Welcome!
Welcome to the EazyLink2 User Guide. This is displayed when you have selected the Help > User Guide menu item from the desktop application. You may also have arrived here through our project wiki navigation system. The words EazyLink and Eazylink2 are used interchangeability throughout this document.
This user guide is written for all the Desktop versions of the EazyLink. Where necessary, specific details of desktop operating system features will be mentioned by displaying the OS icon.
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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
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 the RS-232 serial port to connect with a cable to the Desktop Computer. Data transfer was achieved using its own Imp-Export program. Cambridge Computer produced BBC (for the BBC Micro) and PC Link (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) by third parties. Different programs use different protocols, that is the way they talk to each other. Here is a small summary of the path that Eazylink followed.
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 requires 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.
PC Link II was the answer to this, another DOS program but it required an additional popdown to be run on the Z88. This was supplied on a 32K EPROM 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 conversions as a separate operation. It was supported on the PC running from Windows 98 but was retired in April 2014 together with Windows xp.
Eazylink2 has been completely re-written for the Desktop. Computers running different operating systems, Windows XP and above, Mac and Linux can be used. The 'built-in' software protocol Imp-Export is supported allowing the user to start transferring files straight away. This means theoretically, the BBC Micro could also be used if connected to the Desktop using the BBC Link software stated above. On the Z88, the additional popdown will give you the full facilities of Eazylink2 and file checking if they are required. With OZ 4.5 running, the restricted transfer speed of 9600 baud on the standard Z88 has finally been broken. The theoretical maximum speed of 38400 baud has now been achieved. It is expected that any future enhancements to Eazylink will be done in this version only.
This user guide is organised in pages of topic.
Click on one of the links in the navigation bar to the left to read the page in this area.