek out other sources.+Our community generally focuses on the creation of new ghosts and ghost resources, so we do not have much information on classic Japanese ghosts.
  
 +For Mayura, the original author rereleased the ghost in 2025, and the official source can be found [[https://suzuri.jp/junkers_high/digital_products/84470|here]].
 +
 +For Mikage Sakura, Materia is still available to download from [[http://usada.sakura.vg/|its distribution site]], and you may be able to get the ghost from its files.
 +
 +For any other classic ghost not listed here or on our [[:ghost list]], we likely do not have resources for it. Distribution of many classic Japanese ghosts ended many years ago, and the Ukagaka Dream Team doesn't permit redistribution against the author's wishes, so we cannot provide sources for them in those cases.
  
 ==== Is there an English translation of Mayura/Mikage Sakura/Alto/etc.? ==== ==== Is there an English translation of Mayura/Mikage Sakura/Alto/etc.? ====
-No, not unless you find it listed under our {{tagpage>Translation}} tag. You can attempt translating them yourself, but be aware that the coding language used for these old ghosts is usually one that does not take well to English text.+Not that we know of, unless you find it listed under our {{tagpage>Translated}} tag. 
 + 
 +You can attempt translating them yourself by editing their files, but this will likely require some basic knowledge of whatever [[info:SHIORI]] the ghost is using. Note that many ghosts do not permit redistribution or modification of their files, so make sure to check for permissions before considering distributing any translated files.
  
-You can also try machine translation via [[ghost:Ukatranslator]] or [[https://github.com/nikolat/ukagaka-simultaneous-interpreter/releases|simultaneous-interpreter]].+You can also try machine translation via [[ghost:Ukatranslator]], [[ghost:simultaneous-interpreter]], or [[ghost:my_own_translator]].
  
-{{tag>Guide 2019}}+{{tag>Guide}}

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