Welcome!
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This user guide is being written at the moment, while we work on the Beta releases. We anticipate to have this work completed when EazyLink2 has reached final release of V1.0 . |
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During the life of this product, different Desktop operating systems have been used to write up the User Guide. These images of windows and messages have changed. These images have not been updated, so they may look different, but the words and function remain the same. |
Feedback is most welcome, to help us improve EazyLink
History, Introduction &
IntroductionNow
In 1987, there were many computers, but no established standard to connect them together, unlike today with the internet. The Z88 connected to other computers , using a few commands for data transfer using its using the RS-232 serial port to connect with a cable to the Desktop Computer. Data transfer was achieved using its own Imp-Export program. BBC Cambridge Computer produced BBC (for the BBC Micro) and PC Link by Cambridge and the (for the IBM PC) which included the cable and software to run on these computers. Other computers were supported Amiga, Nimbus and QL (just to mention a few) were supported by third parties.Transferring files using this is reliable, but it by third parties. Different programs use different protocols, that is the way they talk to each other. Here is a small summary that the communication path followed and where Eazylink fitted into it.
PC Link was the first program from Cambridge Computer. It was designed for the IBM PC running under DOS. The software supplied came on a 5-1/4" disk and the connecting cable was the 9/25 'D' type. It used Imp/Exp, the 'built-in' popdown on the Z88.
Z88 BBC Link also from Cambridge Computer, was designed for the BBC Micro. The software supplied came on a different type of 5-1/4" disk.The connecting cable was the 9 'D' and a 'Domino' 5 pin DIN Plug. It also used Imp/Exp, the 'built-in' popdown on the Z88.
Imp-Export is reliable, but is slow, limited in functions, and needed both keyboards, Z88 and the other computer to be used at the same timerequires the user to have access to both the Z88 and PC or BBC keyboards to issue the commands for transferring files. Larger memory devices and the use of directories needed more commands. Cambridge bought out
PC Link II and Mac Link. These was the answer to this, another DOS program but it required an additional program for popdown to be run on the Z88 which . This was supplied on a 32K EPROM pack, but unlike Imp-Export, all commands were sent from the PC or Mac.Eazylink introduced faster transfer, additional commands, character translation card labelled PC LINK. All commands were sent from the PC Computer as additional protocol commands were used. It was supplied initially with the 9/25 'D' type connecting cable but later on with the 9/9 'D' type as more PCs moved over to the smaller size 'D' plug.
MAC Link used the same 32K EPROM card only labelled MAC LINK. All commands were sent from the MAC. It was supplied with the 9 'D' type to an 8 pin mini plug to fit in the MODEM port.
Eazylink used a different 32K EPROM card that was compatible with PC and MAC Link, introduced faster transfer and additional commands. Character translation, required when using the foreign Z88s, was done on the Z88 during the transfer eliminating the need to conversions as a separate operation, but it . It was only supported on the PC running from Windows 98 to xp. There were other attempts to use it with the Mac, but these were not successful.The original Eazylink software doesn't run on Windows 7, so it has been rewritten here as Eazylink2 with Imp-Export integration so that initially computers running Windows, Mac and Linux may now be used with the Z88.but was retired in April 2014 together with Windows xp.
Eazylink2 is supplied either on a 32K EPROM card or in OZ 4.5+ for the Z88. The additional popdown gives the full facilities of Eazylink2 and file checking if they are required. When used with OZ 4.5 or above, the restricted transfer speed of 9600 baud on the standard Z88 is broken. The theoretical maximum speed of 38400 baud is achieved. Future enhancements to Eazylink2 will be done in the OZ version only.
Download the re-written Desktop software from our EAZ page, for different operating systems. Windows (XP and above), Mac and Linux are supported. The 'built-in' Z88 software protocol Imp-Export is there, allowing the user to start transferring files straight away (with the correct cables). This means theoretically, the BBC Micro could also be used if connected to the Desktop using the BBC Link software stated above.