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A wide range of link kits
is available to connect the Cambridge Z88 Computer to other
computers, namely, Microsoft based PCs, the BBC Micro, Apple MACs,
Sinclair QLs, Commodore Amigas, Acorn Archimedes and of course,
other Z88s. We are also able to supply an
improved VT 100 Terminal Emulator for the Z88 supporting up to
38,400 baud.
All kits are supplied with a
made up serial lead (normally a 9 to 25 pin adapter lead), software on EPROM for the Z88, software on
3.5" disk for the other computer and instruction manuals.
Microsoft
Based PCs To Z88 Links
PCs have the widest range of
options as to how to connect to a Z88, you can use PCLink 2 (supplied in
the standard PC Link Kit), or the improved EazyLink. PCLink 2 is
for DOS or Windows 3.xx based machines - EazyLink is recommended for
later versions of Windows. There is also a further program which has
recently been made available once again, RangerLink (another DOS based
program), the original version of which does not work on machines with more
than a 486 processor. However, the latest RangerLink 2 software
overcomes this problem.
PC Link 2
PC Link 2 is the Cambridge
Computer PC link program. It allows you to transfer files from a Z88 to
any true IBM PC based computer as ASCII, or translate them from
Pipedream into Wordstar or Lotus 1-2-3. By downloading the correct
filters, the Wordstar file may then be imported into Microsoft Word.
Likewise Microsoft Excel can import Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet files. Alternatively, you can
download files from your fixed system as an ASCII file to the Z88, and
then translate them into the PipeDream word-processor as plain text. However, please note that PC Link 2 can only use COM 1 as the serial
port.
PC Link 2
RangerLink 2 is the Ranger Computers
PC link program, written in DOS. As with PC Link 2, RangerLink 2 provides a
wide range of options to allow you to transfer files from a Z88 to
any true IBM PC based computer, including various options not included in PC
Link 2, such as the ability to view files on the Z88 screen, mark multiple
files, or transfer whole directories. RangerLink 2 also allows you
to use any COM port and is around 4 times the speed of PC Link 2.
Eazylink by Rakewell Limited
Eazylink is a new file
transfer program that can send files to and from the Z88 and a
PC that is running Windows NT or 98. It is fast, easy to use
and copes with multiple files, and has a comprehensive on-line
help..
Overview
Eazylink works with
three devices. These are the:
- Z88
- PC
- and Eazylink's Backup Device.
In any of these
devices, you are able to delete, rename, send and receive files,
create and remove directories. All devices and
directories are displayed and managed using the familiar File
Explorer Interface introduced in Windows 95. Sending
and receiving files
You can select the
following to backup your Z88 (using Wild cards if required): - Select RAM Device
(Multiple RAM devices are selected one at a time).
- Select Directories
at a defined path
- Select Files in a
defined path
- Select a File (or
several Files)
Eazylink can translate files whilst the file is being
transferred from the Z88, using CR to CR/LF, ISO Latin 1 and IBM
codepage 865 (Scandinavian) or with a user defined translation
table. Because PC Link 2 is included in the package, the
Pipedream translations are also available. Viewer
A text file viewer is
included to enable a quick look at files from the Backup Device. Also included is the
ability to view PipeDream files in "PipeView," a
shareware Windows program from Dennis Gröning and a utility
which loads or view files straight into the PC PipeDream DOS
program. Backup
Device
Eazylink stores all
the Z88 files on the PC in a simple database which is
transparent to the user. A record is made when a file is saved
with its original filename and complete path. Two windows are
displayed. One is the Source and the other is the Destination
Device. A mirror image of your
Z88's file and directory structure is created allowing files to
fetched from the database when required. Additional mirror
images may be copied, by using different database filenames,
allowing different backup versions or backups from different
Z88s to be retained. Restoring of files
from the Backup Device re-installs original Z88 Date stamps on
up-loaded files. Directories are automatically created by the
EazyLink ROM on the Z88 in the RAM filing system. 12 character
file names are now supported (unlike PC Link II which only
supported the DOS format of 8.3).
Using the Commands
with the Source and Destination windows, files may be
reorganised into different directories within the Backup Device
itself. This powerful facility allows the Z88 user to organise
files without using the Z88 for the first time. Combined with
the Viewer, old files may be deleted or moved to different
directories, clearing more space for new files to be created. Other
Features: EazyLink
ROM The EazyLink ROM
emulates 100% and performs 25% faster than the original PC Link
ROM. Further, with the PC-LINK II emulation, you get transparent
linefeed conversion and ISO LATIN I/DOS codepage translation
during transfer!In other words, you're
still able to run the old PC-LINK II DOS program and PC
PipeDream when using the EazyLink ROM in the Z88.
BBC Micro Computer to Z88 Links
The
BBC Micro Computer was
produced by Acorn and was one of the most successful computers in the
1980s. It was designed to allow a series of expansions to be added
inside the computer, and with a built in BASIC, graphics, sound
and assembler, proved to be extremely popular - the BBC still
has a large following today. For £25
we can supply the original Cambridge Computer software to
transfer files between the BBC and the Z88 on disk and EPROM for
the Z88 and a made-up cable.
Apple Macintosh to Z88 Links
The Cambridge Computers Mac Link
program allows you to
transfer files from a Z88 to a Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE or Macintosh
II (as well as the later models) as ASCII, or translate them into
MacWrite files which are accepted by Microsoft Word, Word Perfect,
WriteNow, Fullwrite Professional and Lotus 1-2-3, and can be imported
into Pagemaker, Quark Xpress and Ready Set Go!
Sinclair QL to Z88 Links
The
Sinclair
QL was one of the brainchilds of Sir Clive Sinclair aimed at
the small business market. It forms a useful complement to the
Cambridge Z88 and files can be easily transferred between the
two computers with the use of a suitable serial lead. For £15,
we can supply a set of programs by Ivan Hall (Impex95)
and Dilwyn Jones (Archive to
Pipedream) to transfer files between the
Sinclair QL and the Z88, together with the appropriate lead (BT
style connector on QL end).
Otherwise, you may prefer to use the
Sector Software Program, Q-Link
Impex95
allows you to store Z88 files on a Sinclair QL disk and then
transfer them back to the Z88 at some time in the future.
You can also convert Pipedream files to plain text files for
editing or importing into the Quill word processor, as well as
send files directly through the QL to a printer connected to
it. Impex95 can even handle the files provided on QL
formatted disk by the Z88 user group, to allow you to import them onto the Z88. Plain text files can
also be sent from the Sinclair QL to the Z88 for importing into
Pipedream. This package also includes Dilwyn Jones' Archive to
Pipedream program which converts database files between the two formats.
Amstrad PCW to Z88 Links
The
Amstrad PCW was one of the most popular early business computers. For £20,
we can supply a package consisting of the leads and a Sector
Software program to connect the Amstrad PCW8256, PCW8512 or PCW9512 with a
CPS8256 serial interfacee to the Z88 and
transferring files between the two computers.
Commodore Amiga to Z88 Links
The
Commodore Amiga was one of
the most popular computers ever produced amongst early gaming
enthusiasts (probably only second the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) and
still retains quite a large following. For £30,
we can supply a package consisting of the leads and a Sector
Software program to connect the Commodore Amiga to the Z88 and
transferring files between the two computers.
Acorn Archimedes to Z88 Links
The
Acorn Archimedes was launched
in 1987 and was innovative to use a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set)
processor and had some compatibility with the BBC Micro. In 1988, RISC
OS was released, which is a multitasking operating system and graphical
user interface, supporting anti-aliased fonts and laser printers.
There is a Lindis
International program for connecting the Acorn Archimedes to the Z88 and
transferring files between the two.
You might also like to consider Z-Link
II from the Really
Good Software Company which enables you to connect a Z88 to any Acorn RISC
OS computer.
Cambridge Z88 to Z88 Links
The Cambridge Z88
lacks a built-in network port, but can use its serial port to link
to other Z88s. You just need the appropriate lead and the in-built software
Vision/L
Vision/L by Ranger Computers is a VT-100 terminal
emulator designed to replace the one provided built into the Z88
computer. Vision/L provides an RS-232-C interface and supports communication speeds up
to 38,400 baud.Display
Data is displayed on the Z88
screen (80 character 8 line) which acts as a 'window' into an internal
24-line VT100 screen. The user can move the 'window' using the cursor
keys, and also choose whether the window automatically follows incoming
data or remains fixed at a constant point in the internal screen. The full 24 line screen is
constantly visible as a 'pixel map' (a miniature representation of the
full 24-line screen complete with a cursor showing the current window
position). Keyboard
The full size VT100 terminal
has more keys than are available on the Z88. Vision/L emulates these
extra keys by using the Z88 <> and [] keys.
Function keys are obtained by
using the [] key. This displays the Z88 keyboard layout with the
function name for each key. Pressing any key then emulates the selected
function. The VT100 keypad keys are also
available to the user at any time by pressing the <> key in
conjunction with the relevant keypad key.
Emulation Features
The DEC VT100 terminal
represents a de-facto standard for screen formatting and keyboard
interpretation and is available as an interface option on a vast number
of mainframe, mini and micro-computer hosts. The standard is also used
widely in specialised electronic equipment where external interrogation
is required. The VT100 interface consists
of commands, or 'escape code sequences,' that are inserted into the
normal data stream in order to instruct the terminal on how and where to
display data. These sequences also control other functions in the
terminal, for instance the character codes to be returned when
certain keyboard keys are pressed.
Wherever practical, Vision/L
behaves in response to these commands exactly as a VT100 terminal would.
In cases where a particular command is not supported, Vision/L
recognises, but does not respond to, the command. Commands are only unsupported
where they are impractical in the Z88 hardware (such as smooth scroll).
RAM required
Vision/L will only run
on an
EXPANDED Z88, so you need at least a 128K RAM pack installed.
Please note that
due to difficulties in obtaining copies of this program on its own at a
reasonable cost, it is only available on one of Rakewell Limited's
compilation Flash EPROMs, Application 99 or
Application 2000.
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